To shave or not shave ?

2LAP

I know a little about the aerodynamic benefit of riding in a line, about a 1/3 less energy used than riding on the front (obviously this changes with many conditions).<br />I have also seen some SRM data that shows the differences in power output required by the different members of a pursuit team, with the first person producing most power and the third person (out of four) producing least power.<br /><br />As for seams on cars, is that why road cars have 'wings' on the back? (I know that some cars (e.g. F1) have them for down force).<br /><br />I'll look forward to the pics!

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Duckwah

F1 and race cars have wings for downforce but on road cars they are there purely for aesthetic reasons. Even a big wing is no use until about 150km/hr and even then only if you want to corner at that speed. In a straight line they just produce drag.<br /><br />To further complicate things in cycling a cyclist acts as a collection of streamlined parts and bluff bodies which produce different amounts of drag from skin friction and profile drag. I'll post those pics soon which might clear things up a bit. <br /><br />I might post them in a new Aero topic cause this has gone a bit further than to shave or not to shave

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Don Stevenson

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Octogen Fitness

www.octogen.com.au

fitness@octogen.com.au

Old Timer

As I posted some while ago. For all the good reasons given on this Forum for shaving I will shave my legs when the Springbok rugby team shave theirs. ;D Now it looks like the Springboks may well do that! I mean they've got to do something!!! ;D ;D ;D

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&quot;How can I soar with the eagles when I'm surrounded by a bunch of turkeys?!.&quot;