Originally Posted by
rkwaki
Subscribed
I hear the aero argument but question its real world benefit. If you are 5'6" tall and built like an 8 year old boy with add (i.e. scrawny little f@cker) maybe it's worth it. I can tell you it would make little difference to me - reduced frontal area? I wear a size 48 jacket and my quads are the size of Hoy's, my arms are the size of some of the climber's quads on this forum, does an aerodynamic frame truly make a difference? Probably a little for regular road riding. For TT's absolutely as you need every advantage for the race of truth.
I don't want to jump on the SA bashing wagon as we danced a couple of times earlier in this thread...but the areo thing seems to be a big focus with him including his almost TT postion on his road bike with huge drop. Top riders don't have to ride that way to be successful. Yes, some do as SA pointed out. But will post LA's bike again. The guy has won 7 TdF's for gods sakes with a three inch drop riding a bike a full size larger than most would ride for this height and inseam. He races his mtb and won at Leadville with the bars the same height as the saddle...and beat Weins with a 5 inch drop...Dave is a very tall guy who races mtb's with a road bike position...and I might add Lance could probably drop SA while on his mtb...and me too FWIW.
Cervelo smelled the coffee and why they revised the R5 to geometry closer to the Tarmac. The geometry will resonate with the vast majority of riders and why they did it. They increased head tube length based upon customer feedback. Will it work for SA? No. So what. He is the outliar here and its fine he goes his own way. He already owns a top race bike and wouldn't be faster on another bike anyway. He maybe faster in long stage races however if he revised his position on the bike but that's his choice.