MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Aerodynamics and its Dynamics

We have always discussed about many things on our rides besides technical know how's and bike tech. So here's some techie insight to going aero.

Aerodynamics plays a huge role in the bicycle world and more so especially on road bikes.

Many different wheel manufacturers have different R&D methods and tricks up their sleeves. Notable houses include the likes of Zipp, HED Cycling, and Enve Composites, not forgetting Madfiber.

A lot of wind tunnel testing has been done to make sure that most of the wheels perform under varying real world wind conditions to ensure stability and ease of handling.

Why so much attention to wheel sets you may ask. This is because the next most important drag inducing component on a bicycle after the frame is the wheel set where spokes and surfaces such as the tire and depth of the wheel generates turbulent airflow which in turns increases drag. This equates to you churning out more watts (effort) to maintain forward motion.

Of course we cannot do anything to streamline the rider of the bike apart from donning tights and suits which are fitting to reduce drag.

But what manufacturers can do is to make aero road legal frames which have seen hundreds of hours in the wind tunnels as well as come up with wind cheating wheels to compliment the bike.

That's why you will notice that aero wheels play an important role in races where every mili-second counts.

The amount of effort and R&D put into the wheels also means that we will have to pay a premium to enjoy the aero benefits.

Do note that the majority of the effects of aero wheels can and will only be felt at speeds of 30kmh and above as anything below that has no significant effect on drag and speed.

Having said that, up till today, aero wheel manufacturers have more or less targeted a specific frame manufacturer and have come up with wheels which are catered to fit only certain bike models from certain manufacturers.

And usually on a road bike, the front and the rear wheel depth is the same.

Interestingly, manufacturers such as ENVE Composites are debunking the theory that wheel sets should be specifically tailored only for specific brands.

They have come up with their own set of front and rear specific wheels which can be used on any regular bike frame regardless of make.

So consider the facts and benefits that you will gain before going to make that pocket-burning purchase. Otherwise, stick to good old proven training wheels if you think that aero is still a long way to go! hehe!

Apart from having the best equipment and a well maintained bike... here's an interesting explanation by Aerodynamics guru - Steve Hed.

Aerodynamics is the study of how a solid body moves through the air . So when we relate that definition to the sport of cycling, it's about how a rider and machine overcome air resistance created by forward motion and the prevailing wind. The lower the resistance, the faster you go.

At 25mph, 80% of an average rider's power output is used just to overcome the effects of wind drag when riding on the flat. Any reduction in this percentage results in either an increase in speed or a decrease in effort.

The speed you can achieve on your bike is determined by two factors. The first is how much power you are able to produce, measured in watts. The second is wind resistance, commonly referred to as "drag" and is usually measured in pounds at 30 mph in wind tunnel testing. The faster you go, the more wind drag there is to overcome. This is why a rider with a technical advantage is often able to go faster than one with a greater power output.

It's a relatively simple matter to design an aero wheel capable of producing a low drag factor against a direct headwind. However, we understand that a true zero degree headwind is almost unknown on the road. All it takes is a 5mm lateral shift by the rider and the headwind becomes a side wind in relation to the front wheel. Designing a wheel that performs well in all wind conditions is therefore paramount.

By carefully regulating the depth and shape of our wheels, we can achieve optimum wheel performance no matter what the wind conditions happen to be. When our numbers go down in the wind tunnel, you go faster out on the road.

JERSEY 2012 - first edition :)

Here it is - am finalizing orders n sizing for this and we shld be able to don this intime for OCBC Cycle 2012 :) thansk to all for your inputs comments and esp How for craeting teh unique Cyclospore logo!
Once again - thanks to the sponsors for being so ready to help us create this :)

Akan datang - Our very own team jersey n shorts!!

Great news! we have lined up our major sponsor, UNIMAX CREATIVE, to get our jerseys and shorts done and ready in time for our first official outing at OCBC CYCLE 2012. Unimax is a leading Interior Decor firm helmed by old friends of mine, and their tag line 'exceed aspirations' is a good credo to live by.

We also have on board KAI MEDICAL CLINIC, run by my very gd doctor friend of mine ( Dr Tan) who will be helping us with our nutrition from high glycemic low CO2 produsing carbos to isotonic tablets for hydration and glucosamine pills to ensure our joints are tip top shape!

Ode To Studio has also just jumped in as our official photograpers and we will be many more pics with them in their cool photostudio.

Here's a teaser : our cool shorts!!

PHOTOSHOOT @ ODE TO STUDIO

How many ways can 9 cyclists pose? :) Let me count the ways.....

PHOTOSHOOT @ ODE TO STUDIO

Call it what you will but whatever it was, it was fun to get everyone (well almost!) together in their biking best to capture for posterity a group pic! Never mind the rain that pelted us soaking wet, we warmed up like modelseque pros to the lights , flashes and camera action agst a cyclorama back drop. Here is a sampling of the noon time posterity shots! ( Courtesy of Ro and Gabs who footed the bill)

















From R to L: Winston, Joey, Clement,Ming,Howitzer,Gabs,Arv,Rupert and Vic


(absent with apologies: Cheryl, Matt and Andy)

Look! it's Matt!!!

Changing Tyres is a chance for a Breather! :)

How many times did we get to see tyres go pop? Quite a few times. And of course it is now Cyclospore legend how How and Rocket 'picked' up Gab when his bike tyre needed a quick change!Whatever it is, tyre changes are rather sociable (albeit sweaty) events! Here are candid shots of tyres being changed during our rides out .......

Saturday Social Ride 22 Oct 2011

Yoohoo!

SSC - Upper Thomson - Mandai - Neo Tiew - LCK - Brickland Road (Stopover @ farm mart for drinks and breakfast) - Loop back!

Distance: 45km thereabouts

Would be nice to have everyone (Matty and How included, haven't seen you in a long long time, as well as our new friend Raziz) down for a ride and play catchup.

Cheryl would want to make some noise on how the organizers screwed up at OCBC KL too (lol).

RV @ SSC, 7am.

Looking forward. Cheers

Tuesday rides with Team Midpoint

Some intrepid members from Cyclospore ( yours truly, Arv, Cheryl and Clem) have joined in the regular Tuesday nite rides for newbies under the auspices of Team Midpoint. I shall be taking part for the third time this evening , with a different route that they are proposing, and at a faster av speed (28 kmh).

Its a regular Tuesday group of 20 plus riders - a friendly fast bunch who provide a fine and thrilling oportunity to experinec peloton riding. and they are safe too, with minders and leaders n sweepers.

Will upload a few more pics of our rides with them in due course!

Easy Ride - 15th October 2011 0700 hrs

We welcome Raziz and his Cannondale CAAD1o!

Our regards to Arv, Cheryl and Winston riding in KL OCBC Cycle!!!

Ride - 08 Oct 2011 0700 hrs

More Pics from Sungei Renggit Ride

Some of the pics were taken dangerously whilst riding alongside the subjects. But for the sake of digital posterity, yours truly balanced away and snapped snapped snapped away!

We will be planning our own trip again and this time around order MORE lobster and chilli crab too!

Safely back on terra firma (Changi) after a one hour bumboat ride! :) ($12 each way)

Recent Trip to Sungei Renggit, Johore

01 October 2011