Nope, definitely not. That is wasted space. The back is for holding a backpack with a hydration reservoir. Anyway, I’m trying to gain strength and lose weight, not reduce my times by .02%.
Believe it or not, hydration packs have been shown to reduce aerodynamic drag for cyclists. There was a brief moment in pro cycling where riders wore them during time trials to shave a few tenths off their time. Strangely, the benefit of wearing one backward (on your chest) is a little bit better than wearing it on your back.
Needless to say, the UCI quickly banned hydration packs altogether.
'cause the UCI are dickheads and want to live in 19…f@#k!ng…10. Let fixate on sock height, frame weight, aero tuck and shifter angles, but ignore road furniture, dickhead crowds assaulting riders and fine riders when the organisers cant organise (looking at you Vuelta)
You’re preaching to the choir, my friend.
Strangely, the benefit of wearing one backward (on your chest) is a little bit better than wearing it on your back.
That’s fascinating and makes me wonder if wearing both at once was tested. I can’t imagine it’d be comfortable though.
They definitely did try both but I don’t know if anyone was ever cheeky enough to wear that setup in an actual race.
Currently they’re putting race radios in the front, centered side to side, during TTs. Rumor has it that the UCI has already had to tell a couple of teams to stop using extra tape and stuff to embiggen the radio lump.
I feel like the bigg trux klan will just roll extra coal if they see you wearing this honestly idiotic lookig accessory.
Seems like you’d get blown over if there’s any crosswind…
Depends on how well it manages to reduce drag. Make me get 5 more kph and we’re talking
Just fill that puppy with helium
Get a recumbent instead, or for maximum speed gains, a velomobile.
Is this going to help my times on my Specialized S-Works Aethos? I’ll do anything to shave off a single second. I shave my pubes into an aero shape already, so I’m running out of ways to optimize my aerodynamics.
Remove saddle for XTRA AERO!
Heh, is there a bcj on Lemmy?
First rule of BCJ is you do not talk about BCJ.
I removed the saddle and replaced it with a dildo. 10/10 would recommend.
Not sure how much safety this really adds…
Any safety it adds would probably be immediately offset by the added dangers of drivers being unable to see or steer effectively due to uncontrollable laughter.
The guy on the left is trying so hard 🤣
Isn’t that going to function like a sail if there’s any crosswind? We’re going to see cyclists floating through the air screaming and looking stupid while doing it lol
Where I am, they’re adding to their lycra getup - not content with having “Lidl” plastered across their arse as well as the “I shat myself” shorts bulge, they’ve added fishnet socks, and those television-sunglasses
Pretty sure they’re not worried about looking more stupid lol
If your bike setup costs less than 7K, can you even honestly say you’re a cyclist?
HELLZ YEAH BROTHERS, SEND IT!
I would enjoy seeing that
I would think so.
Anything that makes a cyclist look even more fucking ridiculous gets a green light for me. Grown men dressed in spandex with sperm shaped helmets is already hilarious. Add to that a fucking binbag…
What’s nuts is they can spend thousands for the look.
Out of curiosity what is in the approved list of attire that you think is okay for “grown men” and what is in the unapproved list?
Approved atire is a t-shirt and shorts. Or a coat and pants if it’s cold out. Or nude if you’re in one of those nude rides.
I think what they’re getting at is the humor in seeing folks roll up decked out like they’re about to compete in the Tour de France. It’s kind of like someone showing up for a casual game of backyard football in full pads, or rolling up to a friendly baseball game with a uniform and eye black like they’re about to hit a walk-off homer in Game 7. It’s a bit “try-hard,” if you will.
And then there’s the crowd that’s a little chonky but laser-focused on shaving 200 grams off their bike instead of maybe passing on that second burger. I mean, priorities, right?
But, hey, honestly, I don’t care. I ride with people who go full try-hard, and yeah, it can look a little overcooked—especially when I’m leaving them behind in the last 20 miles while they’re moaning about the pace—but at the end of the day, people can wear what they want. And they can feel however they want to feel about it, too.
Personally, I save the full kit for race day, but to each their own. Just wear what’s comfy and keep it rolling.
Thats the minority, also bike specific clothes make riding comfortable, and they are not more expensive then other specielized gear for any other sport. In the same time they are not mandatory, there are countless tests showing you can ride just as good in street clothes as in a bike kit. The issue comes when you want to go for a 1+ hour ride, especially in windy conditions and it gets uncomfortable.
