I found some prior posts where people speculated on the possibility of using the ibike aero paired with a power meter to perfect your position. As of yet, I have not found any experiences, (or even better, data!) relative to this.
My primary focus is ironman racing and I had considered wind tunnel testing, but I was skeptical that formal testing results would be applicable over 112 miles.
To my mind, this technology would be more relevant because I could evaluate the effects of position changes based on set protocols and also how they look over long training rides.
So, those with experience, please respond, but as always, opinions, theories and random comments are welcome!
Hey gabbieV,
I would love to see any of the data you have. Also, do you feel that it was pretty reproducible? I am trying to decide if it is worthwhile to go to the wind tunnel, get an ibike and PM set up, or both. I can see the pros and cons of each, but as I think about it more, I really wonder if the wind tunnel trip would add anything. I think the ibike + PM would help me with some things that neither the Chung method nor the wind tunnel can. For example, I might be really aero in the tunnel and with a test protocol if I hold my head in a certain position, but over a 5 hour training ride, if I can’t hold that position, I wont be that aero. This may be too subtle to realize on my own (for example, I think I don’t move at all, but in reality I am moving my head a good bit), but I think it would show up in the cDA numbers.
As of now this is just a thought experiment, though I am seriously considering acting on it.
Thanks,
Lyndon
I really wonder if the wind tunnel trip would add anything.
It lets you do controlled yaw.
True, but IF the ibike powermeter combo works well you should get real world data, which is more important.
Styrrell
True, but IF the ibike powermeter combo works well you should get real world data, which is more important.
Wind tunnel data is “real world”.
I really wonder if the wind tunnel trip would add anything.
It lets you do controlled yaw.
It also:
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is a lot less time-consuming, and
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is usually (but not always) conducted with the assistance of individuals who have significant expertise in the area of cycling aerodynamics.
Reasons 1-3 (with testing at controlled yaw being #1) are why I talked my wife into going to the Texas A&M wind tunnel back in '07.
True, but IF the ibike powermeter combo works well you should get real world data, which is more important.
Wind tunnel data is “real world”.
Curious.
How many races are done in a wind tunnel?
How much for a wind tunnel session? How many variables can you evaluate during that session. If, in a month you change anything about your setup, does that not negate your entire wind tunnel session?
PowerTap: $1,000
iBike iAero: $800
Unlimited real world test data with real time CdA numbers? Priceless.
You can monkey with your position endlessly. You can change water bottles to your heart’s content to find just the right number of dimples. New bike? Take it to the real world wind tunnel.
Can’t do that in just one wind tunnel session!
True, but IF the ibike powermeter combo works well you should get real world data, which is more important.
Wind tunnel data is “real world”.
Curious.
How many races are done in a wind tunnel?
What about relativity don’t you understand?