Pace lines and bigger riders
 

I'm beginning to wonder if bigger riders in the 200 lbs+ and six foot+ range get the same benefit out of drafting in a pace line as normal sized riders. I also ride a larger size bike (Duh) and sit well above many riders.

Even if I'm perfectly lined up downdraft of a smaller rider at speeds of 25 mph, benefit is minimal. If I happen I to get behind two side-by-side riders, I begin to feel real a benefit.

Otherwise, I feel like a SUV at a NASCAR race.

(Flame suit on)

Michael

Obvously the relative sizes of the drafter and draftee matter. If you are sitting in a group rather than a single line it matters less. I would hardly say the benefit is "minimal" though.

Fairly obvious that the smaller the rider in front of you, the less benefit you'll get from the draft. And the bigger you are, the smaller other people are going to be in relation to your size.

On a hard ride I hate getting stuck behind short people. So if you know you're going to have trouble hanging on a ride, it pays to fall in line behind the biggest (and smoothest) rider in the group. And to learn how to reshuffle in asocially acceptable manner to get behind that rider. (stop signs are good opportunities.)

On my first century a few weeks ago we had one guy who was like 6'6" and just an absolute locomotive. When I'd get behind him it was like being in the eye of a hurricane. Being behind other, smaller riders was definitely different. So I would say yes, the relative size of riders in a paceline matters. Always be behind the bigger guy? :)

I've got two regular buddies that I ride with. One is oddly short and rides a custom bike with little 650 wheels. The other is over six feet and weighs more than 250 lbs. Huge difference drafting!

they don't. that's their penance for blocking the view at concerts.

That's for sure. The big guys hate being behind me in a paceline. :D

At the same time, I doubt that a big rider who's in a very aero position would give a better draft than a small rider who's more upright.

now that was funny :lol:

Many here have said sucking the wheel of a tandem is like being attacked by a Klingon Tractor Beam.

I do this:thumb: I just feel bad for whoever gets stuck behind me...

Yes, that was an overstatement. Getting behind an average rider at 25 mph requires about the same effort as riding solo at 21 mph. Or, at least, that's how it feels. I do notice on downhills, I'm touching the brakes to maintain space. If it's a real drop, I'll break out and pass people without really trying.

Michael

I'm 6'1" at 220lbs an I draft anyone, maybe you're not riding close enough. I do prefer to be out front but we all need a break now and then.

You get less benefit from drafting. On the other hand, catching some wind typically penalizes you far less than it does the smaller riders, assuming similar strength and fitness. I don't make much of a draft for other riders, and I can get a good draft behind most anyone, but having to do my 30 seconds in the wind is going to be worse for me than a bigger rider (of approximately equal fitness) making the same power.

I would guess you get more a draft than you think. Since your head is more exposed than a normally-sized rider, it may seem like you're still fully exposed to the wind, but in reality your torso is still mostly shielded from the wind.

Was in a single paceline behind two women racers. First one was about 5'4", second one about 5' even. It was like no draft at all. Maybe my knees benefitted.

Being a tall rider (6'4"), I can definitely tell the difference when I'm drafting a rider my size vs someone 5'6". Apparently, the same holds true for the short guys. They complain that the draft goes right over them when I'm pulling.

I'm 6'1" 200 +/-. My wife is 5'8". We're reasonably fast on the tandem. Smart people find our wheel.

the really tall guys are only a moderate draft.

they key is to find the biggest guy with the shortest inseam. i try to snag them in a paceline. of course they start to complain when they rotate off and i'm up front in the drops...

Tall guys, tandems, I will wheelsuck them all. :) The petite, fit women don't block much wind, but they are easier on the eyes than a lot of the other riders ..... Every position in the group has some benefit.

Mark

aka "wide load"

they call me the vortex.

I'm 5'6" and I can vouch for the fact that when drafting someone your height, I get a lot of wind resistance coming from below saddle level. The upside is that I can see road hazards coming by looking under the rider in front.:lol:

Wind or not, drafting behind some curvy lady is a gift that needs to be savored and appreciated.

I was purposely the lead-out man on my college team because: 1) My sprint was basically second fastest on the team and 2) I was bigger than the fastest sprinter on the team.

Bigger guys do make a nicer draft. Its those tiny 130 lb. climbers who provide basically no draft at all.

I am 6'4" and ~220 pounds I find it hard to get a draft from smaller riders in the group when I am on my brake hoods, when I go down into the drops I get a bit more as I have them set quite low almost the same as my position on my track bike.

There is a guy that I race with that is 6'6" and 275 pounds I get a decent tow off him, when I am getting tired in a hard race I push whoever is on his wheel off and sit in his draft for a good tow untill I recover.

haha drafting behind a cute girl definitely feels like you're doing less work:p

on topic: I'm about 5' even and have been told on a few occasions that I suck to draft behind. For that reason I try to stay out of the drops when I'm in the front of a paceline, but I'm not sure that it helps all that much when the person behind me is 6' tall.