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New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes
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Given recent threads on the 2015 Cervelo S5, the Felt AR and the new Canyon Aeroad CF SLX, I'm amazed nobody has picked up on the latest aero road bike tests by Tour Magazine. While the full analysis is available in the latest Tour International issue, the raw drag plots using the Tour half-mannequin are openly accessible online. I'm aware that people have pointed out caveats to the Tour testing protocol but it's still the best – indeed only – independent comparative data we have on these new models. IMO even if there are failings they should be applauded for their work.

A few Clif notes:
- With the same Zipp 404 wheel set up it is pretty much a wash between the S5, the AR FRD and the Canyon Aeroad (each with their own, sometimes proprietary aero bar)
- Lower range models from each manufacturer were also tested, with wheelsets they came with and then with Swiss Side Hadrons. Looking through the results for models with identical frame forms (e.g. the Felts) suggests that the Hadrons are effectively as aero the Zipp 404s.
- Negligible difference between the AR FRD with 404s and aero handlebar vs AR3 with Hadrons and standard handlebar; does the aero handlebar have little benefit, or a failing in the Tour testing protocol?
- Cervelo S5 with HED Jet 6 Plus SCT faster across almost all yaws (including zero) than with the 404s. Would the HEDs have the same effect on the Felt and Canyon? Are the HEDs currently the fastest wheels at 60 mm depth?
Last edited by: duncan: Jan 25, 15 12:38
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [duncan] [ In reply to ]
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Thanx for the link to the data site .. oSo >>

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the s u r f b o a r d of the K u r p f a l z is the r o a d b i k e .. oSo >>
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [duncan] [ In reply to ]
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Pretty cool that very aero road bikes are now basically commodity items - no longer the sole domain of Cervelo and Zipp, etc.

You're right that the HED data kind of jumps out at you, and you're right it'd be good to see that corroborated on a few more frames.
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [duncan] [ In reply to ]
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Hm, the data is cwA at yaw. Better would be watt at speed with yaw ..

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the s u r f b o a r d of the K u r p f a l z is the r o a d b i k e .. oSo >>
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [sausskross] [ In reply to ]
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Ya, what is the conversion from cwa to watts at 30mph?

It's not exactly a secret that HED wheels perform better at higher yaw angles. I don't think they win any points in the cool department vs. Zipp 404's (carbon fairing over an AL rim.)
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [sausskross] [ In reply to ]
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.. o.k. should be something about 3 to 5 Watt difference at 10m/s for 0,01 cwA change within 20°C, 1000mbar !?

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the s u r f b o a r d of the K u r p f a l z is the r o a d b i k e .. oSo >>
Last edited by: sausskross: Jan 26, 15 6:07
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [sausskross] [ In reply to ]
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Hm, the data is cwA at yaw. Better would be watt at speed with yaw ..

PLEASE GAWD, NOOOO!!!!!

Learn to think in CdA. It's the only correct way to present aero data. If you know the CdA delta from one configuration to another, you can quickly evaluate how much the total drag savings was (in %).

W/speed is much less useful. What if you ride slower (or faster)? What if you are at altitude? What if it is hot (or cold)?

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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [rruff] [ In reply to ]
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You are right, but you know, I'm a rider ;-)

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the s u r f b o a r d of the K u r p f a l z is the r o a d b i k e .. oSo >>
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [sausskross] [ In reply to ]
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sausskross wrote:
Hm, the data is cwA at yaw. Better would be watt at speed with yaw ..

CdA is the best way to present that data.
.005cda ~= 5watts

easy to convert in your head



Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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Thanx jackmott, that is exactly what my head wanted, a fast estimation of differences. As long as all riders are in the same race the conditions are fixed without the speed and their use of energy ..

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the s u r f b o a r d of the K u r p f a l z is the r o a d b i k e .. oSo >>
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [rruff] [ In reply to ]
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1. Swiss Hadron wheels did pretty well. Very surprising to me.
2. Hed Jet 6 plus! Clear winner.
3. Buy a Cervelo S5 or Felt AR
Last edited by: Nick B: Jan 25, 15 15:43
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [duncan] [ In reply to ]
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Looking through the results for models with identical frame forms (e.g. the Felts) suggests that the Hadrons are effectively as aero the Zipp 404s.

Look at the Cervelo, Giant, and Merida charts. The Hadrons were significantly higher drag.

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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [rruff] [ In reply to ]
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rruff wrote:
Looking through the results for models with identical frame forms (e.g. the Felts) suggests that the Hadrons are effectively as aero the Zipp 404s.

Look at the Cervelo, Giant, and Merida charts. The Hadrons were significantly higher drag.

Cervelo S2 vs S5. The Hadrons seem to live up to their own claims of being as fast as a Zipp 404. *although a bit slower at lower yaw.
Last edited by: Nick B: Jan 25, 15 15:43
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [sausskross] [ In reply to ]
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sausskross wrote:
the conditions are fixed without the speed and their use of energy ..

Until the moment comes to win!



Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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Sounds like a sprinter ;-)

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the s u r f b o a r d of the K u r p f a l z is the r o a d b i k e .. oSo >>
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [sausskross] [ In reply to ]
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sausskross wrote:
Sounds like a sprinter ;-)

Yes, but applies to anyone aiming to win. At some point you take off on your own. I just have to wait till the last moment unfortunately :(



Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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A sprinter saying thank you behind the finish line first after his win is not so bad and means the ride was a little bit flat but not boring fortunately ..

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the s u r f b o a r d of the K u r p f a l z is the r o a d b i k e .. oSo >>
Last edited by: sausskross: Jan 25, 15 16:14
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [rruff] [ In reply to ]
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [Nick B] [ In reply to ]
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Cervelo S2 vs S5.

Doh! Sorry... different frames.

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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [duncan] [ In reply to ]
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Surprised we didn't see the Scott Foil tested.
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [jjabr] [ In reply to ]
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jjabr wrote:
Surprised we didn't see the Scott Foil tested.

This was a test of aero road bikes.

oooo burn!

But really, the foil, trek madone, R5 etc are really a different category of semi-aero road.

Which is a cool category, just not this one.



Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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maybe a dumb question, why is the CDA so low?….I am assuming "CWA" means CDA.

Is it lack of rotation? Or perfectly smooth Dummy? Or perhaps lack of helmet?

Just curious, I don't think Cervelo got super low numbers like that with the Zabreiski dummy in TT.

Maurice
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [mauricemaher] [ In reply to ]
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Re: New Tour tests of 2015 aero road bikes [jackmott] [ In reply to ]
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That would make sense according to my about average understanding of aerodynamics, without arms you might think the bar would have more importance then as it represents cleaner flow at the front?

I guess it makes sense to test that way as it is repeatable compared to an actual person peddling and hoping for the same position (as seen in some other tests)

I'll leave that to the you and the other "above average aero guys"

(edit: maybe need some pics, and Herbert to translate ;-)

Maurice
Last edited by: mauricemaher: Jan 25, 15 18:04
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