>>1812837>- ditto for disc wheels?disc wheels are bad idea in highly windy places and a good idea on the velodrome. In other places you have to do math.
>full frame bike bagsthese can have positive aero effects due to increasing the fineness ratio. If the bag is bulky and sticks out a lot, then will offset the benefits. Because it's very close to the center of mass, wind will be not as derogatory to the handling characteristics compared to a disc wheel.
>force airflow between the legs and frameYou're talking about creating a nozzle. This isn't going to happen. What will happen is the airflow bends, 3-5 relative lengths in front of the bike, to avoid getting forced into that area. The airflow in a gap is stationary and turbulent. If you want to force the airflow to go through, you have to have a ramp behind it, sucking the air through the front.
>I really wish I could have a go on a faired TT bike in windy conditions to properly understand its behaviourThis is the best idea by far, just travel somewhere nice and go rent a bike for a day.
>- for you, what's an acceptable amount of fairings / aero tubing relative to your conditions and size/weight/strength?In general, the best aerodynamic advantage can be achieved by using narrower handlebars:
>>1794824>>1794997There is a misconception where people think only in terms of what's hitting you.
In reality there is a turbulent flow structure that extends 8-10 bike lengths behind the bike and 2-3 relative lengths in front. Every air particle that gets thrown around over that 50 feet slug-like structure, you are paying for with your leg muscles. If you change to an aero fairing, maybe you change some minor detail on that structure, like it becomes a less bumpy slug.
You know how the area of a circle changes with radius squared? If you use narrow handlebars, suddenly you are reducing the diameter of the slug. Anyway, it'll make a big difference.
