Read about my experience here: http://chadmwilliamson.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-trip-to-a2-wind-tunnel.html
Warning…it’s long, but worth the read. To quickly summarize my results, I saved about 20 watts (at 25 mph) and learned a whole lot about my position in the process. I’ve raced twice since then and can clearly see the results. Thoughts/comments/opinions are welcome.
Nice report and thanks for sharing.
Great to see other guys sharing this kind of stuff.
Thanks
beautiful illustration of wind tunnel testing translating immediately to real world results!
This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
beautiful illustration of wind tunnel testing translating immediately to real world results!
Wait a sec. I’ve been assured that wind tunnels aren’t real world.
beautiful illustration of wind tunnel testing translating immediately to real world results!
Wait a sec. I’ve been assured that wind tunnels aren’t real world.
FTW
to be fair, he did not report his watt savings as i/-i watts 
.
beautiful illustration of wind tunnel testing translating immediately to real world results!
Wait a sec. I’ve been assured that wind tunnels aren’t real world.
FTW
+1
Nice report. Good to see those green dots were in the right place.
Thank you.
Hope there will be an A2 in Europe …
sounds like you had a productive test session.
of course- the frame bottle removal was probably obvious, but at least you quantified it.
every time someone uses the phrase “in the real world” it drives me nuts
.
sounds like you had a productive test session.
of course- the frame bottle removal was probably obvious, but at least you quantified it.
definitely obvious…never used it for short course stuff but now I know not to use it for half or full distance if I can avoid it
Nice write up - always interesting to hear of people’s experiences in the tunnel.
20 watts! Jebus…
Awesome! Thanks for the write up… very well done, and good improvement.
It’s amazing how much better the Selector looks on you than the LG. I have a similar shaped head, so I might have to check those out.
Your CdA is still ~.25, which is high for someone your size. Your equipment is good so it looks like clothing and position are about it.
One thing I notice is that your shoulders really stick out. Some people are born with narrow shoulders and the rest of us have to work on pulling them in… ie “shrug”. IME low pads help with this in addition to lots of practice. And another thing is the “turtle”… point your neck down and tilt your head up just enough to peer out. Neither is comfortable, but with practice they can be held for a long time. I’m also wondering if you might gain something with the mantis and elbows together.
About the “pinching” when you get too low, I went to 22mm shorter cranks this year, and that issue went away. I was hoping for a power increase but I haven’t seen one yet. Sure feels better though, and I have 2 cm more drop which is probably a little more aero.
That’s what I got out of it too he made some great improvements no doubt. But 250 is still a ton to go 25mph.
Awesome! Thanks for the write up… very well done, and good improvement.
It’s amazing how much better the Selector looks on you than the LG. I have a similar shaped head, so I might have to check those out.
Your CdA is still ~.25, which is high for someone your size. Your equipment is good so it looks like clothing and position are about it.
One thing I notice is that your shoulders really stick out. Some people are born with narrow shoulders and the rest of us have to work on pulling them in… ie “shrug”. IME low pads help with this in addition to lots of practice. And another thing is the “turtle”… point your neck down and tilt your head up just enough to peer out. Neither is comfortable, but with practice they can be held for a long time. I’m also wondering if you might gain something with the mantis and elbows together.
About the “pinching” when you get too low, I went to 22mm shorter cranks this year, and that issue went away. I was hoping for a power increase but I haven’t seen one yet. Sure feels better though, and I have 2 cm more drop which is probably a little more aero.
Yea I’ve always noticed my shoulders kind of stick out, probably from all my years as a rower back in college. I tried the turtle in the tunnel but I’m not sure I was doing it right because it didn’t seem to make a difference.
I’ve definitely thought about shorter cranks since I ride 175mm. With only 2-3 races left in the season I figured I could potentially try that in the offseason. I used every bit of 2 hours and did 26 runs just to get from where I was to where I am now…we were moving non stop and by the end of it I was dead tired. Thanks for the insight.
That’s what I got out of it too he made some great improvements no doubt. But 250 is still a ton to go 25mph.
yea I know…I had so much stuff to fix, it took every bit of 2 hours and 26 runs to knock off 20 watts. hopefully I can find a few more in the future. maybe shorter crank arms and an even lower position.