Red Bikes: Dolan Disc³

Nature yo!

Also, one of the best threads on here.

Does this offer any significant advantage?

Luckily this question wasn't asked too often during this project.

Short answer: maybe... :)

Im still in the aero cargo-cultist category as I dont have a wind tunnel or power meter to prove anything.

But... there is research and practical examples that show that airfoils at that speed/size get a softer stall angle and lower drag after the stall angle. ei no benefit at 0 degree head wind but at 10-20 degree (sidewind) it helps. Softer stall should mean easier handling.

I mostly based this on this research paper as the speeds tested are near bike speeds: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258246587_Performance_Variations_of_Leading-Edge_Tubercles_for_Distinct_Airfoil_Profiles

I still need to make a version with smooth transitions blending into the wheel.

A headtube with a big airfoil (15-20cm or more) is a another place where tubercles would work (coming later!). And a seattube leading on to a disc wheel.

So basically bumps everywhere...