Seriously? I suggest you wear your TT helmet, skin suit, shoes covers and get some of that free speed! I have always wanted to put some tri bars on my MTB and go full aero kit - just for a laugh.
I can't recall who it was now but some guy was using slam aero bars on his MTB in 50km and 100km races and won a couple but I think it was more for a different position than getting aero. For all the reasons already given they probably aren't all that practical but I'll add some more
1. safety (eg. being in TT/tri bars and hitting a water bar at speed!), safety is paramount
2. limited opportunity for real benefits - a smooth riding style will see you faster by losing less momentum as you go over obstacles and bumps
2.A. as mentioned you need some higher speeds before the drag becomes a factor, at low speeds airflow will be laminar and not turbulent
2.B. wind tends not to be an issue on trails as the bush will stop the wind, unless you're doing the croc trophy you don't tend to be out in open spaces that much
3. better returns for your money to be had improving other areas that will lead to faster times (eg. efficient suspension, supple tyres, tubeless, riding technique and so on)
Impossible to say there is no advantage, but it would be the last place to start looking for speed gains.
Thanks for your humour Slowman. I was actually asking a serious question! As I said from the start, I'm new to mountain bike racing and have only done one race so far. Up until then, I've just been a MTB rider and ridden like most of those who don't race I guess. I've read lots of stuff on racing to date, but only seen one mention of aero tucking in all the things I've read. What really got me thinking about it (as a newbie to mountain bike racing Slowman), was the doco I saw on triathlon which mentioned it. It mentioned the importance of it during a long race and how much speed can be gained and lost and the energy that can be saved. I've seen a few pics (yes I still learn some things from looking at pictures Slowman, 'cause you don't just learn by reading) of mountain bike racers with hands close to the stems of their bikes as well, so I started thinking about the benefits or otherwise of aero tucking in mountain bike races. As a newbie to racing, it appeared that there were some racers who believed in the benefits some degree of aero tucking. There may of course have been other reasons for it.
My question to viewers, was "what can you share with a newbie racer about when, where, how etc?" That obviously allowed for comments about whether it was in fact useful in mountain bike racing, which some respondents, including yourself, have suggested it's probably not worth worrying about. I had my doubts to be honest, because there's too many variables in mountain bike racing, but wanted to hear others thoughts on it.
Thanks for your positive suggestions though Slowman. I understand all the other applications you've mentioned. I'm not sure about your comment, "wind tends not to be an issue on trails as the bush will stop the wind" though. In the Blue Mountains, we have to put up with a lot of wind at times, and there's plenty of bush up here. I think you mean about tracks where the bush is dense around it, and not on tracks up here where you're often on a ridge that's very exposed. If you ever get to ride Narrow Neck at Katoomba you might be in for a big surprise with the wind. At least with your comment about the Croc Trophy and wind, I can be confident I can stay relatively upright if I ever decide to do the Croc.
I appreciate your positive advice Slowman, but I'm not sure that with such knowledge, the name Slowman would still be appropriate. :lol:
Now I think I better go and get a TT helmet, skin suit, shoes covers, put some tri bars and a full aero kit on my bike and start doing some wind tunnel testing. I need to work out how to gain all that extra speed. :wave: :laugh: :roll:
