An aero frame is a bike’s main structural component with an aerodynamic shape that reduces drag. The term aero frame comes from combining the words aero and frame. Aero frames typically have features such as:
- Truncated airfoil shapes that reduce turbulence and drag.
- Internal cable routing hides the cables from the airflow and creates a cleaner profile.
- Integrated components such as brakes, seatposts, and forks reduce the number of exposed parts and improve aerodynamics.
- Stiff and light materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum, or titanium enhance the performance and handling of the bike.
Aero frames are used by cyclists who want to go faster on flat or rolling terrain, such as time trialists, triathletes, sprinters, and breakaway specialists. They are often paired with aero wheels, tires, handlebars, and helmets to create a complete aero bike.
Some examples of aero frames are the Giant Propel, Trek Madone, Canyon Aeroad, and Cervelo S5.
Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.
He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.