RE: [CR]Tyres aerodynamics debate, how to get undisputable data.

(Example: Framebuilders:Cecil Behringer)

From: "Ken Freeman" <freesound@comcast.net>
To: "'nick Bordo'" <nicbordeaux@yahoo.fr>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <261465.28398.qm@web28005.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: [CR]Tyres aerodynamics debate, how to get undisputable data.
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:58:57 -0400
In-Reply-To: <261465.28398.qm@web28005.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>
Thread-Index: Acf+IcB663nml8OkQq+RTf61zSS1ugAG39Yg


Nick, if you know where to write there might be an interesting response. As an automotive engineer, I agree that you will never see their raw data. But they may have published something, and could provide their references, or there may have been a white paper or two, that are no longer considered proprietary. Lotus may think it can gain some kudos and beneficial relations if they toot their horn to this community. Their work has probably been superceded by Trek's work on Armstrong and Discover.

I think it's worth a try!

Ken Freeman Ann Arbor, MI USA

-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of nick Bordo Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 4:38 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Tyres aerodynamics debate, how to get undisputable data.

I guess I shall be kicked for both too KOF and OT on this one, but there was some very thorough testing of bicycle aerodynamics done by some of the greatest racing on wheels engineeers in the world: the Lotus Formula 1 team.

That was for Chris Boardman's attempt at the hour record on his specifically designed carbon Lotus or am I wrong again and he only used it in the Barcelona Olympics, which he thoroughly dominated in the 4000m? You can safely assume that (I remember for fact reading that they did) put man on bicycle in a wind tunnel and worked at every factor they knew about, and I guess they knew a thing or two.

Were I to write to Lotus asking for their data, the best I could hope for would be a polite referal to a psychiatrist (plus I don't think there is a Lotus team any more). Maybe somebody with a reputation in the cycling world could write the people involved in the tunnel experiments ?

My point being that as far as pure aerodynamics go, the testing data is there, and maybe available. I guess those people also took into account all the other known factors implicated in high speed forward movement of the two wheeled contraption named a bicycle. On flat surfaces, at least.

Nick Bordo, Agen, 47000 France

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