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EB18: Aeropod drag detector tells how aerodynamic you are in real time

aeropod drag detector tells you how aerodynamic you are in real time
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With so much focus on the bike’s aerodynamics lately, it’s easy to overlook the biggest factor when trying to get faster: You. And as their PR guy told us, you can buy aerodynamic, or you can be aerodynamic.

The new Velocomp Aeropod will tell you, in real time, just how aerodynamic you are, so you can tweak your position and see the improvement instantly. The device uses air speed and other internal sensors and combines that with the output from your power meter to see how your speed compares to your power output. From there, they can figure your your CdA (coefficient of drag) and display it on a compatible cycling computer.

On its own, it can determine your power output by checking speed against air pressure, elevation, and data from its accelerometer and a speed sensor. To do this, they’re relying on the tech used for their $199 PowerPod device, which they say is accurate to +/-2% and is the easiest to use power meter on the market. Just bolt it to your handlebar, take 5 minutes to set it up, and you’re off to the races with dual-leg power measurement and pedal stroke analysis.

To get the aerodynamic drag data, you’ll need to add an applied force power meter…meaning, most any hub, pedal and dual-leg or spider based crank arm power meter. Single-sided crank power meters won’t work for this.

aeropod tells you how to improve your riding position to improve aerodynamics in real time

The Aeropod uses a longer pitot so that it can collect air in front of any cycling computer or other accessory you have. It comes with a mount, but can also be attached to GoPro-style lower mounts now found on many out-front computer mounts. Shown below, the pitot is removable so it won’t break off if you throw it in your gear bag.

aeropod drag detector for road triathlon and gravel bikes tells you how aerodynamic you are

The device does more than tell you how aero your position is. It’s a cheap, easy way to test how aero your equipment is, too. Swap in different helmets, front wheels, aero bars, etc., and compare data to get the fastest setup without booking wind tunnel time. That capability combined with its compact size was enough to win it a Eurobike 2018 design award.

Compared to the Notio Konect developed with Argon 18, the Aeropod has a few less features, but provides all the critical data you need to improve your position on the bike. And at $499, it costs less than half of that device and is smaller. At present, it can display data on Garmin, Lezyne, and EverySight Raptor devices via ANT+, or Velocomp Android and iOS apps via BLE. Wahoo compatibility should be coming as soon as the corresponding ANT+ channel is finalized.

Aeropod begins shipping in August 2018.

Velocomp.com

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Jason
Jason
6 years ago

Wait, it’s not April 1st…

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Jason

Not only is it not a joke, there are quite a few companies making similar devices: Notio, SwissSide, AlphaMantis (who was bought by Garmin).

Lucy
Lucy
6 years ago
Reply to  Robin

they r all in the joke together

Dude
Dude
6 years ago

If it’s accurate, it’s a better buy than a new pair of wheels.

An engineer
An engineer
6 years ago

How does this accounting for variations in road surface? For example, imagine traveling on a straight, flat stretch of smooth concrete with constant speed, wind conditions, and riding position. You’re power meter reading should be fairly steady and a result of all those conditions. You’re CdA should also be steady. Now imagine transitioning to a rougher road surface with all other conditions remaining the same. You power would have to increase to maintain the same speed. However, the pitot tube knows nothing of the road surface conditions. Therefore, a high CdA is calculated when, in fact, it should be the same. To put it another way, is this unit inferring rolling resistance forces such that they can be subtracted from the total resistive force?

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  An engineer

Perhaps the best fit algorithm they use to determine linear and squared term’s coefficients is such that the squared term coefficient (CdA) is insensitive to changes in the linear term’s coefficient.

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