Olympics

[gasinayr]

Did anyone notice the USA women's bikes on the track events last night. FELT BIKES The drive train is on the left hand side and not the right as normal bikes. What is that all about. Most have special cranks with threads going opposite ways to stop the pedals loosening and coming off.

 

[Steady]

It was picked up on by the Beeb. I think Hoy said it was something the USA track team were trying in an attempt to improve aerodynamics based on the weight of the crank and the left turning track, he didn't seem all that convinced about it.

I just thought it was Americans being Americans.

They moved the drivetrain to the left side to address airflow coming at riders from that side of the bike. The chain ring on the drive side makes the crank more aerodynamic than the non-drive crank arm. Felt also made the bike asymmetrical to better avoid drag. Felt’s designers also claim that moving the drive train to the left also helps with handling, since it moves the weight toward the inside of the turn.

The design is not the only revolutionary thing about this bike – it was designed exclusively for female racers.

That's from http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/left-side-drivetrain-could-give-team-usa-edge-track

 

[Roadrider48]

They were all left footed cyclists.

 

[Globalti]

I've heard of marginal gains but this sounds like "fractional marginal gains"!

How much slower does the air flow on the left of the bike than the right? They'll be fitting L shaped cranks next or using oval rings.... oh.... hang on.....

 

[Tanis8472]

It was picked up on by the Beeb. I think Hoy said it was something the USA track team were trying in an attempt to improve aerodynamics based on the weight of the crank and the left turning track, he didn't seem all that convinced about it.

I just thought it was Americans being Americans.



That's from http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/left-side-drivetrain-could-give-team-usa-edge-track

Erm, that was Boardman
He also said, they tried that about 10 years ago and wasn't worth it

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Erm, that was Boardman

Erm, maybe more than one person was able to explain it...

Hoy made comment, Boardman made comment. Even I made comment when my wife asked.

 

[Nibor]

I've heard of marginal gains but this sounds like "fractional marginal gains"!

How much slower does the air flow on the left of the bike than the right? They'll be fitting L shaped cranks next or using oval rings.... oh.... hang on.....

It is pure headology trying to psych out the opposition.

 

[Tanis8472]

He was not commentating on that segment. Boardman and brotherton were, which is what was mentioned in the post I replied too.

Not your or the cats comments

 

[Steady]

Erm, that was Boardman
He also said, they tried that about 10 years ago and wasn't worth it

I am known to confuse my Boardman's with my Hoy's but.. I think Hoy is presenting the track cycling (among other things) with the BBC at the moment and he picked up on it the moment the USA women came out.

Nevermind, I thought I was going a bit mad but Boardman is a commentator I didn't realise that

 

[jowwy]

I am known to confuse my Boardman's with my Hoy's but.. I think Hoy is presenting the track cycling (among other things) with the BBC at the moment and he picked up on it the moment the USA women came out.

Nevermind, I thought I was going a bit mad but Boardman is a commentator I didn't realise that

You are correct, it was sir chris hoy who commented on the bbc last night about the left handside felt crank set-up and the angles of air flow from that side.

Chris boardman may have commented previously, but not last night

 

[Drago]

I'd not pay too much heed to anything Boardman has to say about bike design considering some of the two wheeled tat (and some decent stuff too, before any owners complain) he's allowed his name to be attached to.

 

[jowwy]

I'd not pay too much heed to anything Boardman has to say about bike design considering some of the two wheeled tat (and some decent stuff too, before any owners complain) he's allowed his name to be attached to.

And how many good or badly designed bikes do you have to your name???

 

[rugby bloke]

Was going to start my own thread but I fear the site will become awash with Olympic themed threads so I'll hijack this one.

My observations:
1. Sir Chris makes an excellent pundit - well informed and articulate. I thought it was interesting when he was talking about the mind games that riders played before finals. He mentioned that some riders would try to catch your eye and stare you out - I had always thought that he would have been the alpha alpha competitor on the track, cannot imagine anyone trying to stare him out. I also liked it when he said he used to blow at the riders behind him to try to disrupt their air ... marginal marginal gains indeed !
2. It looks like the other nations have caught up with the Team GB in relation to technology and marginal gains. The win last night was down to sheer will power and determination and was more the impressive for it.
3. What sort of gear do the track bikes pull ? Also will all riders in a team be puling the same gear ?

 

[Drago]

And how many good or badly designed bikes do you have to your name???

None, but I'm not making derogatory comments to the media about other peoples designs or nationality, so it bears no comparison.

 

[Poacher]

Don't know what gears are used, but the comment was made last night that the anchor man in the team sprint was on a larger gear, which makes perfect sense to me.