Most cyclists pick their tires based on feel, trends, or manufacturer claims. That's a mistake.

Dan Bigham—former World Hour Record holder and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's performance engineer—emphasizes that your setup isn't just about rolling resistance or aerodynamics in isolation. It's about how everything interacts:

A 25mm tire might be fast on one wheel and slow on another.

Some "aero" tires negate rolling resistance gains.

Conditions like wet, dry, smooth, or rough surfaces change the equation.

If you're just slapping on a popular tire and hoping for speed, you're leaving watts on the table.

How the Pros Get It Right

WorldTour teams don't guess. They simulate. At Ineos, Bigham and his team developed models that evaluated thousands of potential setups—different tires, pressures, wheels, and conditions—to identify the fastest combinations for every scenario.

Now, at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, they're employing tools like Best Bike Split and AeroTune to analyze rolling resistance, aerodynamics, and surface interactions, predicting real-world performance.

But you don't need a pro team's budget to optimize your setup.

Use ChatGPT to Normalize Data

Here's a game-changer: you can use ChatGPT to process raw manufacturer data and tailor it to your specific needs.

Bigham suggests:

Gather Data: Collect manufacturer wind tunnel data, rolling resistance figures from sources like Bicycle Rolling Resistance, and your own metrics (weight, power, typical riding conditions).

Input into ChatGPT: Use a prompt like:

"Normalize this data for a 75kg rider at 40km/h on a rolling course. Adjust for real-world conditions."

This approach helps translate lab data into actionable insights for your unique setup, moving beyond vague marketing claims.

Additional Insights from Bigham's Expertise

Holistic Optimization: Bigham advocates for considering the entire system—tires, wheels, frame, and rider position—rather than focusing on individual components. This comprehensive approach leads to more effective performance gains.

Aerodynamic Testing: Utilizing on-bike aerodynamic sensors and conducting testing in controlled environments, such as velodromes, can provide precise data to inform equipment choices and riding strategies.

Continuous Improvement: Embracing a mindset of ongoing testing and refinement is crucial. Even small adjustments, informed by accurate data, can lead to significant performance improvements over time.

The Bottom Line

​If you're not testing, you're just hoping. And hope isn't fast.