Improving your cycling aerodynamics doesn’t mean you need to buy a completely new ride. With a few strategic upgrades, you can significantly reduce your drag and increase your speed, ultimately saving valuable watts on every ride.
Aerodynamic drag on a bicycle refers to the resistance you experience due to air moving against your body and the bike as you lay down the power. Aero drag is a significant factor affecting a cyclist's speed and efficiency, particularly at higher velocities. The drag you personally feel can be broken down into two main components:
Aerodynamic drag is typically measured using wind tunnel testing or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Here’s how each method works:
By understanding and optimizing aerodynamic drag, cyclists can enhance their performance, especially in competitive settings.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best and most cost-effective upgrades you can make to enhance your cycling performance, along with estimated watt savings for each.
One of the most significant contributors to aerodynamic drag comes from the rider's body. Aero-fitting clothing is designed to hug your body closely, allowing air to flow more smoothly around you. These garments often feature longer sleeves that reach toward the elbow, maximizing coverage and using materials that are faster than bare skin. Additionally, many aero clothing options have ribbed surfaces, which help reduce the turbulence caused by airflow around the body.
Wearing aero clothing can save you between 15-30 watts, especially at higher speeds [1]. This reduction in drag can translate to substantial time savings over long distances.
The CHPT3 Aero Road Jersey offers an aero race fit. Castelli, Poc, and other brands also have racer-fit options. As long as your jersey doesn’t flap in the wind when you are riding, then you should be seeing an aerodynamic improvement!
One of the most effective—and cost-free (!)—ways to improve your aerodynamics is by practicing a more aerodynamic riding position. While it may take some time to adjust, mastering this position can drastically reduce your drag.
By adopting a proper aero position, you can save approximately 20-30 watts [2]. This adjustment can be a game-changer for your overall performance.
Investing in an aero helmet can enhance your speed while ensuring safety. These helmets are specifically designed to be more streamlined than traditional options, minimizing drag. While some models may compromise ventilation, the aerodynamic benefits often outweigh this trade-off.
An aero helmet can save you about 5-10 watts, especially at speeds exceeding 25 km/h (15.5 mph) [3].
There are a lot of options to choose from, the POC Omne Air is a good all-around helmet which balances aerodynamics and ventilation, but there are more options like the Abus Gamechanger 2.0 or even the Poc Procen Air which has a built-in visor if you plan to hit the time trial or triathlon course.
Though they may seem like a minor detail, aero socks can contribute to your overall aerodynamic profile by reducing drag around your ankles. There has to be a reason the UCI cracked down on sock length, right?
Wearing aero socks can save you around 1-3 watts [1], which adds up over long rides.
Aero socks are one of the most affordable upgrades, often priced under $50. The Silica Aero sock offers a good fit with aerodynamic benefit. As well as Castelli’s FastFeet socks.
While tire choice isn't a direct aerodynamic upgrade, it plays a crucial role in your overall speed. Selecting tires with lower rolling resistance can significantly improve your efficiency and it's one area where recent research is showing that the benefits of wider (and thus wider frontal area), more comfortable tires, actually trump the aero benefits gained by going skinnier.
Switching to a set of tires with lower rolling resistance and lower pressures can save you approximately 5-15 watts [4], depending on the terrain.
Quality tires that balance aerodynamics and comfort are available at reasonable prices. Popular options include the Continental GP5000 AS which is a good all-around tire, and faster race-ready options would include the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR or the Enve Race Day Tire. Pro tip: tubeless has also shown to be faster than tubed tires.
Aero handlebars, particularly “flat top” designs, provide a more aerodynamic profile by reducing drag around the front of the bike. While this is one of the more expensive upgrades, it remains more cost-effective than investing in new carbon wheels or an entirely new bike. The design also enhances airflow around the bike. A narrower handlebar can also reduce your frontal area.
Switching to aero handlebars can save you around 10-15 watts [1], which is especially beneficial during long, sustained efforts.
Prices for aero handlebars vary, but you can find options that provide excellent aerodynamic benefits with your desired width and flare. Options from Enve include the SES Aero handlebar and the SES AR Integrated bar and stem. Options from Zipp include the SL-80 Race handlebar and the SL-70 Aero handlebar.
It may sound surprising, but shaving your arms and legs can offer a significant aerodynamic advantage when cycling. While it might seem like a cosmetic choice, removing body hair actually reduces air resistance, allowing you to move more efficiently through the wind. The hairier you are, the more drag you generate, which means the greater the potential benefit when you shave. And the best part? It’s a simple and completely free (almost - you should buy a dedicated razor) way to gain extra speed.
Shaving your arms and legs can save you around 10 to 15 watts at typical racing speeds (35-40 km/h). While that might not sound like much on its own, it becomes a substantial advantage when combined with other aerodynamic improvements like wearing a tight-fitting kit or using aero handlebars. Over longer rides or races, those watts add up, potentially saving you valuable time and energy. For a competitive cyclist, shaving alone could mean the difference between keeping up with the peloton or being left behind.
Improving your cycling aerodynamics doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavour. With a combination of properly fitting clothing, practicing your position, and strategic upgrades like an aero helmet, socks, and handlebars, you can effectively reduce drag and enhance your performance - and all of these solutions don’t involve buying a brand-new bike!
Collectively, these upgrades can lead to savings of over 60 watts, making a substantial difference in your cycling efficiency and speed. Whether you’re gearing up for a race or simply looking to improve your rides, these modifications can help you get the most out of every pedal stroke.
By investing wisely and making the most of what you have, you can achieve better performance on the bike while staying within your budget. Happy cycling, and enjoy the speed!
