F1 Aerodynamics State of the art cycling products
Aerodynamic drag is the single most important performance parameter in cycling.
Swiss Side is revolutionising aerodynamics in cycling with an unprecedented, unique 4-arm, interlinked aerodynamic development process. This delivers true "real world performance" out on the road where it matters.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
More advanced than any other in the cycling industry.
With know-how and the latest methods taken directly from the closed circle of Formula 1, Swiss Side takes CFD simulation to new levels in the cycling industry.
In particular, a combination of steady state and transient (real time) flow simulation methods provide a depth of understanding not possible with other methods.
In house developed data processing tools supply data, which when combined with the additional data Simulation, provide an unequalled level of understanding and aerodynamic development capability.
In addition, backed up with extensive wind tunnel correlation testing, Swiss Side’s CFD methods are second to none in terms of closeness to reality.
As well as being a tool for equipment design and athlete optimization, Swiss Side's CFD tools allow for analysis of on-road conditions.
Wind Tunnel
50 years experience in F1 Aerodynamic Development
Swiss Side’s wind tunnel testing methods are again, more advanced than any other in the cycling industry.
Unique measurement systems have been developed such as steering torque for front wheel characterisation, as well as laser positioning systems for complete rider testing.
In house developed data processing tools supply data, which when combined with the additional data Simulation, provide an unequalled level of understanding and aerodynamic development capability.
Breakthrough technology for aero development in the wind tunnel with Swiss Side's pressure measurement rake
Built from scratch by Swiss Side engineers, this state-of-the-art, never-seen-before technology is designed to not only measure aerodynamic drag, but to visualize it too, measuring energy lost in the airflow behind an object.
It does this using an array of 128 kiel probes for measuring the pressure, which are illuminated by 288 individually controlled LEDs, which change colour depending on the measured air pressure. Simply put, the rake moves across the airflow field capturing a live colour picture of the aerodynamic drag and its intensity.
This technology adds to our already extensive range of aero tools and literally doubles our measurement capability in the wind tunnel.
The ‘Swiss Side Aerodynamics’ activities now reach well beyond cycling, with activities in all kinds of aerodynamic development projects across a wide range of industries from sports to automotive. The pressure measurement rake provides a hugely valuable development tool for any application. It also provides extremely useful data for correlation back to the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation models, which further improves and refines the development process.
Performance Simulation
Quantifying ‘Real World Performance’ to direct development where it matters.
Time on the stopwatch, is the only thing that matters. To quantify aerodynamics and other performance parameters such as weight in an understandable way, Swiss Side uses advanced in-house developed simulation tools for calculating the time deltas of any configuration, on any course.
The data trends from CFD, Wind Tunnel, Instrumented Bike, or any scenario of choice can be input into Swiss Side’s Performance Simulation toolbox. The time gain or loss over a particular course can be estimated, taking into account course profile, bike and rider weights, power output, rolling resistance, wind, aerodynamic drag, etc. In this way, product performance can be better understood and quantified at any point, in the concept phase, during the development process, or once products are on the road.
Instrumented Bike & Swiss Side CDA Meter
Most advanced on-bike measurement system ever
Swiss Side develops on-road measurement systems to measure aerodynamic performance out on the road where it matters. This measured data is then used not only to ensure that CFD and wind tunnel improvements can be measured in the real world, but also to gain BETTER UNDERSTANDING = BETTER PRODUCTS = BETTER PERFORMANCE The Swiss Side Instrumented Bike was unveiled to the public in 2015. This unique system, developed entirely by Swiss Side's engineering team, is the most advanced on-bike aerodynamic measurement system ever seen in the cycling industry.
It features an array of sensors on a time trial bike for measuring and characterising the aerodynamics of the complete bike and rider system. The data collected from the Instrumented Bike sensor system offers a level of understanding about real world cycling aerodynamics, which previously did not exist. It importantly also measures the rider’s reaction to external inputs such as wind and like this, better products can be designed to suit the rider’s needs. It was through the Instrumented Bike that Swiss Side learnt the importance of front wheel stability, which lead to the implementation of the world’s first steering torque balance in the GST wind tunnel and subsequently the development of the HADRON aero wheels which are acclaimed for their stability and predictability any wind conditions.
It features an array of sensors on a time trial bike for measuring and characterising the aerodynamics of the complete bike and rider system. The data collected from the Instrumented Bike sensor system offers a level of understanding about real world cycling aerodynamics, which previously did not exist.
It importantly also measures the rider’s reaction to external inputs such as wind and like this, better products can be designed to suit the rider’s needs.
It was through the Instrumented Bike that Swiss Side learnt the importance of front wheel stability, which lead to the implementation of the world’s first steering torque balance in the GST wind tunnel and subsequently the development of the HADRON aero wheels which are acclaimed for their stability and predictability any wind conditions.
The new generation of on-board aero device is the Swiss Side CdA meter - the wind tunnel for the road. It combines the understanding learnt from years of research with the instrumented bike, into a compact system which can be fitted to any bike.
It enables any rider to easily measure and understand their aerodynamic drag, thereby giving them the ability to improve their equipment and position setup, to increase speed and save time out on the road!
Team Sky (now Team INEOS) making aerodynamic drag measurements on the road with the Swiss Side CdA Meter.
Patrick Lange testing with the Swiss Side Pressure Measurement Rake System on the Salzburgring race track.
Photo Credit: Tino Pohlmann
In this video, see behind the scenes of the wind tunnel testing and on-road testing with Patrick Lange, using the Swiss Side Pressure Measurement Rake System.
Video Credit: Björn Hunger
The Swiss Side Pressure Measurement Rake System in the wind tunnel with Team INEOS.
In this video see the details of how Swiss Side and Team INEOS implement the wind tunnel and pressure rake measurements into optimising rider setup and gathering data for the 'Virtual Pitwall’ performance simulation tool.
