Lights and aero dynamics
#2
Facts just confuse people




Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,433
Likes: 7,120
From: Mississippi
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Everything affects aerodynamics. It just depends on how fussy you want to be about it. Just like helmets, some lights some have more drag and others less drag. But still you need a helmet and if you ride at night or where lights are required during the daytime, then you have to have them.
#3
Senior Member



Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,760
Likes: 2,117
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Minimal amount.
If in front of your headtube, less than if on the end of a skewer. Taillight behind saddle, not much.
If in front of your headtube, less than if on the end of a skewer. Taillight behind saddle, not much.
#5
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,452
Likes: 6,761
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
It doesn't matter. You are unlikely to have lights on your bike while racing and if so you are likely in an MTB or gravel race. If you are on a road bike riding and need lights you need good lights with a good beam pattern and brightness and worrying about aerodynamics over safety is not the way to go.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 935
Likes: 770
From: Australia
Bikes: 2002 Trek 5200 (US POSTAL), 2020 Canyon Aeroad SL
In the UK it is compulsory to run front and rear lights for all time trials (there are no rules on the size or brightness though).
Aerocoach actually did some testing and found a "sensible" front light made pretty much no difference to your overall aerodynamics, we're talking less than 2 watts at 45km/hr (28mph).
https://www.aero-coach.co.uk/front-light-aerodynamics
Aerocoach actually did some testing and found a "sensible" front light made pretty much no difference to your overall aerodynamics, we're talking less than 2 watts at 45km/hr (28mph).
https://www.aero-coach.co.uk/front-light-aerodynamics
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 1,027
From: The banks of the River Charles
Bikes: 2025 Black Mountain Cycles Mod Zero, 2025 Surly Ogre, 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX
Tail light will make you faster if it’s red. If it’s blinking then it only helps you half the time.
#10
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,640
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I run lights whenever I ride my bike, day or night. I often have more than just one headlight and one headlight. One day, having my lights might save my life. For all I know, it already has. There’s no way of knowing for sure if lights increase my safety, but I will be able to know if they did not help, i.e. if I get hit.
My lights don’t slow me down much. If they are the strap-on type, the strapping on and off slows me down more than the air drag does. I have a couple of bikes with hub dynamos, and they create a little bit of drag, but it’s not very much, and it’s worthwhile for me since I never have to strap on the lights nor charge them. Aerodynamic drag is relevant only when you’re riding very fast, and even then, it isn’t a burden unless you are highly competitive.
My lights don’t slow me down much. If they are the strap-on type, the strapping on and off slows me down more than the air drag does. I have a couple of bikes with hub dynamos, and they create a little bit of drag, but it’s not very much, and it’s worthwhile for me since I never have to strap on the lights nor charge them. Aerodynamic drag is relevant only when you’re riding very fast, and even then, it isn’t a burden unless you are highly competitive.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.






