"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Do/Have you raced on an Aero Frame? A few questions

I am shopping around for a new frame or complete bike and have noticed a lot of frames coming out that are not just round tubes anymore.

I am looking for input from anyone who has ridden or raced an aero frame. A few questions for you:

1) What brand was it?
2) How did you like it?
3) Type of racer?
3) Advantage/Disadvantage?
4) Stiffness?
5) Did you crash on it, please describe crash, is it still alive :)
6) Do you believe in the hype, or is it just companies BSing their way through this?
7) All in all, what do you think? did you notice the difference? anything else to add?
8) Is the glass half empty or half full?? :)


Unfortunately I am somewhat brand limited because I can get fisher/trek, blue, fuji, ridley, and kestrel at a more affordable price. Originally I wanted the Fisher Cronus (and still an option for me, I think) because it was a great all around bike, but the Cronus tubing is Ginormous and blue claims their AC1 is ~17% more aero efficient in opposition to their RC8 which has super tiny round tubing, especially in compare to the GF Cronus. I think the three bikes I am deciding are between the GF Cronus, Blue AC1, and Fuji SST2.0 because with either of these I will have enough to get a set of Zipp 404's. The reason I am considering the GF is because I have taken it on a long test ride and it is very stiff and comfortable AND I can get it now. The other two bikes are not in yet and I will likely not get them until near spring next year.

Wow I hate when given so many choices, I am terrible at it. Anyway thank you for taking the time to read and also thanks for your time if you reply.

get the one that matches your team kit.

Do you ignore all research and advertisement as bs or do you just not like searching?

Why don't you go ride a few bikes and see if they're stiff enough for you?
Crashes depend on type of impact and luck. A steel bike can die if it falls over wrong, so it really depends. The crash question is annoying. If that's what it comes down to, then buy something cheaper.

It's all hype, aero wheels don't matter, and the ridley noah sucks.
Aero frames are a farce, that's why tt's are still done on bikes with round tubes and clip on aerobars. I.e. aero doesn't do anything.

There's all the info you need.

Real answer:

Read the test results, read the reviews for frames, and buy the one you like. They're all going to be aero, we can't quantify how much so for each. Read the wind tunnel results.

buy the one that makes you smile.

Do you ignore all research and advertisement as bs or do you just not like searching?

Why don't you go ride a few bikes and see if they're stiff enough for you?
Crashes depend on type of impact and luck. A steel bike can die if it falls over wrong, so it really depends. The crash question is annoying. If that's what it comes down to, then buy something cheaper.

It's all hype, aero wheels don't matter, and the ridley noah sucks.
Aero frames are a farce, that's why tt's are still done on bikes with round tubes and clip on aerobars. I.e. aero doesn't do anything.

There's all the info you need.

Real answer:

Read the test results, read the reviews for frames, and buy the one you like. They're all going to be aero, we can't quantify how much so for each. Read the wind tunnel results.

This guy is obviously a glass half empty person. No offense but your post does not help one bit, and seems contradictory.

I should have given a disclosure as first sentence that I have done my research and searhed as much as I can, since you can not infer that from my post, or likely did not bother to finish reading my post.

You tell me to do my research and read ad's, yet you claim aero as "farce" and have absolutely nothing to back it up with. Yes people still ride TT's with random bikes. This is like saying that people do a run with basketball shoes...this does not mean that running shoes are "farce." Please dont bother wasting your time replying, since you have not contributed at all.

"Why don't you go ride a few bikes and see if they're stiff enough for you?"

If you had fully read my post. I have ridden the bikes that I physically can ride, from that conclusion I definitely like the new Gary Fisher and it is certainly stiff enough for me, but I am trying to see if the Aero benefit is worth waiting until the bikes are available.

Again, thank you for your time.

he's cranky. many people are here. just get the bike that looks cool. i'm sure they're all great.

This guy is obviously a glass half empty person. No offense but your post does not help one bit, and seems contradictory.

I should have given a disclosure as first sentence that I have done my research and searhed as much as I can, since you can not infer that from my post, or likely did not bother to finish reading my post.

You tell me to do my research and read ad's, yet you claim aero as "farce" and have absolutely nothing to back it up with. Yes people still ride TT's with random bikes. This is like saying that people do a run with basketball shoes...this does not mean that running shoes are "farce." Please dont bother wasting your time replying, since you have not contributed at all.

"Why don't you go ride a few bikes and see if they're stiff enough for you?"

If you had fully read my post. I have ridden the bikes that I physically can ride, from that conclusion I definitely like the new Gary Fisher and it is certainly stiff enough for me, but I am trying to see if the Aero benefit is worth waiting until the bikes are available.

Again, thank you for your time.

Wow, you're dense. That was some of the most obvious satire I've ever read.

The Blue AC1 looks interesting; it would be my choice from your list if it fits and if you don't mind waiting.

I have ridden Felt AR Team, Ridley Noah, and Cervelo Soloist. Yes, the aero matters. But the fit does as well. Also, understand that these frames have different weights and different stiffnesses. Out of what you listed, the Noah seems the best choice. Racer Ex and myself have been on a lot of solo breakaways and probably even more bridges on this bike. Stiff as anything and quite aero.

With regards to which is "best" don't just look at the thing. Lots of people test these things in the tunnel. If it has not been tunnel tested, it probably just Looks "cool" but has little in the way of actual function (from an aerodynamic perspective) to it's form.

Crashworthy, both of them although any carbon frame can get messed up if someone falls on it or runs over it from the side. I don't have to believe the hype. the tunnel does not lie. Other things? Crosswinds affect aero frames just like aero wheels...there are very slight control issues in crosswinds.

This is like saying that people do a run with basketball shoes...this does not mean that running shoes are "farce."

Don't open that can of worms, there may be some runners around here...