The Grim Reality Of Owning An Aero Bike

Buying “aero” make no sense average cyclist cannot keep faster than average speed 25-30km for 1/2 hour…

Just couldnt decide between a Canyon Aeroad CFX and a Canyon Ultimate, so I went the middle way and got myself a Ultimate Aero, pretty happy about it, nearly identical geometry to the Aeroad, deep dish weels but still a bit lighter

Like driving a Hellcat, everyone wants to race you.

got both aero and endurance bike - aero is king for sure.

8m15s is the key...aero now means "set" cockpit...disaster for anybody who is not sponsored. Can help stupid

Aero bikes are dangerous cause every time i ride past anything that reflects my image, I’m forced to look at myself on my aero bike. Which leads to frequent near misses and an occasional crash. But for the fact that it looks so darn good, which contributes to my overall feelings of well-being, which makes me ride better, I’d get rid of it all together 😅

I still have my 20 year old Scott Team issue alloy bike 8although I don't ride it anymore). it is absolutely harsh, not aero and absolutlely not light (8,5kg). I testrided a Trek Madone. Beside it is not lighter than my state of the art (20 years ago) Scott, it is better in any aspect. It is comfy and so fast and it fits bigger tires. I will get one for me.

Rim brake lightweight frames are way better than disc aero bikes on 7-11% gradient long climbs. Short climbs of 3-8 mins the bike does not make a difference.

I own two aero bikes and love them both!

2021 MADINE SLR 6. Awesome fast and comfortable. I luv my aero bike. 🚴🏻‍♂️🚴🏻‍♂️🚴🏻‍♂️🚴🏻‍♂️

If you are overweight, you will have negated effect of aerobikes

I'm riding a Factor Ostro VAM and it's the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden and I've had so many bikes. So, It's definitely possible to have speed and comfort. I have tried a few other brands aero bikes and I can definitely say that I agree with your assessment. I wanted to love them, but all I felt was discomfort.

I have a propel pro, 60mm cadex wheels 7.3kg with everything on it inc pedals chain catcher and bottles. I am 64 and have been riding all my life, i love climbing thats why i spent a fortune losing bike weight. It looks amazing and is very fast, i am not as competitive as i used to be lots of young riders get dropped on our extra long rides 100k plus

You just made me want to buy one 😂 - Systemsix is my dream bike

I have an aero bike and a more conventional Emonda and tbh the difference is negligible if using the same dish wheels from my experience.

the bike is not fast its the rider.the bike is fast if the rider is fast

Aero bikes would be a total waste of money for me. I doubt I would even clear the weight limit for these as I weigh over 125kg.

Good luck setting up an aero bike when you have really long legs for your height (89 cm for 182 cm in my case) and poor flexibility. You're good for at least 5 cm of spacers under the stem and an upright stem angle.

This is a fair account of real life problems folks should have in mind. The key is to match your bike to what you really need, where you ride, for how long at a time etc.

Serious sport cars are uncomfortable and do most of their mileage at low speeds. They are usually driven by people that finds it hard just to get in them. A serious sport bike like an aero bike is better because at least gets that same people to do some sports. Kudos to them!

aero bike is insanely over rated, if you know you know

I am an older guy with an aero bike. None of this has been an issue for me. But, it's not my only bike. If I'm a bit sore I ride my bike that is set up a bit aggressively.

Beg to differ, my Di2 System Six has been more reliable, has better fit (for me) and more comfortable to ride than my mechanical Dura Ace TCR. I've had to take my TCR to the mechanic more while I haven't had an issue with the System Six. Ride what will get you to ride I say, if it looks good to you, you will most likely use it more.

The title of this video should have been "Why I Hate Aero Bikes!" lol. Not only are aero bikes fast but they are getting lighter and more compliant.

it's not so much aero bike, it's Race bike vs Endurance bike. super-light is just as expensive. Does everyone need a Race bike, well no. But really this is just buy the bike for the ride you're riding. Buy the best bike you can afford. As a bigger rider, the only place I'm fast is on the flats, but I LIKE going fast. So if you're some tiny climber, buy a climbing bike, but if you are more a domestique, then a nice aero-bike will optimize your strengths.

I wanted to buy an aero bike. But I ended up buying an endurance bike! I call it destiny!!!

