At 12:42 AM +0100 9/26/07, Norris Lockley wrote:
>The tests showed that at a speed of 30kms/hr, the standard alloy racing
>wheel consumed 12.6 watts, whereas the CORIMA only used 6 watts.
>
Considering that a recreational rider on an on-topic bike will put out about 150 Watt at this speed, the 6.6 Watt saved isn't all that significant... About 4% of your power output. And that is on a very aero bike where the airflow was very good everywhere else. On a standard road bike, your gains probably are smaller - the figures I have seen 2-3% improvement in aerodynamics, not power output. If we go to the wind tunnel again, we may try to test an aero wheel... even if it's off-topic for this list.
When you compare that to the - on-topic - power savings by using classic tires with cotton or silk casings...
Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave #C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.bikequarterly.com