AbsoluteZ3RO

My two favorite bikes are the S-Works Roubaix and the Cervelo S5. Each has it's own special appeal to me. I may never own either, but it got me thinking when it comes to speed what is better, Aero or comfort. I'm assuming the answer is something like:

If you are comfortable on a very aerodynamic bike, then Aero. However, if the ride is 50 miles long and after 30, you don't feel comfortable, your speed will suffer and perhaps the more comfortable bike would have been better.

Thoughts? I'm guessing most people would be better off riding a more comfortable bike. Is that true?

abstractform20

i just saw a carbon-wrapped (probably just tape) aluminum Schwinn.

really ugly bike.

GlennR

You already know the answer. It depends on your goals.

First you need to be in good shape, then you need to get a Pro Fit and fine tune it. If you ride shorter distances then you might sacrifice comfort for more aero. For long distance you need to be comfortable or you'll never finish.

I doubt pro riders are 100% comfortable after a 100 mile ride.

gregf83 

Yes.

st3venb

More comfort allows more wattage to be put down more consistently for longer.

darb85

S5 sucks, weve had more issues here at the shop with that bike than any other. Paint chips, warped down tubes, and ****ty warranty service. They really lost their way with that bike

thechemist

Its more about the aero in the body than the bike

Carbon Unit

If I rode on an aero position for 50 miles, I would be in pain. So for me, comfort is everthing. I ride for fitness and fun and only need to ride fast enough to not get dropped

datlas 

Forget to take your medicine today??

Back on topic, there is generally going to be a tradeoff between comfort and speed/aero. You choose where to put the fulcrum.

AngrySaki

Also, how a bike is setup is mostly what dicates comfort, not the bike (frame) itself. (stem position, tires, saddle, etc...)

AMFJ

https://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...dium=whats-hot

calamarichris

What is the distance?
What is the goal?
What kind of bike are you currently riding? A photo of the current bar-seat relationship would be helpful.

Campag4life

OP...I hope you understand st3venb's point. It is more than aero versus comfort. You maybe faster on the Roubaix with taller head tube than the S5.
I ride my Roubaix SL3 with all kinds of guys on slammed race bikes. Choice of bike depends mostly on you. The reference I like to make is...if you can put your palms on the ground with lock knees, get the S5. If you can barely touch the ground with finger tips like me, the Roubaix is a more comfortable 'and' faster bike. An inflexible rider on a slammed bike will be slower. Closing the hip angle on an inflexible rider subtracts watts. Plus, handlebar height doesn't precisely correlate to aero profile. Generally a rider will assume a torso position based more upon flexibility than the height of the handlebar. You can ride flat backed with a higher handlebar if you have the flexibility. So there are many misconceptions about fit and choice of bike. To me if you aren't a professional racer, a Roubaix style makes the most sense. If you race for a living AND you have the body to endure a slammed position the S5 or equivalent makes more sense...like you see in the pro peleton.

AngrySaki

I'm not sure this is a good metric by which to judge how aggressive of a position someone can ride comfortably. Out of the cyclists I know, the one who rides with the biggest bar drop is incredibly inflexible. He might be able to touch his toes, but if so, barely. It also doesn't seem to hurt his power at all.

I personally find the biggest limiter with how low of a position I can handle are my neck and back muscles. (As I adopted a more aggressive position that's where the discomfort was, at least until those muscles got stronger)

rruff

Probably could be fixed by moving your saddle down and back a bit, and working on your posture. Relax your back. Adopt a pedaling stroke that allows that.

manutd

Those of you saying that you can't be aero and comfortable for long distances should talk to a few triathletes. I think if you get your fit dialled in to your TT bike you should be able to go very far. Say like 180km and then run a marathon after you're finished!

jmX

Buy 1 size smaller on the roubaix and you will get geometry that's able to be more aggressive yet still have the nice ride of the roubaix. I am 6'1" and my roubaix is a 56.5 cm with 120mm stem - fits me soooo nice and I can get pretty darn aero on it.

gregf83 

Have you looked at the stack and reach of an S5 compared to a Roubaix? They are not that far off and it wouldn't be difficult to set the S5 up so you were in the exact same position as the Roubaix.

Rekless1

You already said the answer.

But if you can be comfortable in a more aero position.......

Seattle Forrest

How do you mean? I've only ever heard of a Cervelo warranty claim going one way: the customer gets a new frameset.

Seattle Forrest

That's correct. Most people don't race, by the way, and that means speed isn't the most important thing to a lot of them/us.

thechemist

don't forget to factor in crosswinds. The more surface area exposed on the side the more difficult it will be to handle in crosswinds...not a huge deal though