Where you draw the line what sport gear is acceptable? Some people go to bars in football shirts or wear basketball gear as streatwear, skateboarding shoes, etc.
If someone openly hates a group of people, because they wear tight elastic clothing there are other problems in my opinion.
Well I’m not the original poster, and I didn’t express “hate” for anyone, but it seems pretty clear that “the minority” of people that you’re referencing is the specific people he was criticizing.
Sure thing, didn’t mean to attack you. I was referring to the original poster as well, just saw your interpretation what the OP comment meant.
Ah gotcha, my bad
Spandex and cushion are comfy. If its a long and/or wet ride, I’m gonna go comfy since I have to change at the end anyways. Granted, I don’t go for things like aerohelmets, but also can’t remember ever seeing one IRL outside like bike events with like 100s of cyclists.
Yeah that’s why I said wear what’s comfy and keep it rolling.
I’m not here to police anyone’s styling. I’m not exactly a snazzy dresser myself. If you re-read my post I’m actively encouraging alternative clothing. I just think spandex is a wild choice. I get you can go faster…
I can confirm that the majority if the cyclist community doesn’t give a flying fuck about your opinion.
Uh oh, someone touched a nerve lol
Lol indeed
When you getting your aerosail backpack?
Still saving up for a sperm shaped helmet, to look extra ridiculous. I’m such a classic cyclist…
Lol you fucking pussy. Getting all upset.
:(
Shaving your legs is free.
How would this reduce drag? Genuinely curious.
My understanding is that it has to do with form drag – aka pressure drag – which results in vortices forming in the “separation region” directly behind an airfoil. Or in this case, a rider. Essentially, the swirling of air behind the rider is turbulent – which is why a hoodie might flop all over the place – and that causes energy to be lost.
This video on Nebula (and YT as well) describes pressure drag at about the 02m30s mark for a sphere. But this graphic from Skybrary also shows the problem:
By providing a smooth surface for air to “cling” to, where it would otherwise form vortices in the separation region, should reduce form drag, although it will cause additional induced drag (aka friction with the new surface). But induced drag scales with speed and at cycling speeds, that’s less a problem than it would be at airplane speeds.
A related drag-reducing device has been used for semi-truck trailers, and those have really been proven to reduce fuel consumption. Although the Wikipedia article does not describe in detail the aerodynamic principles at play.
Here’s one site that has info on skirts (under the trailer to reduce side flow) and tails at the back. There’s an image of a wind tunnel view that gives a good idea what it helps with. Those vortexes at the back of a flat trailer suck a lot of power.
I’d much rather have my shirt going all floppy flappy in between the vortices and keeping my back cool than shaving 2 seconds off my relaxation cruises.
I know some people who would jump on this 100% and I should probably send them the article…
My genuine thanks for taking the time to craft your lovely reply.
So would this also reduce the benefits of “catching drift” behind another rider?
This is a good question and I don’t really know how this device would affect drafting and related manoeuvres. But if I had to guess, drafting behind a lead cyclist should still be beneficial, but the “zones” where it works might change.
So for example, the optimal distance lee-ward of a lead cyclist might become shorter or longer. Longer could mean more space to vie for that position directly behind the lead. But shorter might mean it’s impossible to draft without crashing into the lead.
Side-to-side drafting distances might also be affected, like how birds travel in a vee-shape. Maybe the vee would become wider? That might not be beneficial, though, if it’s so wide that it’s impossible to stay on the racecourse.
TL;DR: I have no idea, and aerodynamics are hard. That’s why I’m intrigued by the field.
Just guessing: trying to minimize vortexes and turbulences.
Nope! Nope, nope, nope… errrr NOPE!
Reminds me of those Civic owners who add a bunch of mods to make it more aerodynamic
Das a garbage bag man
No. I probably should wear those padded crotch pants and clip-in shoes when I do distance but I’m low tech with biking. It’s all about the journey.
For my touring/gravel bike-packing set up, I usually wear bibs under a light-weight pair of shorts and shirt and trail-running shoes. For road bike, I go clipless with lightweight shorts/shirt. Usually we go 50mi or less on road rides, so I don’t really feel like I need a chamois. I have SQ Labs saddles on my bikes. Since I switched, the bike-short padding basically became unnecessary.
Yeah, that’s the one thing a pro biker friend gave me once, a very nice and very expensive bike seat. They look the same but makes a big difference
Yeah, I just wear regular clothes and hiking shoes.
The padded pants are non-negotiable to me… I do use clip-ons but cold probably live without it.
