Welcome to the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub (SSEH) Cycling Wind Tunnel. Our Cycling Wind Tunnel, built by Sports Aero Solutions Ltd, hosts unique features that enhance the user experience creating a realistic cycling drag testing environment.
Would you like to know more about are tunnel and its features? If you’d like to arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements do not hesitate to contact us on 01327 222830 and we’d be happy to answer your questions.
Features of the Cycling Wind Tunnel:
Athlete Preparation Room – A rider has access to changing facilities, refreshments and a view of the test section where cycling drag measurements are made.
Control Room – A technician can quickly adjust the testing conditions from the control room using the Cycling Wind Tunnel computer. Further to this, the room contains a large range of tools and allows the technician to communicate easily with the rider.
The Visual Interface:
Projector – A projector displays important rider and aerodynamic data including cycling drag in front of the rider. For example, rider edges are displayed (outlines of the rider position that are superimposed over the live camera feed) to give live position feedback relative to their original edge overlay. By comparing this with a live position, this helps the rider stay in an aerodynamic position between runs.
Cameras – The cameras capture images of a rider during testing as well as creating an outline of position. A projector displays these to the rider during testing in the Cycling Wind Tunnel.
The Test Section:
Test Section – Testing the rider occurs in the test section. During testing, a large fan draws air through the test section simulating real riding conditions, so that cycling drag can be measured.
Stanchions – The stanchions mount a bike to the resistance rollers. The rider is able to pedal creating a realistic testing environment.
Ergo – The Ergo measures forces to calculate cycling drag force using a balance system.
Turntable – This is the rotating element of the test section which allows for the simulation of crosswinds. Therefore, it is possible to measure cycling drag under a variety of aerodynamic conditions.
Above all, Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub’s Cycling Wind Tunnel hosts unique features that make it a bespoke cycling aerodynamic testing facility.
The Unique Features:
The Aero Cycling Simulator – A bespoke software feature enabling a real-life closed loop simulator experience. As the rider increases their wheel speed the fan speed increases. Consequently, adopting a more aerodynamically favourable position causes a reduction in roller resistance thus reducing the power required to maintain a desired speed. Most importantly, this feature is unique to SSEH.
Power Absorption Resistance Rollers – The resistance rollers absorb power from the rider. Therefore, the rider feels different levels of cycling resistance controlled by the engineer, or this can be set to automatically adjust, to create realistic riding conditions in the Cycling Wind Tunnel.
To find out more about the tunnel at Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub, please visit: http://silverstonesportshub.co.uk/sportswindtunnel/