You know what’s faster than a new aero frame? Tires. A bike fit. Two things that cost a fraction of the price and return more speed per dollar than anything else you can put on your bike.
I know. It’s not as satisfying as a new build. But the data doesn’t care about satisfying.
Here’s the thing about drag: above 18 mph, roughly 90% of the resistance you’re fighting is aerodynamic. And of that, 75% is coming from you — your body position, your shape on the bike. The frame? About 9%. You are spending thousands of dollars to solve 9% of the problem while ignoring the part you could actually fix for a few hundred bucks.
The ROI ranking on cycling upgrades tells the story:
| Upgrade | ROI Score |
| 🥇 Tires | 92/100 |
| Position / Bike Fit | 85/100 |
| Wheels | 78/100 |
| Drivetrain | 70/100 |
| Aero Helmet | 55/100 |
| ❌ Aero Frame | 35/100 |
The thing most athletes buy first returns the least speed per dollar of any upgrade on the list.
And if we’re talking tires, we need to talk size and pressure — because getting those wrong cancels out the upgrade entirely. The old instinct to run tires as hard as possible is outdated. Overinflated tires on real-world roads create vibration and micro-bouncing that actually slows you down. A tire that can conform slightly to the surface rolls faster than one that’s fighting it. For most riders on most roads, 28–30mm tires at a pressure dialed to your body weight and the road surface will outperform a narrow, rock-hard setup every time. This is not a minor detail — it’s the difference between buying a fast tire and actually riding one.
Fast tires at the right size and pressure are cheap. A bike fit is a one-time investment that pays out every single ride. Neither of them looks impressive in a transition photo. Both of them will move you faster than a $6,000–10,000 frameset on a body that still hasn’t found its aero position.
Buy the tires. Dial the pressure. Get the fit. Then, if you still want the frame — go for it. Just know what you’re actually buying.