Not just "wider tires" like some likes to ridicule. 35mm wouldn't change much indeed. Very much wider tires -> 50 or 60mm, full mtb but without profile, as it is inefficient on slick roads. You keep the geometry. You also impose gum material and an anti flat layer.
Advantages are:
1) much slower, at last
2) better cornering -> again more security
3) punctures made nearly inexistent -> less car support, again better security
4) more comfort for riders
Cons:
1) Advantage other riders, typically heavier rouleurs, Ganna-style, as you impose a base power load
I'm sure there'd be a technological solution found if there was interest. Could be through tires, but I suppose you could also built in some resistance (electronic or mechanical) somewhere, that takes a bit of the top end of the speed off. That might be easier for pedalling than free-wheeling though
Like if you remember those old bike lights, that got powered by the wheel spinning. That means the wheel spins a bit slower because some of the energy goes into the lamp. I'm sure we could make a modern version of that to slow bikes down, if we tried.
Point is, you can probably find a way to slow bikes down, if you tried, while keeping aerodynamic gains and advantages of having higher power similar, just at a lower base line.
Comments
1) much slower, at last
2) better cornering -> again more security
3) punctures made nearly inexistent -> less car support, again better security
4) more comfort for riders
Cons:
1) Advantage other riders, typically heavier rouleurs, Ganna-style, as you impose a base power load
Point is, you can probably find a way to slow bikes down, if you tried, while keeping aerodynamic gains and advantages of having higher power similar, just at a lower base line.
Attached to the back wheel
1980s