Outtakes: Aero Bike Test
- By VeloNews.com
- Published Feb. 28, 2011
- Updated Feb. 28, 2011 at 8:56 PM EDT
Blue AC1SL
At the recent Ironman world championships, VN tech editor Nick Legan was impressed with the bikes and the people behind Blue. So, we included the AC1SL in our testing.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Blue's Whites
The AC1SL comes with TRP calipers.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Wipp it
Blue choose to spec a Wipperman Connex chain with a SRAM Red drivetrain.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Blue bike, red state
Like all the bikes in our test — plus a standard road bike included for baseline measurements — the Blue was tested in North Carolina's A2 Wind Tunnel.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Quick Nick
After seven years on the road as a pro team mechanic, VN tech editor Nick Legan has a great understanding for what makes a good bike.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Cervélo S3
The Cervélo S3 was raced under the likes of Fabian Cancellara and Kristin Armstrong at the 2008 Olympics. It became available to the rest of us in 2009.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Out of the wind
Cervélo tucks the S3's cables into the top tube.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Tunnel time
All bikes tested in the A2 tunnel were standardized before measurements. This means that that seat and handlebars heights were identical, the cranks were in the exact same position, and the steerer tube lengths were the same.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
On the road again
As insightful as lab and wind tunnel data can be, there's no substitution for getting a bike out on the road. Each bike in the test was ridden for at least 30 hours.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Felt AR1
We measured each bike in the tunnel at 10 yaw angles. The Felt wasn't the fastest at any particular angle, but it was the most consistent across the range.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Power up
The AR1 comes with Shimano Di2. The battery is tucked under the bottom bracket.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Plug in
While Di2's wires are thinner than cables, they can create drag, too. Felt runs them through the bike's frame.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
And back out again
The AR1 rear derailleur cable routing pops back out of the frame just in front of the derailleur.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
A time trial bike?
From this view, you'd think the AR1 is a TT rig. And it some ways, it is — with a drop bar.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Felt in A2
Small things, like handlebar tape, make a big difference in the wind tunnel.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Caley Fretz
VN tech writer Caley Fretz is a Cat. 1 racer and one of our bike testers.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
Ridley Noah
The Noah draws from auto racing for its aerodynamic design.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
R-Flow
The Noah's fork has unique design that Ridley claims pulls turbulent air away from the turning spokes.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
R-Surface
The thicker points along some of the tubes have a 'sticky' paint that Ridley claims reduces drag.
In the current issue of VeloNews, we put four aero bikes head to head in the lab, in the wind tunnel and on the road.
An explanation of the torsional stiffness test we co-developed with Microbac Laboratories can be found here. The full results from this test, the wind tunnel testing and our analysis of each bike’s ride qualities and value can be found in the April issue of VeloNews, on newsstands now.
Here are some photo outtakes from the magazine piece.
FILED UNDER: Gallery TAGS: Blue Bicycle / Cervelo / Felt bicycles / Ridley
