Originally Posted by
HTupolev
I don't think they do, or at least not very broadly and holistically. Cycling research budgets just aren't all that huge; optimizing particular components for particular properties is a thing, and characterizing what's optimal is done for a few things where there's an efficient and repeatable way to measure effects with fast turnaround. Less so with things that are messy and take time to measure... even things that have demonstrably significant effects. For instance, suspension is the entire reason that we use pneumatic tires, but it's only been the last decade or so that anyone has gotten around to actually characterizing that effect on road bikes.
Maybe. Or maybe not. Probably not much, if that talk Abe_Froman linked is anything to go by.
Why should the link Abe posted be valid compared to all the race and test data teams amass? Is testing performed in auto racing against the clock?...or do they just show up at the track and just race too? Maybe I should buy a F1 car and try that?
So you don't think they test....broadly or holistically? They just show up and race?...lol. No wind tunnel testing?
Aerodynamics don't matter or at least they would rather not study it? No FEA to optimize weight and understand stiffness?
I wonder why bicycles are set up so much differently at the Classics compared to the TdF? Why wheelbases are longer, head tube angles generally less, chainstays longer, tires wider and run much less pressure? Or why specific gearing is chosen for particular venues? What's available in the parts bin that day? Or why they wear those pointy helmets some days and other days more conventional looking helmets? Fashion? Divine intervention? Or...why do TT bikes exist compared to conventional race bikes? Aren't TT bikes a little hard on the boys? That wasn't wrought by testing and determining a specific bike is faster at a particular venue?
Can't make this stuff up.
Do you think stiffness matters in a bicycle frame? Do you think stiffness matters more or less comparing a 12 year girl to Marcel Kittel?