We did all of our testing at 30mph this is the speed at which most manufacturers test and it adds resolution to the data compared to lower speeds.Īt the start of each run you have to hold still for a calibration, then the fans start and you begin pedalling, which brings a big surprise. The air speed is adjustable up to 90mph, enough to test scale models of aircraft and racing cars. Like scales, the balance used to be analogue and is now digital. This is like a set of scales but measuring how much the passing air is pushing you back - the more aerodynamic the total bike and rider system is, the less the air pushes you back. Your bike gets set up on the balance, the device that measures the drag force. It’s exciting to first step foot in the tunnel and you tip-toe around as if it’s all very fragile, though it actually isn’t.
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The test rider has lots of race and wind tunnel experience and knows how to hold a steady position.
We used control tyres and even control cassettes, with a 28t top sprocket because it’s in the wind. The air speed is adjustable up to 90mph, enough to test scale models of aircraft and racing carsīased on expert advice, we tested the wheels at two angles, 5 degrees and 12.5 degrees, in a tri bike with a pedalling rider.
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It’s no surprise, then, that it’s the go-to facility for Team GB and many professional teams and manufacturers. Prior to our testing we consulted with several top aerodynamicists to establish the best method and one referred to this tunnel as “the gold standard” for its excellent flow control systems that ensure the chop from the fans is smoothed and that the air meeting the test subject is consistently uniform. Mitchell wind tunnel at the University of Southampton is one of the most respected in the world. Your tester has extensive experience of this type of wheel as both a product tester and racer.
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On the road we studied stability, braking and stiffness, plus a subjective idea of speed, by riding hard on well-known roads and seeking out crosswinds. We used Michelin Power 4 Competitions as control tyres (except on the Mavics which come with specific tubs), running them all at 100/105psi and noting the inflated width measured with a caliper to see if it matches the rim and you can enjoy the rolling, comfort and grip benefits of a 25c tyre over a 23.Įvery wheel was tested using the supplied brake pads and, of course, we weighed them all, too. We spent a day at the University of Southampton’s wind tunnel gathering precise aero data at two yaw angles to simulate calmer and windier conditions.īefore that, we tested each wheelset on the road, racking up more than 2,000 miles, often in competition and in all weather, in a process that spanned six months. How we testedĪ lot went into this process. The top brands have been working hard on stability and braking, with new rim shapes and brake tracks, so we were keen to see what progress they’ve made in our search to discover which are the best deep aero wheels. While speed is the priority here, braking performance and especially stability are key to ensuring that you can use your best wheels confidently regardless of the conditions. For that reason, we have also included two mixed depth wheelsets with deeper rears and two mid-depth circa 65mm pairs to serve as more rounded options and to see if deeper is always faster.Īs with any wheel test, we’re looking for speed, stability in crosswinds, effective all-weather braking and high lateral stiffness for handling and response. Ideally, if you were racing on mixed terrain, you’d have a set of lighter mid-depth wheels for hillier events. While they’re much faster than standard wheels, they are slightly heavier than shallower carbon wheels and even the best of them get pushed around a bit on windy days. Super-deep wheels, such as the 70mm-plus hoops here, are specialist tools for racing on flat and rolling courses.
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