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From: fred@varian.UUCP (Fred Klink)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: RE:Aerodynamic Wheels
Message-ID: <338@varian.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 8-Jul-85 14:48:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: varian.338
Posted: Mon Jul  8 14:48:14 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Jul-85 14:53:28 EDT
References: <975@mhuxt.UUCP>
Organization: Varian, Walnut Creek, CA
Lines: 13

The aero wheels used in competition have discs *instead of* spokes,
not discs fastened over conventional wheels.  This is a clever way of
skirting the UCI rule that a competition bike can have no component that
is solely to improve aerodynamics of the bike or rider. Point is, you
probably won't find "bolt-on" discs for serious cycling in the near future.

The improvement from disks is only seen on reasonably flat courses without
serious crosswinds.  Phil Anderson used a conventional bike for the first
half of Saturday's Tour de France time trial (which was uphill), because
he felt the extra weight of the disc wheels would be a disadvantage on the
climb.  He switched to a disc-wheel bike for the flat portion.  Unless
you plan to have a follow car, I question if discs would give an overall
advantage for sport/touring rides.