Aerodynamic cycling: Readers share their top secret tips

When it comes to the improvement of aerodynamics in cycling, the sky is the limit. For most riders, however, spending £10,000 on a slippery bike, full skinsuit, aero helmet and booking a spot in a wind tunnel just isn't feasible.

So we asked Cycling Weekly readers for their absolute best tips for improving cycling aerodynamics. We fully expect to see many of these strategies employed by a raft of WorldTour teams in the coming months.

Have we missed out on a blindingly obviously wind-cheating tip? Let us know in the comments section below.

>>> Aero bikes: a complete buyer’s guide

As a well-known pro cycling team mechanic recently said, why make all the marginal gains on the bike and techie kit when the riders ride with their jerseys open and flapping in the wind!

Gary Kristensen

Narrower 40-42 cm road bars; a cut-out saddle to rotate your pelvis to make it easier to get low; road train regularly in the drops and make sure you're not carrying extra mass contributing to a greater CDA. Only after addressing these would I consider buying equipment in order of clothing, helmet, wheels, then frame, shoes, etc.

Gareth Rogers

As a cyclist do you really need two arms? Cut one off to reduce aerodynamic drag in this area, saving watts and weight!

Fabian Gomperts Willis

Get fairings implanted all up and down your backside, full body wax, and ride naked.

Rob Sleger

>>> Aero bike vs climbing bike: Bauke Mollema tells us which he prefers

Learn to drop your forearms flat when you're on the hoods, and keep your elbows tucked in. Tighten up that core, as it helps keep the power on and your form solid when your knees are pumping into your chest.

Matthew Reschke

Borrow Graeme Obree's Beastie.

Alan Bittle

Cover yourself with Vaseline and fill in your wheels, disc-style, with tin foil. Then ride along with your chin on the stem. It doesn’t matter that you will be uncomfortable and be the laughing stock of your neighbourhood, you’ll be smoother than a shaved eel, as the widely-respected aerodynamicist Edmund Blackadder once said.

Tony Barlow

Be lean and low. You create the most drag while riding, so a lean body coupled with a low, narrow frontal area and tight-fitting kit will result in more aerodynamic gains.

Matthew Schieferstein

Ride backwards, it’s way more streamlined.

Robin Hawes

>>> Are longer cycling shorts more aero?

Pick your place in the line carefully. If you find yourself on the wheel of a pencil.... find the powerhouse with the aerodynamics of bungalow instead and jump on that wheel.

Paul Oz

Don't wear clothes that flap around in the wind. Simple and obvious, but I'm always amazed how many people don't bother.

Sam Westhead

Condoms on all extremities.

Chris Mulleague

>>> How to be more aero on your road bike (video)

Aerodynamics are over-rated, they didn’t exist in my day. What you need to do is eat more and pedal faster.

Dave Foot

Making aerodynamic changes to your kit and position is all well and good, but how on earth do you know whether it’s made the blind bit of difference? What someone needs to come up with is a mobile wind tunnel that can be transported around the country – eg to cycling clubs, Box Hill car park, etc – so that riders can get an expert opinion.

Bruce Fellowes