Pro Cycling wheels

welshy

I'm watching the USA Pro Cycling and stage 5 is the Time Trial. Can I ask about the wheels some teams use.

1. What is the purpose of the solid back wheel?
2. If it is faster then why not use it on the front also?
3. If it is faster then why not use it for all stages?
4. Why don't all teams use it?

John

not really qualified to answer in the slightest but i always thought that
1- aerodyamics - reducing drag = go quicker
2-legs and peddles between the front and back, less advantageous . with a front disc maybe twice as unstable in x winds ?
never though about the other 2, sorry

welshy

Thanks for replying. I'm surprised nobody else can answer here, anyone?

welshy

just spoke to a colleague at work and he explained that having a solid wheel on the front would make it very difficult to turn, also the cross wind would be a factor. So I think that answers my questions.

davidegee

Traditionally the solid wheels have been lighter, but I think spoked technology is catching / has caught up.

I guess they're less maneuverable and robust, in addition to being vulnerable to cross winds so less suited to full road stages than they are time trials.  

The above is based on me watching cycling, rather than doing it!!

scatterbug

For normal road stages tri-spokes / disc wheels etc. are not allowed. The UCI has a host of technical regulations.

Bubblin

Old thread I know, you base the wheel choice mainly due to the prevailing wind, whether its side on, from the front or behind and the depth of the rim from a standard bike wheel to a full dish.

But basically it works like a sail of a boat, and the wheel can generate a proportion of lift in the direction of travel, this can give the rider an energy saving based on the choices. The front wheel won't have a full disc as this lift can actually cause the wheel to turn under the conditions and cause instability.

welshy

Thanks for the explanation

Kinetic Frenzy

Also to be clear you would have been watching a time trial where a different type of bike is permitted known as a Time Trial bike, allowing for greater aero dynamic equipment on the bike, a more aero dynamic frameset and finally a more aero dynamic position for the rider.

In a stage race or one day race (usually a 'classic' if televised) you do get what they call aero bikes in and amongst the general road bikes being used but they are to look at a very much standard road bike ("drop handler" ) however a fairly educated eye will pick out its deep set rims (both front and back), a head tube narrower than standard at the top but wider at the bottom, fatter front forks, different shaped down tube, different shaped seat post, etc.