Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Wheel cover

I'm looking for a wheel cover that will fit the wheel that comes stock on the TK2. I'm going to use my 50mm carbon clincher with a nutted axle on the front. Anything I'm missing here?

Why do you want a wheel cover?

Why do you want a wheel cover?

Because they work?

If racing under UCI rules, wheel covers are illegal...

Because they work?

Work for what?

Check with Wheelbuilder.com (http://www.wheelbuilder.com/store/aerodisc.html). Also, he may not have anything on the site, but may be able to make or adapt something for you.

But, yeah, I think they are illegal for UCI and therefore USA Cycling events.

So a disk wheel is legal but covers are not? I see them in use on the track here but I guess they could come apart. Thanks for the replies.

Work for what?

I saw a quote from a major wheel builder who admitted they were as effective as a disk at reducing drag.

So a disk wheel is legal but covers are not? I see them in use on the track here but I guess they could come apart. Thanks for the replies.

Well...


1M. Bicycles
1M1. Bicycles used in competition must be propelled solely by the rider's legs and shall have the following characteristics:

(b) There may be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle, which has the effect of reducing air resistance except that spoke covers may be used


1M7. Young Junior/Youth Bicycles
Beginning in 2012, all riders aged 12 and under will be restricted to massed-start bicycles as defined in 1M1(g). These bicycles must also have at least 16 spokes and no wheel covers may be used. In 2013, this rule will also be applied to riders aged 13-14.

So, yeah, they are legal.


I saw a quote from a major wheel builder who admitted they were as effective as a disk at reducing drag.

Yeah, they are effective.

They're extremely effective, and are legal under USAC rules, just not UCI. So no nationals or anything I believe.

I thought US Nationals were contested under US Cycling rules.

I thought US Nationals were contested under US Cycling rules.

Actually, US Elite track nationals is on the UCI calendar, so UCI points and therefore UCI rules.

For example, in 2010 when the Casco Warp helmet was not approved by CPSC and not allowed at other USA Cycling events, they were allowed there because they were under UCI rules.

They're extremely effective, and are legal under USAC rules, just not UCI. So no nationals or anything I believe.

So you guys can use them? All our racing is under UCI rules including the approved wheel list for road racing all the way down to local club races!

So you guys can use them? All our racing is under UCI rules including the approved wheel list for road racing all the way down to local club races!

That's a good question.

It's my understanding that USA Cycling rules apply for any USA Cycling event that is not on the UCI calendar nor is candidate for a a UCI World Record (or World Best) time.

For example, I think a national championship age 15-16 junior time trial racer can use them because 15-16 is not a UCI age category. But, 17-18 year olds must adhere to UCI rules...as well as Masters age 35+.

(Of course, I could be wrong)

There are (or have been) some National Championship times faster than World Record times but the UCI did not ratify them for one reason or another.

But for local and regional racing I don't think anybody would care. The only time I've ever had any equipment scrutinized was at bike check at National Championship events.

Well there's this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB0VXgAFuzg

Well there's this...

That is incredibly ghetto.

You could always get sketchy chinese carbon disk wheels: http://www.yishunbike.com/2012-yishunbike-full-tubular-carbon-disc-wheels-p-648.html

(side note, has anyone ever tried them?)

That actually works pretty well but don't use cardboard :rolleyes:


Well there's this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB0VXgAFuzg

That is incredibly ghetto.

You could always get sketchy chinese carbon disk wheels: http://www.yishunbike.com/2012-yishunbike-full-tubular-carbon-disc-wheels-p-648.html

(side note, has anyone ever tried them?)

It's actually not bad. It may not be durable, but I'm sure that it works. If he were able to use a more durable material instead of cardboard, it wouldn't be much different that this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xjBCxg7MJc

That is incredibly ghetto.

You could always get sketchy chinese carbon disk wheels: http://www.yishunbike.com/2012-yishunbike-full-tubular-carbon-disc-wheels-p-648.html

(side note, has anyone ever tried them?)

Not so sure if I'd label them sketchy. There's plenty of great reports about the carbon wheels coming out of China. Just as good (and some think even better, especially considering the price!) as some of the "big" names.

Wheelbuilder says that the disk covers are NOT compatable

Wheels that are always incompatible with covers:


Track or Fixie wheels




Check with Wheelbuilder.com (http://www.wheelbuilder.com/store/aerodisc.html). Also, he may not have anything on the site, but may be able to make or adapt something for you.

But, yeah, I think they are illegal for UCI and therefore USA Cycling events.

i used to build wheelcovers out of monokote, a heatshrink film/fabric for r/c planes. it's superlight and track wheels are really easy since you don't have to worry about the brake track you can glue the material right down to the edge of the rim. with a tubular tire you want to make sure you have a tire mounted before you build the cover, i think trying to mount a tire with the cover in place would be difficult to not damage the cover. the covers worked well and last a couple of years with regular use if set up well and reinforced around the valve stem.