Originally Posted by
mindundi
The first time I took them I inmediately noted the different pace and a really splendid, buzzing sound. And there was no placebo effect,
It's the buzzing sound, and the new toy that creates the placebo effect. You may have actually ridden faster, but the majority of that was very likely the fact that you felt great with the new toy, believed the new toy was faster, and were motivated to ride harder.
It's like new tennis shoes when you were a kid.
The speed increases from aero wheels is real, but it's marginal. At 20 mph, going from a conventionally spoked wheel to a 50mm deep rim is likely worth around .1mph.