I can regularly out-coast me riding partners. My bike is titanium, but about the same weight as my friends' bikes. There's no explaining it except for one thing - my Ultegra rim brakes don't have any drag at all. My friends' fancy bikes all have discs. I suspect that even a small, almost undetectable disc drag might be enough to account for what is a pretty significant difference at the end of a moderate 1/2 mile downhill.
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#1006.1Editing a commentAdd increased wind resistance with disc brakes? -
Hadn't thought of that. Perhaps. What do they say about "incremental gains?" -
• At High Speeds (45–55+ km/h / ~28–34+ mph): Wind-tunnel tests (such as those by Quintana Roo) show that rim brakes can have an aerodynamic advantage of roughly 3 to 7 watts.
• At Realistic Speeds (25–35 km/h / ~16–22 mph): The difference shrinks dramatically to just 1 to 1.5 watts, which is negligible for most everyday and recreational riders.
So coasting downhill at 30 to 40 mph, rim brakes would give you an advantage. Even more at higher speeds.
https://quintanarootri.com/blogs/new...riathlon-bikes
Overall, the rider presents the biggest aerodynamic factor. How you sit on the bike can make a big difference, obviously.
My own tests of rolling distance while coasting indicate that even the slightest wind can make a significant measurable difference.Last edited by wildbears; 2 weeks ago.
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Bears, I have been busy and traveling a lot lately. We have done some more coasting tests among friends. I will talk about it when I get a chance in a few days.Comment
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IMPORTANT UPDATE
FLASHING VERSUS STEADY LIGHTING AND WHY YOU SHOULD USE BOTH!Originally posted by wildbears View Post
A flashing light is significantly worse for triggering target fixation than a steady light. BUT....
While both types of light can draw a person’s gaze, flashing or blinking lights pose a much higher risk for a few key neurological and behavioral reasons:
Why Flashing Lights Are Worse- Disrupts Depth Perception: A flashing light makes it incredibly difficult for an approaching driver or rider to accurately judge distance and closing speed. Because the visual stimulus keeps disappearing and reappearing, the brain struggles to calculate exactly how fast it is approaching the target.
- The "Moth-to-Flame" Effect: Blinking lights naturally command a higher level of involuntary visual attention. Under stress, fatigue, or intoxication, a driver's brain can experience highway hypnosis. They unconsciously lock onto the flashing hazard, and because the human body naturally steers where the eyes are looking, they drift straight toward the light.
- Longer Eye Fixation: Studies tracked by the National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence have shown that flashing hazard lights cause longer durations of eye fixation. This increases the likelihood that a distracted or tired driver will inadvertently steer out of their lane and strike a roadside vehicle or cyclist.
This creates a classic safety paradox:- Flashing lights are much better at confronting a driver and getting them to notice an object from a long distance.
- Steady lights are much better at helping a driver navigate around that object safely once they know it is there.
If you are looking to optimize a specific lighting setup or manage driving risks, let me know:- Are you looking at this from the perspective of a cyclist/motorcyclist setting up your own gear?
- Is this regarding emergency/roadside vehicle safety?
- Are you trying to train yourself on how to break target fixation while driving or riding?
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