There’s no ‘grim’ reality. The buying cost is same as any top end bike, maintenance the same. Point is that they DO look awesome, AND they are fast. I’m lucky enough to have a very light bike and an aero bike, it’s my passion. The aero bike is just awesomely fast and nearly as fast as the lightweight bike on the climbs. The only issue is running 64mm deep section wheels when it’s windy, you have to be careful but I wouldn’t be without it, no way, goes fast looks incredible, no down side imho

Seriously, most people buy Aero bikes because they see their favorite pros riding them. In a logical world, they should be as boutique as time trail bikes, with only maybe 5% of advanced amateurs buying them, and reaping their benefits. Sad thing is with almost all manufacturers having trickle down technology I can see a future where $1000-2000 bikes start having those uncomfortable features and horrific trends like integrated cockpits, which will turn off many to road cycling.

I'm a Phantom Phixer, Phixing bicycles is easy.

I have the canyon aeroad 2xs. Love it so responsive and steering is awesome and fast only think the stiffer frame I don't mind but been having problems finding the best bottle cages for my bike and the liquid from my bottles end up all over my frame, lol but I love love love my bike.

Maybe for the pros, aero bikes are the best, i personally despise them though, dont even like them aesthetically

I like the idea of aero, that's why I'm buying a Brompton.

Unless you're racing, then why? In the real world the constant stop/start for junctions/ lights means you're better off with an all rounder bike....

Bought my Orro Venturi aero road bike purely on Aesthetics. 55mm deep section wheels on. 85 kg rider so crosswinds aren't so much an issue. Im not going to be winning any world tours any time soon, lol. It might be faster in race situations as all these bikes claim, but for real world riding, none of these energy saving points really make much of a difference, not that people would notice or care. You gain a few seconds here, you lose a few seconds there, you stop waiting on a hill for a group to rejoin, you have your coffee stop, pee stop, water stops. All these claims realistically make no difference. The whole feel of a bike can completely change getting good tyres on, and getting your pressures right. All sales hype. Cycle what you like the look of and feels enjoyable and comfortable when you swing the leg over and peddle

Aero bikes being bought by middle aged men who dream of owning a Ferrari but can't afford to😅

I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to clamp the seat post of that Madone gen 7 behind you either 😬

I'm 48 yrs old. Don't care if I look ridiculous on an aero bike. I wanted one as a kid, couldn't afford. Am happier riding my Titan Racing Valerian Elite. Them guys designed a superb deep section rim- hardly budge in cross winds.

I already use a bike shop for most maintenance needs. Already have an endurance bike, comfortable is top notch, but it actually is to comfortable. I ride more rolling, flat terrain so, am not light weight so , lightweight climbing bikes, not for me. So when I can replace the endurance bike, the more aero bike is going to be for me. I had a Fondriest previously which had more of a aero profile, yes the road buzz was harsh through the bars but they were alloy bars, but. I enjoyed the ride more because it responded better than the endurance. Nothing like putting a little extra pressure on the pedals to have a bike just accelerate.

I do t own one but I wouldn’t mind riding one some time❤

I love my Ribble Ultra SL R but 100% integrated cables is a mechanic's nightmare! Another drawback is having to use valve extenders with 56mm wheels.

I am considering an aero bike but live in northern part of Georgia where there are plenty of rolling and some steep hills so maybe a Scott Addict Pro?

Grim reality? Hardly.

I have multiple bikes. If you want an aero bike, you should consider also having a nice comfy bike as well. Love my aero bike but some days im just too beat up to ride it. So i got a gravel bike. The combo works pretty good

Neve ridden and aero bike, and always felt my Cervelo R5 was quick enough for me. However after watching this I would certainly look at an aero bike if I decided to get a new machine

I’m a heavy git and can ride 60mm+ wheels without being blown about the road 👍

I'm not the most flexible, nor the most skilled at handling a road bike, despite riding for 7 years. That being said, you can take away my Madone SLR from my cold dead hands.

My dogma F is 6.7kg with 80mm deep wheels. Aero bikes simply look better too.

I've recently bought a 2020 Giant Propel Pro 0 as my first aero bike. An unbelievable improvement on my semi-aero Wilier Cento 1SR!! I should have switched to aero years ago.