Originally Posted by
RChung
I've used models that account for acceleration, and investigated keeping a database of moments of inertia for different wheels to improve the estimates of drag and predictions of sprint performance that the models produce. After a medium amount of effort, we stopped bothering.
At that, only necessary to see what if any difference it makes for the extreme cases. For the roadie keeping up with the fast group, hunting Strava KOM's, you don't need much of a model. Straightforward simple equations, there's not much speed difference to be had from the greater acceleration of a pound or two less.
Racers on the edge of blowing up, trying to hold the wheel inches in front of them, I'll take their word for it because I never do that. With a grain of salt - I'd take almost any measurable aero improvement over a couple of hundred grams.