I've been meaning to start such a thread for some time.  The Jules-posted chart on aero gains put me over the edge.

here are some sites for research

From what I understand shoe covers that have been designed with a trip line to detach air are fast (British Cycling, Garmin Sharp), a regular Lycra/Spandex booty can be slower.

Shoe covers that go past mid calf are banned, so there must be a drag advantage over bare skin.

Ok, so our champ-sys shoe covers are worthless. Duly noted.

I'll be bringing my skinsuits and deep section wheels to this weekend's crits, but I'll leave the shoe covers at home... maybe just put them in the trash.

I can't find it (see my other post) but you can't talk about marginal gains without also taking into consideration the speeds in question.

Jules said:

All the aero kit in the world isn't going to move the needle on a 22mph ride - relative to things like weight, fitness, skills (pack, cornering, etc)

says the guy whose frame is claimed to save 18w at 22mph.

@Vlad, the basic premise is a booty increases surface area and therefore total drag (so theoretically squeezing into a smaller shoe for a TT will save you time too). If a booty is very tight fitting, thin, nonporous, aero material and/or designed to detach air, it will be faster.

This paper tests a standard Lycra cover:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/gxhmxvhgxizksxg/Giuseppe+et+al+(2010)+-+shoe+aerodynamics.pdf

Here's the cutting edge NZ wind tunnel in effect:
http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Science-Stories/Cycling-Aerodynamics/Sci-Media/Video/The-wind-tunnel
And how they test athletes:
http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Science-Stories/Cycling-Aerodynamics/Sci-Media/Video/Testing-aerodynamics-of-elite-cyclists (I'm sure the rider just chucked on the sponsors jersey in this example).
They conclude that a proper shoe cover, like a Jonathan Smart or a Pearl Izumi saves watts.


^ Dan Martin's shoe covers

^ Smart shoe covers

These are all for a rider doing 50 kph (or just over 31 mph) for 48 minutes. 

jim_nelson said:

These are all for a rider doing 50 kph (or just over 31 mph) for 48 minutes. 

I doubt I could ride for 48 seconds at 31 mph.

The drag difference is smaller, but the longer you're out there, the time saved could be greater.  Think of it this way.  1w of savings to you means much more than it does to Cancellara  

Six watts from the right chain lube?

Do you have the copy of the lube comparison to share?

eragot said:

Do you have the copy of the lube comparison to share?

I emailed the guy who runs the lab about buying all of his data for sharing with the entire club. If it's a reasonable price, we'll get it and share it here.

Jeffrey White said:

eragot said:

Do you have the copy of the lube comparison to share?

I emailed the guy who runs the lab about buying all of his data for sharing with the entire club. If it's a reasonable price, we'll get it and share it here.

I bought it. I also worked with the guy on a chain test I did.  As I want to respect his IP, I'll write that if Jeff's effort fails, I believe the data is worth the money. 

would you then share the best lube for everyday use and racing?

Nix that: http://www.lillylube.com/uploads/Link_to_Velo_Article.pdf

The best lube for everyday use and racing? It's called hard work Eric.

eragot said:

would you then share the best lube for everyday use and racing?

Ambergris

Dan, this reminds me of one year at Fitchburg, while lined up for the Pro 1/2 TT start, a Mercury team director, with a thick European accent starts to lecture me about my hair and Fignon and blah, blah, blah. All the while I'm thinking, I'll f-ing shave my head off if you gave me a contract.

That's not a very aero position. That is a 'going slow' riding position. Aerodynamics matter more when you're going fast.

Vlad, I am scared that riding with your eyes forward is you 'going slow' position. 

His arms are locked out for chrissakes! - J D Salinger

Specialized is at it again.  More wind tunnel research for real-life drag comparisons.

JP, I'll totally braid your hair before the next race. We can talk about boys too.

NTYC (not that you care), but I sometimes do braid my hair but...it kind of takes a while, so I've been a bun dude mostly...now I'm totally in, FULL BRAID all the time. 14 seconds faster!

Dudes, this is also wicked awesome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p8SdRRe1fo#t=192

Marc Bertucco said:

JP, I'll totally braid your hair before the next race. We can talk about boys too.

NTYC (not that you care), but I sometimes do braid my hair but...it kind of takes a while, so I've been a bun dude mostly...now I'm totally in, FULL BRAID all the time. 14 seconds faster!

Curly hair is more coarse than straight hair.  As such, the follicles create a boundary layer (think golf ball) and smooth out the airflow over the strands. What I'm saying is my hair is faster than hers.