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Video: Reynolds Cycling wheels guru Paul Lew talks aerodynamics & sidewindspaul lew talks wheels

Video: Reynolds Cycling wheels guru Paul Lew talks aerodynamics & sidewinds

How do the latest Reynolds shapes make your bike more stable in the wind?
by David Arthur @davearthur
Mon, Jun 24, 2013 11:09
5

Paul Lew, the chief aero engineer at Reynolds Cycling, recently talked road.cc through the latest Reynolds wheel range, dubbed simply Aero. In particular, Lew described how his latest design tackle the bugbear of deep-section wheels, stability and handling in cross-winds.

Paul Lew is a former pro triathlete, an aero expert and a composites engineer – a genuine big cheese in the world of bicycle design. He set up Lew Racing and is with Reynolds Cycling. When he’s not reinventing the bike wheel he's been known to work on unmanned aircraft for the US government – drones, to you and me.

The Reynolds Cycling Aero wheel range was launched this year and uses their Dispersive Effect Termination (DET) rim design that was first introduced on the really expensive RZR 92 wheels. There are three rim depths, 58, 72 and 90mm, and prices start from £2,099. Expensive, yes, but half the price of the aforementioned RZR 92 wheels.

What is DET? Well, if you watch the video above Paul explains it in detail. In short, it's a rim shape that improves the handling of wheels in cross-winds.

The wheels are built with DT Swiss Aerolite spokes, G2 alloy nipples and DT Swiss 180 straight pull hubs. The complete weight of the three new wheelsets is competitive. The Aero 58 hits the scales at 1,570g, the Aero 72 is 1,680g and finally the Aero 90 is 1,900g.

wheels
Reynolds
Paul Lew
Aero
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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5 comments

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jackp30 | 11 years ago
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Lew Is Correct About The Air Foil Advantage As Measured In A wind Tunnel.
What He Fails To Mention Is That His Model Works In A Steady State.
Sudden Changes In Wind Speed Or Direction are Going To Cause Dangerous Conditions For a cyclist In A Group Ride.

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dave atkinson replied to jackp30 | 11 years ago
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jackp30 wrote:

Lew Is Correct About The Air Foil Advantage As Measured In A wind Tunnel.
What He Fails To Mention Is That His Model Works In A Steady State.
Sudden Changes In Wind Speed Or Direction are Going To Cause Dangerous Conditions For a cyclist In A Group Ride.

Paul just emailed us to add this:

Paul Lew wrote:

The significant benefit of DET is when the flow is not steady state. Gusty wind conditions create the maximum risk for a cyclist, and as your reader pointed out, it's dangerous for all cyclists in close proximity, and DET minimizes this risk significantly. Non-steady state flow IS where DET really out performs other shapes. I am disappointed that I did not make that point clear.

Avatar
jackp30 | 11 years ago
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Sounds Nice,But Believe Me You
Don't Want to Be Caught By A Gust Of Wind In A Group Ride.
The DET won't Help You.
Only A Prayer.
Just Ask Vino How He Broke His Pelvis.
39

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dtb200 | 11 years ago
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Being both a cyclist and sailor, I found that really interesting (perhaps more so than the interviewer did...?? 16 )

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Metjas | 11 years ago
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I thought they came with DT Swiss 240 hubs?

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