Re: [CR] Wider = faster

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme)

In-Reply-To: <8CD9169BFAE95B0-11C0-506D@webmail-d055.sysops.aol.com>
References: <AANLkTind-O9+XRPpNJEqaofPHNf+NKAZ=Lv=12xdpMTw@mail.gmail.com> <540B44BC13C047FD9E94D3C220C9DF9A@oscar>
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 22:38:19 -0700
From: "John Wood" <braxton72@gmail.com>
To: loudeeter@aol.com
Cc: julianshapiro@gmail.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, frogeye@porterscustom.com
Subject: Re: [CR] Wider = faster


On Wed, Feb 2, 2011 at 8:29 PM, <loudeeter@aol.com> wrote:
> I think all the studies have shown that the aerodynamic resistance
> increases somewhere around 20 MPH so that the wider tire loses that roll
> fast advantage.
>

When you factor in the rider on the bike, churning legs and all, do you really think that the 5mm difference in tire width between a 23 and 28mm tire is going to make any measureable difference in aerodynamic resistance? I would be very surprised. What I have seen in aerodynamic tests is that it's not the tire width that matters, it's the transition from tire to rim. Fat tire plus narrow rim = Bad. Narrow tire + narrow rim = Good. Fat tire + Fat rim = Good.

John
--
John Wood
Open Road Bicycles
Missoula, Montana, USA