Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a wind tunnel?

Most of us experiment with our aero position, but find it very difficult to identify the most efficient position because there are so many variables when we simply ride against the clock (cross-winds, power output and comfort). A power meter will help, but the measurement resolution is still going to be a few percent for most of us even when performed in the velodrome.

Historically, the only kind of wind tunnel testing available to cyclists has been in large tunnels which, for the amateur cyclist, are prohibitively expensive. Now, Velo Science has developed the Drag 2 Zero concept, using a smaller tunnel which can find gains of 0.5% - more than sufficient for a cyclist at this level. The lower costs involved in the smaller tunnel has allowed Velo Science to open up wind tunnel testing to more cyclists.

The Shrivenham wind tunnel provides an accurate tool for measuring the effect of small changes in riding position and bike setup, enabling us to identify changes smaller than 0.3%. If all the gains are then put together as package a significant performance gain can be found.

This wind tunnel will provide the majority of amateur cyclists with sufficient gains, however as you would expect, there is a limit on where this tunnel will take you – after 15 to 20 hours of testing the gains would be getting too small to measure and at this point it would be necessary to look at advanced tunnels where a professional rider would be happy to find gains of 1%. Velo Science has access to a more advanced wind tunnel which is currently being commissioned if these further gains are required – Click here to contact us for further details.

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What do we do in the wind tunnel?

For a rider that has never been in a wind tunnel, we would first make fairly broad changes and identify where the rider needs to be. By analyzing your position and testing your drag, we will come up with a position which might not be novel but it will be the right one for you.

So many riders spend their seasons tweaking their position without knowing which position is the optimum. Even if you go away with a position you have ridden before, after testing the position in the wind tunnel at least you will know (rather then guessing) that it is the most efficient position, and you can concentrate on simply riding and not worrying about whether your position is the right one.

We will define a range of positions to reduce your drag coefficient. Once the tunnel test is finished you will then asses the most promising positions on a turbo trainer using a power meter (Power Tap Pro 2.4 wireless) to determine what the power/drag ratio is. Furthermore, it will become clear that certain positions are unpractical and uncomfortable. All of this will be done close to your lactate threshold so that an accurate assessment can be made of the optimum position.

Usually the rider will go away with a position that they can adopt immediately that will enhance performance, and then try a more extreme position that we have suggested that they will need to train around / change their bio mechanics so that comfort and power can be improved. An analytical model is used to determine the relative time gains, typically the rider will have three riding options identified for them:

Baseline position
Current optimum position
Ultimate optimum position with recommendations on how to achieve this.

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DRAG2ZERO testing protocol

The Drag 2 Zero test protocol has been derived to give the amateur rider a complete service, so that other factors such as bio-mechanics, comfort and power output are all taken into consideration.

With a growing customer base, the test protocol will naturally evolve.

Rider Questionnaire upon booking confirmation
Rider briefing
Baseline aero position with 2D video analysis to measure bio-mechanics, and body geometry.
Wind Tunnel test program.
Power measurement and position assessment on the turbo trainer.
Test briefing with recommendations and analytical analysis.
All data remains confidential, and is supplied to the rider at the end of test on DVD

Additional Services Include

Bike fitting and Equipment evaluation
VeloScience will stock and sell a range of specialist products such as areo-helmets, skin suits, aero bars, saddles and stems to allow you to find your best set. Equipment selection is all about what is right for you; the helmet which works best for one person not be the most efficient for another. If you get your equipment tested before you buy it will save you time and money. Bike fitting can be done in conjunction with bike shops.
Orthotics
Bio-mechanical assessment with qualified physiotherapist. (probably also need to mentioned in the page dealing with packages)

These services and others are currently being developed

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