Thread: Go deep or not?
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Old 03-07-15 | 10:56 AM
  #70  
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Stucky
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Bumpkinsville

Bikes: '97 Klein Quantum '16 Gravity Knockout

Since good alloy nom-aero wheels can be lighter than deep aero wheels, the minimal aero benefits of the deep wheels are probably negated by the weight penalty.

As a recreational rider, who times his rides, I can say that I am not one iota faster on my Venge (which has aero wheels; bars; seat post; fork; and frame tubes) than on my Klein, which has no aero parts/no CF parts. (I didn't buy the Venge for it's "aero-ness"- but rather just because I like the way it looks- I wasn't expecting it to be any faster).

For serious racers, where a few seconds count; and where you want to be on a level playing field with your competitors, aero might provide some benefit.

For those who don't mind spending a lot of money for "fashion" and aesthetics.....if you like the aero look, then knock yourelf out- just understand that you're not buying performance- and after all, why would you want to? Personally, if I wanted to buy performance, I'd just get something with a motor. Since cycling is about human-powered vehicles; and the bicycle is already ridiculously efficient at transferring our our energy into linear motion, I want my performance to come from my body's increasing strength and endurance. My choice of bikes is mainly about aesthetics and feel.
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