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Rapid response to:

Research Christmas 2010: The Lives of Doctors

Bicycle weight and commuting time: randomised trial

BMJ 2010; 341 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c6801 (Published 09 December 2010) Cite this as: BMJ 2010;341:c6801

Rapid Response:

Re:Steel or carbon fiber bikes

I am pleased the BMJ has addressed this most important of issues.
Could I suggest a whole series on the determinants of riding faster on a
bicycle. My own, unpublished, data are clear that riding on a bicycle with
improved aerodynamics is considerably more important than the weight of
the bicycle. May I suggest as a follow-up experiment, that Dr Groves
undertakes his commute in a skinsuit or regular cycling apparel next year.
If he wishes to perform his experiments without the regular traffic
obstacles he could even undertake a series of time trials (A6097 7pm
Tuesdays 2 pound entrance fee required) to assess the determinants of
cycling speed.

Competing interests: Own carbon, steel and aluminium bicycles

17 December 2010
Gisli Jenkins
Respiratory Physician
University of Nottingham