Are lightweight aero bikes a ‘flash in the pan’? That’s the question framing the tech debate in the latest episode of the road.cc Podcast in association with Laka, with George, Liam, Mat and Jamie discussing issues including whether UCI minimum weight limit is holding back development.
Liam certainly thinks it is, arguing that the 6.8kg minimum weight “is completely limiting progress for these lightweight bikes because rightly or wrongly road bikes are led by the professional road racing scene.”
He has some forthright opinions which we'll come to below over whether he thinks your average cyclist should actually fork out their hard-earned money for one, but believes that “as soon as the UCI drops the weight limit, bikes like that will be massively popular with general riders.”
Jamie – who has an aero road bike – insists that they have “got so much better recently, not just weight but with comfort as well and it was probably only seven or eight years ago that an aero road bike would rattle to pieces, that’s why we never saw them used in Paris-Roubaix … but these days aero road bikes are quite compliant, they’re quite comfortable compared to bikes of old.
“But I don’t get a normal person, why would you go ‘I need to spend … ’ what is effectively five grand on a frameset when you don’t necessarily need aero, you could just have something that’s comfier, lighter, handles much, much nicer – and cheaper!”
Summarising his position towards the end of the segment, Liam maintains that aero road bikes “are a waste for the majority of cyclists, or for the majority of people who actually buy them.
“If you get given one of these aero road bikes and you’re racing, fine, you’re probably already riding in an aero position, got aero clothing, and it’s just a little bit more of a gain to have.
“But realistically for the majority of us who just like going out on our bikes, I would always prioritise frame geometry, lighter weight and comfort.”
Also in this episode you’ll hear off.road.cc staff writer Suvi talking with Lisa Nijbroek, nutritionist at Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl, plus Joram Kolf, co-founder of EatMyRide.
Topics discussed include how energy needs differ between shorter rides and those lasting three hours or more, as well as whether there’s a difference between fuelling for a ride on the road versus an off-road one.
The road.cc Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music, and if you have an Alexa you can just tell it to play the road.cc Podcast. It's also embedded further up the page, so you can just press play.
Laka bike insurance
Collective bicycle cover by Laka exists to rewrite the rules of insurance so it's something people stand with, not against. Laka has been voted best cycle insurance provider for the last four years running - no excess, no depreciation, no contract, no funky fine print and a five-star customer service.
To find out more visit: laka.co
Offer code: ROADCCPOD30 for 30 days free bicycle insurance (new customers only)
I find it deeply jarring and disappointing that Sir David agrees with these people not wanting a cycle lane. Whenever I watch one of his excellent...
May need insurance, tax and a licence. No problem with the lights though.
Yes, they look just like the Lezyne Zecto model. My club bought a couple of sets from the LBS for our midweek TTs so if someone turns up without...
If you can't see a %^$&ing large tractor what ^%$£"!*ing hope is there that you will see a cyclist ?...
Well if you *can* interview the original riders at all surely they worked, at least?...
Live: Car plunges over wall and lands on beach rocks...
Looks like yet another bike share service that's going to fold because of selfish idiots.
This should do it...
Fair point - I was restricting myself to pedal bikes. As I've never spent that kind of money on anything though (mortgage doesn't count), it's kind...
And finally: I wonder how many of the "more than 3,000" signatures on that petition are actually locals, who live or work there (and are not just...