Get Aero On The Cheap

Ways to make your set-up more aerodynamic without breaking the bank.

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The word aerodynamic suggests money. For a lot of people, it most likely conjures up images of budget-breaking testing with expensive-sounding kit; smoke coiling over perfectly finished carbon-fibre as a cohort of white-coated scientists tinker assiduously to find the optimum shape of a bike and rider.

But improving aerodynamics need not cost the earth. Indeed, many adjustments can be made for little or no outlay. From DIY aero wheels, to making sure that you hold the optimal aero position for the duration of an event you’re planning to race, our panel of experts present their tips for aero on the cheap.

As Xavier Disley, director at the performance specialist company AeroCoach, says: “Everyone wants to have a flashy new bike or bars, but if you’re a 6ft, 75kg rider then your body is going to create five times more drag than your bike.”

This fundamental is not going to change, so before you spend your hard-earned cash on expensive equipment and testing, look at what you can do for free or next to nothing...

Get your position right: “When we work with athletes, we look at drag first,” says Xavier Disley, “before focusing on things like helmets and skinsuits. Everyone’s best aero position is different, but as a starting point you don’t want your head stuck up, although you do need to be able to see where you’re going; and you want your elbows tucked, but not uncomfortably so. If you do have an aero bike, you need to be able to hold your position for long as required. Often people make the mistake of training on their [usual] bike and when they switch to their aero bike the position feels alien. So training on the aero bike in the aero position is key, as is using your racing kit. And do some full efforts outdoors, testing your race-day set-up. That’s free.”