disc wheels

[Slowbee]

ok so I am new to cycling. Long ago I saw guys using those solid disc wheels in the T de F.

I see track bikes use them alot.

 

How do these wheels give you an advantage ? Is this the same principle as with bikes that have fewer spokes ?

 

 

[fiasm]

the disc is more aerodynamic than a spoked wheel. They are also heavier.

[Slowbee]

fiasm how does that wheel being aerodynamic give you an advantage? If a cross wind blows you are stuffed ?

[Mudsimus]

They are also heavier.

 

Not always the case. At 950g the zipp disc is leighter than most rear wheels.

[Mudsimus]

? If a cross wind blows you are stuffed ?

 

A disc is at its most aerodynamic in a cross wind.

[Slowbee]

Mudd Dee so how do these solid wheels give you an advantage?

[fiasm]

fiasm how does that wheel being aerodynamic give you an advantage? If a cross wind blows you are stuffed ?

 

there is no cross wind on an indoor velodrome  don't ask me how they work, I'm not the physics expert in my family. I'm just telling you the apparent reason for their use.

fiasm2008-04-02 04:29:49

[Mudsimus]

Mudd Dee so how do these solid wheels give you an advantage?

 

They are more aerodynamic than normal wheels thus they make you faster/help you to maintain a higher average speed. Its not rocket science, no matter what Johan says.

[Slowbee]

surely wind blowing through spokes is better than through a solid wheel ?

 

How does thids work then with bikes that have three large spokes ?

 

 

[Mudsimus]

surely wind blowing through spokes is better than through a solid wheel ?

 

 

 

 

Wind cant blow through a solid wheel.  

Mud Dee2008-04-02 04:37:07

[Mudsimus]

http://www.cbss.ca/tip11.htm

[Slowbee]

Mud Dee

 

just what i was looking for ..its about axial and yaw forced thanks 

Slowbee2008-04-02 04:41:29

[Veloce]

Spokes create turbulance, fewer spokes creat less turbulance and no spokes create almost no turbulance. Any form of turbulance leads to a less aerodynamic profile.

[Slowbee]

Veloce - based on the website from Mud, there is very much a compromise beteen being aerodynamic and stability on the bike. Having a disc sounds good in cross winds due to potential lifting forces which are given at compromising handling.

 

A solid wheel go faster not becuase of the aerodynamics but because of better axial forces on the wheels.

[Mudsimus]

Its nonsense that deep section wheels or discs affect your handling. I ride deep sections for years and never had any problems in crosswinds.

[Slowbee]

well i have never ridden anything other than my 1994 Le turbo  and my 2003 giant ocr 3. So i am just going by what is written. you guys with the experience know more than me. Just trying to understand how they work ....