I am at the early stages of testing a hypothesis that, as far as I know, nobody has ever thought about testing. How do I know? Every single brainiac, engineer, physicist, aero-geek, triathlete, cyclist, time-trialist, who’s results I have seen, or who has posted their aero results has missed it. It is so plain in front of their faces (no pun intended) that they can’t see the forest through the trees. I have only told one person, he is an engineer by profession, a very fast triathlete, and believes I am on to something.
So my question is this:
What and/or where do you think is the best test for aerodynamics on a bike, and why?
Your qualifications in your reply would be great appreciated. You may post here or feel free to send me PM.
Kraig Willet (biketechreview.com) + San Diego LSWT will give you excellent data and appropriate feedback.
He knows his stuff and won’t give you a false sense of accuracy.
If what you want to test is a variation of a body position and/or appendage position and/or garment, unless it is a large item, it would be ideal to test it on bike with a full or partial human cycling dummy of some sort. Or if you want to test an item on the bike that has a large interaction with the rider. For example, front wheels are items that tend to not interact a lot with the rider while handlebars and aerobars do. The reason to use a dummy vs a live rider is that live people tend to move from test to test and during tests. And even small unconscious body position changes can effect large drag changes, such that the difference that you would notice from your test item could be potentially exaggerated or lessened. So you basically get no reliable data.
Hi Neal, thanks for the endorsement of Kraig. No hints at this time, but I will probably make it into a fun contest sort of thing just prior to the release of the news.
I was not in a skin suit for my tests and my jersey would ride up between tests when I was moving around the bike and they could see the difference … so the tunnel controller would tell me over the loudspeaker system to ‘pull my shirt down’ and my son watching the outputs in the control room could see a reduction in drag when I got the wrinkles out of my shirt.
I was followed by a very good TT rider that flew into SD to test several different skin suits. It was an education for me as the differences between suits were in double digits of Watts and they all looked the same (to my unpracticed eye).
Git more aero … Free speed … Lookin’ for Free Speed … Lookin’ for Free Speed
The Auto Research Center in Indianapolis might be worth considering. They have been around for a long time for race and production vehicle testing, and have recently started testing for the cycling industry. I have contact info, if you like.
The Auto Research Center in Indianapolis might be worth considering. They have been around for a long time for race and production vehicle testing, and have recently started testing for the cycling industry. I have contact info, if you like.
The Auto Research Center in Indianapolis might be worth considering. They have been around for a long time for race and production vehicle testing, and have recently started testing for the cycling industry. I have contact info, if you like.
Hire Mike Giraud, head to the A2 tunnel or SD tunnel since they are the most accurate and you are good to go. Mike has more wind tunnel time and cycling knowledge than most and ran the A2 tunnel for years.
I put together a group of some fastest TTer in the county for two days of testing at Faster earlier this year. Great experience, solid data and a wealth of knowledge.
based upon that, I am going with some type of hand covering. castelli has goofy gloves, a buddy dreamt some up but decided to mad his long sleeve SS instead to cover them, etc.
Hire Mike Giraud, head to the A2 tunnel or SD tunnel since they are the most accurate and you are good to go. Mike has more wind tunnel time and cycling knowledge than most and ran the A2 tunnel for years.
Happy to make the introduction for you.
Mike Giraud did not really run the tunnel, Dave did.
