Aerodynamic Science and Paralympic Cycling

Scientists at the National University of Ireland Galway and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and KU Leuven have  been exploring the role of aerodynamic science in Paralympic cycling.  Two key findings were: 

1) The typical time-trial setup with a time-trial handlebar for the pilot and the stoker does not provide the lowest aerodynamic resistance. The stoker holding the seatpost of the tandem bicycle (frame-clench setup) provides a gain of 8.1 s over a 10 km race.

2) The most aerodynamic race setup of the tandem cyclists is not the one where pilot and stoker bodies are closest to the horizontal. The pilot being slightly more upright gives a benefit of 6.5 s over 10 km.

Read the full article here.