Carbon bike Wheel set test
Our testing method involves not only the carbon bike wheel set as one of the many components of a bicycle, such as a new handle with better aerodynamics or (even) faster ceramic bearings. The impact of carbon wheelsets on the feel and handling of bicycles is greater than any other component. That's why we not only test them in wind tunnels. We ride these bike wheelsets day after day, conducting back-to-back tests, installing tubeless tires until our handbar, and replacing countless flywheels. Our speed in replacing parts is almost comparable to that of a Formula One team at a pit stop.
In actual testing to determine the difference in handling and riding experience, we conducted tests under various conditions. We climbed the steepest slope we could find, meandered along the undulating hills, bravely faced the stormy lowland route, rode carefully on the bumpy asphalt road, raced along the newly paved road, and sprinted along the fastest and most beautiful downhill section. We also conducted back-to-back tests on all wheel sets in a short period of time under the same tires, the same track, and comparable weather conditions. All wheelsets are equipped with a pair of 28mm tubeless tires. We select tire pressure based on the rider's weight and measured tire width to mitigate the influence of unknown variables. We focus on the following criteria in the wheelset testing: the compliance of the wheelset largely indicates its optimal usage scenario. Omnibus and endurance oriented wheelsets often provide more flexibility and comfort than purebred racing wheelsets. Stiffness is not necessarily directly related to compliance. The most important thing is that the wheel set with high stiffness is responsive and flexible, with quick and precise steering, and can convert pedaling input into propulsion with minimal loss. The stiffness depends on the entire system, which means that the hub, spokes, and wheels must work together and be designed accordingly. Handling is a combination of compliance and rigidity, but it also highly depends on individual preferences. The harder the wheelset, the more precise the handling, but also the more ruthless. Generally speaking, tolerant manipulation can give beginners more confidence. Although aerodynamics may not be as accurate and objective as wind tunnel testing data, it can still be observed and evaluated under actual conditions, especially in terms of sail effects. The deeper the wheel rim, the more susceptible it is to crosswind, right? At least this is based on experience, but some wheelsets rely on special features to offset this. If the wheelset is difficult to control, riding becomes completely uninteresting. How fast is the high-speed wheelset accelerating and how easy is it to maintain speed? The all rounder with climbing ability should also perform well when climbing, so we have extensively tested them on high mountain roads. The most crucial thing is that the weight and acceleration of the wheelset play a role here.
Test wheel sets in modern wind tunnels. We tested all wheelsets at a wind speed of 45 kilometers per hour, while the wheelsets were installed on the bicycle and rotated. We use modern road bikes as a benchmark. The wheelset is paired with 28mm tires and inner tubes for easy replacement. We inflated the tires to 5 bar. In total, we identified 21 measurement points within the yaw angle range of -20 ° to+20 °.