122 Study of Aerodynamic specification on trains of disk wheel bicycles

Abstract

In a long-distance bicycle road game, in order to make the main rider win, an entire team makes a formation and assigns the main rider in an advantageous position for less drag. This study verified the effects from the formation consisted of multiple riders, usually called "train," with replicas aerodynamically. Four replicas were used as a train in drag force measurement and flow visualization. Bicycle replicas were fixed onto a ground plate, and the spacing of each replica was kept constant. Drag force of each replica was measured with three component load cell. Flow visualization in a smoke wind tunnel was also carried out in a horizontal plane at the riders' height. Several train formations expected to reduce drag including crosswinds were attempted. As a result, the least drag on the replica of the main rider was obtained when it was placed at the end of the train in a linear arrangement. The results of the flow visualization also explain these phenomena well.