I can't make out the fork ends too well, but I can't see how that would work. I'm no aerodynamicist, but I am a (sadly noncurrent) pilot, so I have had an interest in the subject. I've always conceptualized the primary function of winglets as reducing induced drag by smoothing the interaction of the high and low pressure regions at the end of the airfoil, a bit like an aerodynamic fence. Even if you treat the fork blades as airfoils that both have an angle of attack that is producing lift (i.e., differential pressure) they'd need lateral protrusions. That seems like something that would give the UCI fits. They could just be fairings or extensions meant to smooth airflow around the wheelnut / axle area. I guess you can always make an argument for incremental gains....

Carleton,
I love your iPhone apps, but why doesn't your gear calculator show the number of skid patches?


:p

:-|

hahaha he's making Carleton uncomfortable

The bold is correct. The current design of winglets is what works optimally for planes at the speeds they travel. You can achieve a similar (albeit much smaller and not as effective) effect by sweeping the wingtips back, as well as increasing the wetted area of the wingtips. This only works at lower airpeeds, so may have bicycle applications where it works. It essentially tries to disrupt vortex formation, (by allowing the low and high pressure streams to meet along the trailing edge before spilling over the wingtip) instead of channeling and reducing the size of vortices as with the perpendicular design.

My guess is infinitely marginal performance gains, yet measurable marketing gains $$$$$.

I'm still not following you, Taras. Vortex formation in the context of winglets is relevant because of its effect on induced drag - the backward component of lift (compared to the direction of travel) when an airfoil is creating lift. Form drag and interference drag effects are for the most part more relevant to bicycles (because most parts aren't claimed to create lift). So the whole idea of functioning winglets for bicycles, however you describe them, doesn't make sense to me. Nevertheless, we clearly agree on the upshot, i.e., the bold is very likely correct ;)

Here's an interesting find around the web:
Feb 25-26, there will be a Track World Cup in Los Angeles.

See y'all there!

Ha! Really? Nice! It's been a long time since the last one.

The other 20016/2017 world cup venues are listed here:
The UCI reveals 2016-2017 UCI Track Cycling World Cup calendar

Awesome!!!
I will be in LA for next five years.
I should take my chainrings and get it signed by my favorite cyclists lol

So I went to Velo sports center today for the first time, because of school meeting

When I visited the velodrome, Australian team was training with their fancy Jayco skinsuits lol
While I was their I heard "Go Anna!!"
Which means Rio Australian sprinter team is training in Velo sports center training.
Apparently Shane Perkins is not on the list for Rio, so I did not had chance to meet him.....
Anyway I was too shy to talk to Australian team and I didn't want to bother them

The tire is mounted incorrectly :innocent:

Tires mounted on directional track wheels should have the label facing on the left side (on the side that you don't ride on). When it's on the right side, riding on the label could cause a slip at slow speeds.

https://www.momnium.com/wp/wp-conten...6/DSC_4152.jpg

bruuuh you pick up everything

He does. Most of the time. But only sprinters would care about something like this as well. I just used to sand the labels off of my tires if they were on the tread.

based on the photo just before it, looks like it's the whole wheel that's installed backwards.

https://www.momnium.com/wp/wp-conten...6/DSC_4154.jpg

I noticed that arrow, too. But, I think the arrow sticker is installed on the wrong side. The blades should "lay down" as they spin.

https://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m...zx00o1_500.jpg

So, the wheel is mounted correctly:

https://www.momnium.com/wp/wp-conten...DSC_4136-1.jpg

yeah, looks like you're right. see? this is what cost Chris Hoy that kilo record.

Yup!

He missed the kilo WR here:



Notice the wheel is on backwards.

Actually, Hoy and his staff didn't notice. He read about in on Fixed Gear Fever later. He mentions this in the book "Heroes, Villains, and Velodromes".

Same thing on Azizul's bike . . .

https://www.momnium.com/wp/wp-conten...6/DSC_4029.jpg

My Challenge Pista Seta Extra tubes are idiot-proof. They have a label on each side. :eek:

The August 2016 issue of Money magazine features a seven-page article on Bobby Lea (I checked on line but there is only a brief summary at Olympic Cyclist Not Doing It for the Money). The article discusses Lea's financial situation, the high cost of world level track cycling, and the magazine suggests a post cycling job path for Lea.

Wow.

The sport is hard enough mentally and physically.

You ever wonder why great track cyclists don't stay around long? This is one huge reason why.

Why bother? Seriously.

Bauge said something similar when Kenny spanked him in London :D

Team GB is on some next-level training program for sure.

I guess the major questions are:

- Did Team GB sandbag (hold back) for 4 years?, or
- Did they truly become faster since the last round of World Cups and World Championship?