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Post by Radchenister on Jun 16, 2014 15:14:52 GMT
Nope, can't see me ever thinking those cranks are any good lol !
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Post by Radchenister on Jun 16, 2014 15:16:14 GMT
My opinions are partly devils advocate and partly that I don't want to see them dismissed for the wrong reasons. But I doubt they work as well as said. It's easy to get caught up with something and 'see' benefits which are not really there. How many people thought these were a good idea at the time.... Not dismissing them for the wrong reasons, simply don't believe the improvement factors that are being claimed.
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Post by Radchenister on Jun 16, 2014 15:24:04 GMT
Actually, reading his claims again in the article if it read 3% - 6% (rather than 3% - 20%) you'd probably find it more believable but I suspect that aero wheels would generate similar results.
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Post by chappers on Jun 16, 2014 15:27:40 GMT
I wouldn't have them on my bike just on the simple face of it looking so rank! Spoils the beauty of what a race bike is to me
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2014 17:05:33 GMT
I wouldn't have them on my bike just on the simple face of it looking so rank! Spoils the beauty of what a race bike is to me Very Valid Point. Most cyclists are more concerned with appearance than performance. The entire bicycle industry caters to those who imagine themselves to be racers and many effective innovations are ignored on the basis of appearance. I think the fairings look ugly on my bike too, but being 61 years old, I have long passed the vanity stage and I want something which works.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2014 19:46:25 GMT
I'm not saying they're a no no but the science doesn't add up to me. What are they actually doing? It's only a solution if considering friction / air resistance in isolation. If you have an aero rim and reduced spoke drag, then you get the same deal without the proportionally higher sail effect, you choose the depth to balance this. To claim that on the one hand they assist in reducing resistance (they will of course) and not be affected by cross winds or other factors is simply unscientific and emotive. There's the mass to carry here, relatively little on a heavy bike, relatively high on a light one - not so much of a deal on a flat road but when it's undulating and upward bound, then the disadvantage is magnified - not such a big deal if electric assisted, with easy wattage at hand but more of a deal with fickle and finite human power. As I said, we need to see an actual study, with comparative back to back testing - not anecdote and opinion from someone on an electric cruiser. The inventor has a website with test results for all to see. nullwinds.com But the best thing to do is build your own and try them. They cost almost nothing and you can be your own best source of testing knowledge.
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Post by Radchenister on Jun 16, 2014 20:21:01 GMT
It's a great subject but no thanks mate, I did take a look at the site before and now think there's a lot of vested interest and non scientific parameter bending in amongst it; IMO it's a good exercise for sure, 'A level' tech' style stuff ... but, the big but IMHO ... the development of more cost effective aero wheels has to be an aim over flimsy tack ons. I can't see them being any more than a tag on gimmick, I like my bikes to be ready and able on many levels, it's not really the 'Triban' way adding those things onto a KISS style bike or for that matter the way ahead for many other bikes IMHO.
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Post by Radchenister on Jun 16, 2014 20:25:02 GMT
I wouldn't have them on my bike just on the simple face of it looking so rank! Spoils the beauty of what a race bike is to me Very Valid Point. Most cyclists are more concerned with appearance than performance. The entire bicycle industry caters to those who imagine themselves to be racers and many effective innovations are ignored on the basis of appearance. I think the fairings look ugly on my bike too, but being 61 years old, I have long passed the vanity stage and I want something which works. Nature makes beautiful and technically sweet solutions without too much BS, so not an argument IMHO - discounting the aesthetic factor is a fool's gold; most designers I know, tend to say 'if it looks right, then it's probably right' (assuming they are part artist and engineer, understanding the parameters of the design challenge).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2014 12:30:15 GMT
Is this some sort of joke?
You've got pieces of cardboard gaffer taped to your mudguards.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2014 6:39:00 GMT
Is this some sort of joke? You've got pieces of cardboard gaffer taped to your mudguards. This forum is the joke. I'm sorry I ever posted here. I was hoping to share experiences with others who have experimented with a new technology; all I see is a bunch of people admiring the looks of their own bicycles with no regard for performance.
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Post by Rocket on Jun 28, 2014 12:52:01 GMT
I think a few people have been rather rude to this chap so I'll offer him an appology on behalf of the forum as we do claim to be the friendliest forum on the internet.
After all, none of us have actually tried his fairing idea so cannot pass comment. I don't care what my own bike looks like as long as it goes faster. I have red forks on a white frame. Form over function is not for me either.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2014 15:27:51 GMT
Those ARE pieces of cardboard gaffer taped to the mudguards though.
Not sure when pointing out fact became rude.
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