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The Win Tunnel: Where to carry your spare tube

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The Win Tunnel spares

Specialized is at it again. Between use of their new-ish wind tunnel for bike development, the aero team continues the aerodynamic equivalent of “will it blend?” with the Win Tunnel. Putting the tunnel to use for educational purposes, Specialized is looking at your spare tube (not your spare tire, for those who aren’t in race shape). Is it faster in your jersey? On your saddle? In a bottle? The results may come as a surprise…

As it turns out, unless you’re using something like a Specialized Keg, it really makes little difference where you put your tube – even if you use a small saddle bag.

While we’re at it, check out the last Win Tunnel where they investigate the benefits of a skin suit. This one makes a bigger difference…

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25 Comments
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anonymous
anonymous
8 years ago

Tosses empty waterbottle

TWO SECONDS

Allan
Allan
8 years ago
Reply to  anonymous

gets naked

TWO MINUTES!

ascarlarkinyar
8 years ago
Reply to  anonymous

Lol…that was my thought, but the substantial rise in sunblock use would bankrupt me.

chafage
chafage
8 years ago

Its actually pretty surprising. I would have thought that seat tube would have been quite a bit faster than jersey pocket or under the saddle (rather than the opposite). The seat tube location is protected by the other bottle, and I have seen that adding a seat tube bottle can sometimes improve aerodynamics.

Im sure the jersey pocket location is highly dependent on position too (in a more aggressive position, that is going to disrupt airflow more than in a more upright position).

Jess
Jess
8 years ago

Just remember, Sagan didn’t become world champ riding his #aeroiseverything Venge. Ditch the goofy helmet and ride more. #fastisfast

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago
Reply to  Jess

Sagan is nearly always wearing his “goofy helmet”. The Venge sucks for its breaking

Eric Schiller
Eric Schiller
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

and it’s braking.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schiller

Ha, that too

Comrad
Comrad
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schiller

and its breaking

Cheese
Cheese
8 years ago
Reply to  Comrad

and its braking.

Mick
Mick
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

Didn’t realize there was an issue with the frames failing…although I suspect you were referring to it’s braking performance

EM2
EM2
8 years ago

Is cellulite more Aero ?

invertedprolapse
invertedprolapse
8 years ago

#camisdreamy

Chefdog
Chefdog
8 years ago

or tube rather. Derp!

Chefdog
Chefdog
8 years ago

Great, now how do I get my spare tire into my skinsuit?

Allan
Allan
8 years ago
Reply to  Chefdog

I know the purpose of a skinsuit is to be as aero as possible, but most regular people don’t have individual support following them on every ride. I don’t know why most skinsuits don’t have at least 1 back pocket (though I know some do).

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago
Reply to  Allan

Time trial skins don’t. It’s easy to get cross skins with pockets though

Allan
Allan
8 years ago

96″ for a skinsuit over 40km? At what speed? We talking 50kph like the pros or average joe speed?

Bartthebikeman
8 years ago
Reply to  Allan

It’s obvious that marketers test aero kit/gear in perfect scenarios that have nothing to do with a typical guy averaging 16-20mph.
As a result they can produce cool numbers that may be real but completely IRRELEVANT.

Dylan
Dylan
8 years ago
Reply to  Allan

96″ over 40km means almost enough time for another coffee stop on an 80km ride;-P

dustytires
8 years ago

Great point Allan, All this aero talk is BS, fun talk for sure, but really not applicable to most of the cyclist on the road on any given day due to the amount of body fat and lack of fitness as well as poor bike fit and posture. As Bart points out, my 16-20mph is a long way from what the pros do. If I’m not mistaken the aliens posing as Pro men CLIMB at those speeds

Jake
Jake
8 years ago

I keep my pump and spare tube inside my seat post, why would someone keep their spare tire on the outside of their car instead of in the trunck.

Greg
Greg
8 years ago

@Allan,
Although the speed improvement is less at lower speeds, it’s been proven many times that, because a slower rider spends more time on the course, the time savings at lower speeds is actually greater.

Bartthebikeman
8 years ago
Reply to  Greg

Using the Specialized way of presenting data we could well prove that a granny doing a 40km shopping trip in over 4 hours could would gain even more 😉

ascarlarkinyar
8 years ago

I gained 1 minute on a time trial by riding with my eyes closed. Never knew that my eyelids where soo aero!!

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