Author Topic: Wanna go faster? Get wings  (Read 1930 times)

Wanna go faster? Get wings
« on: 02 October, 2008, 03:16:46 pm »

gonzo

Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #1 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:20:25 pm »
They were first invented some while ago I'm afraid. I think it was John Cobb over on Slowtwitch who was telling me that they did make him a little faster when TTing.

Mr Larrington

  • A bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds
  • Custard Wallah
    • Mr Larrington's Automatic Diary
Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #2 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:23:48 pm »
As exclusively reported in Issue 52 of the BHPC Newsletter back in 1998.  Well, exclusively apart from The Times and New Scientist.  Curiously, the item in the former stated "typically the rider represented about 64 per cent of aerodynamic drag and the bicycle a mere 21 per cent".  I am at a loss to work out what causes the remaining 15% of the aerodynamic drag, but then I'm not a njineer.
External Transparent Wall Inspection Operative & Mayor of Mortagne-au-Perche
Satisfying the Bloodlust of the Masses in Peacetime

Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #3 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:27:14 pm »
The original NS article is dated Feb. 1998. I think I've also seen old photos of some kind of plastic faring that looked ridiculous but did have an effect.

Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #4 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:28:57 pm »
the rider represented about 64 per cent of aerodynamic drag
but 100% of the power!

Mr Larrington

  • A bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds
  • Custard Wallah
    • Mr Larrington's Automatic Diary
Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #5 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:36:03 pm »
Yep, The Times article was from February 12th.
External Transparent Wall Inspection Operative & Mayor of Mortagne-au-Perche
Satisfying the Bloodlust of the Masses in Peacetime

border-rider

Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #6 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:36:14 pm »
"typically the rider represented about 64 per cent of aerodynamic drag and the bicycle a mere 21 per cent".  I am at a loss to work out what causes the remaining 15% of the aerodynamic drag, but then I'm not a njineer.

Carradice longflap, mudguards & plus-twos of course  ???

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #7 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:38:55 pm »
Didn't somebody in the USA modify Zipper fairings with a Lycra tube that went around the rider's bum, effectively fairing the arms.  AFAIR that was in the 80s sometime and there were some point-to-point long-distance records taken with this arrangement.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

border-rider

Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #8 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:40:38 pm »
So the old CTC boys with their capes actually were onto something

Mr Larrington

  • A bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds
  • Custard Wallah
    • Mr Larrington's Automatic Diary
Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #9 on: 02 October, 2008, 03:41:37 pm »
Didn't somebody in the USA modify Zipper fairings with a Lycra tube that went around the rider's bum, effectively fairing the arms.  AFAIR that was in the 80s sometime and there were some point-to-point long-distance records taken with this arrangement.

One Nigel Leaper had a similar setup on his (upright) machine in BHPC racing in the early 90's.  It was, natch, immediately dubbed "the sports bra".  Fabric fairings of one sort or another are fairly common on the Dark Side.
External Transparent Wall Inspection Operative & Mayor of Mortagne-au-Perche
Satisfying the Bloodlust of the Masses in Peacetime

Re: Wanna go faster? Get wings
« Reply #10 on: 03 October, 2008, 05:42:54 pm »
"typically the rider represented about 64 per cent of aerodynamic drag and the bicycle a mere 21 per cent".  I am at a loss to work out what causes the remaining 15% of the aerodynamic drag, but then I'm not a njineer.

Carradice longflap, mudguards & plus-twos of course  ???

Unless they were referring to form drag under the aero label, and the remainder, 15%, would be friction drag? The split wouldn't be silly.
Frenchie - Train à Grande Vitesse