Login required to started new threads

Login required to post replies

Post deleted by TRIPRO
Last edited by: TRIPRO: Oct 16, 20 12:11
Re: Official Kú TF1 thread [TRIPRO] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Ok I'll start (after having already discussed in the other thread):

According to the homepage
https://www.ku-cycle.com/design-cfd/
following is stated:
"The TF1 configuration shows decreased rider drag and increased bike drag in comparison to the P5 configuration. This results in a small overall increase total drag."

So it seems that the KU is aerodynamically slightly worse that the (old) P5?
If I understand that well, why do they put that on their homepage?
Quote Reply
Re: Official Kú TF1 thread [longtrousers] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
If you'll allow me to tell a long story to answer a short question ;)

The driving concept for the CFD aero study that goes back to 2017 was to investigate the manipulation of the air flow to reduce the drag of the rider and bike combined. This use of the air is fundamental to vehicle aerodynamics, it’s what gives us downforce in a race car. In my experience most bike designs are based solely around minimising the obstruction for the air to passively reduce drag. What you see in the CFD study is that although the bike is worse than the P5 baseline, the contribution to overall drag from the rider is reduced. This demonstrated that the concept of manipulating the airstream could work.

The contribution of the rider is so large a small improvement in this area can have a large impact on the overall CdA. The basic CFD concept model of the bike + rider presented an almost identical CdA to the P5 + rider. Back in 2017 this was sufficient proof of concept for me to progress to real prototypes, a process which took another two years.

Taking us up to August 2020, we see from the velodrome performance test results that, even though the aero development of the now the P5 Disc has advanced from the older model we used for CFD, so has development of the Kú TF1, more than keeping pace.

In the velodrome test, the rider position (Jeroen Van Geelen) was exactly replicated from his P5 Disc (2020) to a Kú TF1 built specifically for him. Our test protocol did not allow for optimisation of his position on the Kú TF1. The test purpose was to emphasise the like-for-like comparison of moving his fit from his existing bike to the Kú TF1. The result is a competitive development platform with considerable room for further optimisation of the rider and Kú TF1 combination.....

What we show on the website is full disclosure, with all our numbers telling the story of our development process; CFD testing (2017), shakedown testing (Feb 2020) and performance testing (Aug 2020), demonstrating the Kú TF1 already being competitive to the P5 disc and a significantly lower CdA than two other recognised branded Tri bikes.




http://www.ku-cycle.com
Quote Reply
Re: Official Kú TF1 thread [Richard@Kú] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Thanks for your extensive answer. It is good that you get already near to a bike like the p5D which is generally acknowledged as very good.

It is a pity :-) that my "old" P5 still functions well, I must say I would consider the KU seriously. I like the concept as a whole and especially the personalized paintjob with which you can get it.
Quote Reply
Post deleted by TRIPRO [ In reply to ]
Re: Official Kú TF1 thread [TRIPRO] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Interesting concept and bike. One question, how is the real-world standover clearance with most riders on thse bikes? The top tube seems extremely high and it looks like, when standing or trying to mount the bike, there will very little space between the top tube and the rider's body.

Advanced Aero TopTube Storage for Road, Gravel, & Tri...ZeroSlip & Direct-mount, made in the USA.
DarkSpeedWorks.com.....Reviews.....Insta.....Facebook

--
Quote Reply
Post deleted by TRIPRO [ In reply to ]
Re: Official Kú TF1 thread [TRIPRO] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
the (effective) headtube angle/rake on that thing looks crazy - like downhill MTB levels of slackness! how's handling?

____________________________________
https://lshtm.academia.edu/MikeCallaghan

http://howtobeswiss.blogspot.ch/
Quote Reply