Aerodynamics / Aerodynamic Cost / Aero parts

Don't see why they'd spend 5 years in court to secure a patent that was expiring/expired. But hey, lawyers n shit = magnets.

They might spend five years trying to get a 'new' patent which effectively just refreshes or reinstates the old one. I'll have to study them in more detail, but I can't see any real advances from the earlier patent.

Maybe it just means they can start to pursue lic. fees from people using the tech.

It was granted well over a year ago, so perhaps the real news is Specialized taking the licence. Wonder if HED have been pursuing other manufacturers behind the scenes also?

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/HED_s_Toroidal_2.0_Patent_5646.html

"This new patent (images from the patent are above and below), filed for in 2009 and finally granted after a long process, might be called Toroidal 2.0. What's intriguing is that it's not just a product being patented. It's a product plus a thing you attach to the product, i.e., the tire, that together create a shape that forms the basis of the patent. The patent isn't simply a product; it's both a product and a math problem."

"This new patent could cover a significant number of aero wheels in the market. There are many aero rims made in widths of 25mm and greater. Do prospective infringers believe Toroidal 2.0 is an enforceable patent? Unknown by us as of this writing. The patent was granted on November 18, 2014 (this public announcement was made congruent with the Specialized license deal). HED reports knowing of no objections since to its patent since its granting. Objections could still be forthcoming."

so they've patented having a rim wider than your tyre?

No.

did they patient round rims?

That was Team GB for the 2012 'lympics.

Looking at potentially purchasing an Argon E80 frameset. Can I draw any real data from this graph other than more expensive = more fasterer? Is it really trying to say drag from the frame is 20% more at 0 yaw than a full bongo sleeveless frameset (however little that amount may be in watts)?

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Can I draw any real data from this graph

You can conclude that Argon18 release a new bike every time they've come up with something which does slightly better than their last one using the test protocol they invented. From their marketing material, you can't tell whether their bikes are actually any good compared with the competition.

Can't say I've ever heard anything particularly outstanding about any Argon 18 frame.

Can't say I've ever heard anything particularly outstanding about any Argon 18 frame

The few that I've seen have looked about as aerodynamic as a brick, and the owners have usually switched to something decent as soon as they could.

Well that's that settled then. Thank you fellas!

There used to be a monospoke wheel to go with an Argon 18 track bike, that was pretty cool.

Ha! Photo of me in SLVLSS mode used to illustrate an article about aerodynamics in 220Triathlon magazine.

http://www.220triathlon.com/training/bike/cycling-aerodynamics-qanda-how-can-i-reduce-drag-on-the-bike-section/10782.html

Should I switch my rear wheel on my 80s steel fixed TT bike from an open pro 32 spoke to a halo aero-track because I have it and it might be more aero, or should I ignore that and go with style and matching wheels?

Additionally I can borrow my brother's 50mm U-shaped carbon rimmed front. 80s grey anodised open-pro style or aero gains!?

It's a 25 mile TT with about 150m of climbing.

Campagnolo Ghibli

Yeah ok. When can I pick it up?

Halo is only 27mm - meh, go with whatever is lighter.
Carbon on the front.

Sorry, just seen this.

The gub is actually nice and comfy. Sits just so too. So the visor is well placed. The bits that bolt on to make it aero are pretty flumsy and sharp. That hasnt been a problem though.

I still use my Giro mostly. The GUB was bought for TTs and Tris.

SLVLSS

I see sleeves.

Next question: is an aeroshell on a Lazer o2 helmet actually aero? It's only £15 so I suppose it probably won't make it any less aero...

worst comes to worst, it still looks pretty cool...