Originally Posted by
Quinn8it
Anyone got any insight/tips on getting started with AeroLab?
I would like to go down to VSC (indoor wood 250m) and run some test on wheels... especially my 5-spoke versus my Front Disc..
thanks
-Q
Front disc indoors. There's a ton of data out there that I've seen and if you add everything in (relative wind + rotational drag + friction) you can't beat a well set up disc. At speed the lack of open space in the wheel requires a lot of effort to turn so they steer slow. That's OK and even good for pursuit events but not so great for mass start stuff, not sure about their legality in things like the kilo or 200.
There's a lot of wheel data out there from tunnels, but be aware that spoke count and type/length will change the sum total of the parts. Tires and tire temp also factor in, sometimes a lot. And of course tire pressure.
Mr. Chung is correct in that testing at VSC requires "clean" air. I've used Jim's testing set up and it's very good. I've also done my own testing during morning and 4-7 sessions. The minute other riders are on the track your consistency goes away.
The best VSC wheel/tire might be the best Encino set up on a given day, or the worst if the wind changes. Generally I try to find the best for VSC, and a happy spot/range for Encino and San Diego for that day.