Cycling Aerodynamics

Bicycling is a means of transportation and a fun recreational activity. But it''s also a sport. Today, competitive cyclists are constantly looking to gain an edge. To that means, scientists and athletes have studied, and are constantly attempting to improve, the importance of cycling aerodynamics.

In simple terms, as a bike and its rider move along the road, air moves against them, exerting a force that increases with speed. As the air collides with the exposed surfaces of the bike and the rider, the force creates resistance, or drag, making the cyclist work harder to move forward.

Why is aerodynamic design so important to bicycling? Because the faster you go, the stronger the drag becomes. This drag can be reduced, however. Read on to learn all about cycling aerodynamics and to learn how to make a bike more aerodynamic!

Cycling Aerodynamics: Rider Position and Clothes

The position of the rider on the bike greatly affects the drag. To minimize drag, a rider should balance his body relative to the natural angle of the bike seat. His torso should be horizontal and his chest and back parallel to the ground.

Narrowly spaced elbows and pedaling high with the knees will also decrease drag and improve performance.

A rider can also improve his aerodynamics by wearing the appropriate bike clothing. Cycling experts recommend the following:

• an aerodynamically designed helmet
• a one-piece Lycra skin suit with short or long sleeves
• gloves with Lycra backs
• Lycra shoe covers or tape over shoelaces
• smooth nylon socks.

In addition, a cyclist can reduce drag by shaving his legs.

How to Make a Bike More Aerodynamic

A bike can feature an aerodynamic design to reduce drag. Here are a few ways in which bikes can become more aerodynamic:

• frame: The weight and design of a bicycle''s frame has a significant effect on drag. For time trials and triathlon riding, frames are designed to rotate the rider forward. This puts the rider in a lower position, thus improving his aerodynamics.
• handlebars: Handlebars act as the steering wheel of a bicycle, used in conjunction with a rider''s balance and center of gravity. They come in a variety of forms including drop handlebars, flat or upright handlebars, cruiser handlebars, triathlon handlebars and more.As their names indicate, different types of handlebars are used for different types of riding. The purpose of the handlebars is to allow a rider to steer while maintaining optimal aerodynamics and comfort.
• wheels: There are different schools of thought on the importance of wheel aerodynamics. While lighter wheels can help a rider accelerate more quickly, once the rider has reached a cruising speed, the lighter weight of the wheels no longer offers an advantage. As a result, lighter wheels are helpful for certain types of riding and racing but are not necessarily beneficial for long-distance events.The type of wheel chosen will depend on the terrain on which the cyclist will be riding. For example, aerodynamic wheels are beneficial until the rider reaches a grade of four percent. At that point, aerodynamic wheels lose their advantage and lighter wheels prevail.

Resources

Comeau, Bernie (n.d.). From the Field: Wheels. Retrieved December 7, 2006, from the UltraCycling Web site.