Project 1t4i rider Patrick Gretsch records a “run” during a test session at the San Diego Low Speed Wind TunnelJames Huang/Future Publishing
According to Jim Felt, “the head is huge” in terms of aerodynamic performance. Gretsch’s position here isn’t sustainable for long distances but it should work well when the road is straight and there’s a painted line to follow. Note how the head is almost perfectly inline with the upper body in terms of airflowJames Huang/Future Publishing
The team also experimented with this rather unusual carbon fiber Uvex helmet. At least in this case, it didn’t work well in the wind tunnelJames Huang/Future Publishing
Jim Felt lends Project 1t4i rider Patrick Gretsch some advice on how to position his headJames Huang/Future Publishing
Low-tech mixed with high-tech: Jim Felt traces Patrick Gretsch’s outline with dry erase marker on a monitor inside the labJames Huang/Future Publishing
The outlines help the crew keep track of the various rider positions – along with what worked and what didn’tJames Huang/Future Publishing
Bikes are mounted on these strutsJames Huang/Future Publishing
Yes, even the struts used to mount the bikes have an aerodynamic shapeJames Huang/Future Publishing
The testing platform rotates so tests can be run at various yaw anglesJames Huang/Future Publishing
Felt and Project 1t4i came to the wind tunnel well equipped with lots of bits for aerobar adjustments. The silver aluminum piece at left is a custom bridge joining the base of the extensions together for additional stiffnessJames Huang/Future Publishing
Felt and Project 1t4i made liberal use of this metal foil tape during testing to smooth over gaps and cover up various holesJames Huang/Future Publishing
A big piece of foil tape seals up the valve hole on this PRO rear discJames Huang/Future Publishing
Felt and Project 1t4i tested a wide range of wheel combinations in the wind tunnel to determine what was best in various conditionsJames Huang/Future Publishing
Riders in the tunnel have no one to talk to and nothing to do aside from mindlessly pedal. Information projected on to the floor helps keep riders on taskJames Huang/Future Publishing
This rear roller generates a constant level of resistance while the riders are doing test runsJames Huang/Future Publishing
Each rider position is visually recorded for later referenceJames Huang/Future Publishing
It seems strange to draw directly on a video screen but it’s a technique that’s widely accepted – and apparently very useful – at the San Diego Low Speed Wind TunnelJames Huang/Future Publishing
LSWT is fitted with a PA system to communicate with riders inside the testing compartment but many staff apparently find it quicker and easier to just hold various signs up to the glassJames Huang/Future Publishing
San Diego Low Speed Wind Tunnel, Felt and Project 1t4i staff watch a test run in progressJames Huang/Future Publishing
Test engineers can set the pedaling resistance to a wide range of values but 250 watts apparently works well hereJames Huang/Future Publishing
Critical control panel buttons are protected against accidental contact by wooden – yes wooden – coversJames Huang/Future Publishing
The San Diego Low Speed Wind Tunnel is producing some of the most cutting-edge information in terms of aerodynamics and cycling but it’s an interesting anachronism of new and oldJames Huang/Future Publishing
The business side of the tunnel is dominated by a massive wooden prop and its associated coneJames Huang/Future Publishing
Needless to say, this area is off-limits when tests are being conductedJames Huang/Future Publishing