John Cobb on Bicycle Aerodynamics

I have been a fan of John Cobb for a while now and follow his work with interest. In my opinion he is a true visionary and someone who always challenges the norm, never accepting what is generally accepted as ‘good enough’.

Perhaps the only thing I feel he has done wrong is the collaboration with Steve Toll on the ISM Adamo saddle that I tried out a few years ago. Then again is there really a right and wrong when it comes to equipment? The saddle simply did not suit my body shape that’s all and I know at least half a dozen other triathlete’s that love it.

That said, he was involved in the design of the Rudy Project Wingspan helmet that I rate as one of the best aero helmets ever made and I cannot wait to get mine.

He has also worked many of the greats from Steve Hed to Boone Lennon and Greg LeMond but it is his recent partnership with Javelin, in which he did a significant amount of work in the wind tunnel testing on their Lugano frame, that produced some surprising results. It appears that the conventional thinking with regards airflow over a bicycle is all wrong, largely due to the fact that bikes travel at much lower speeds than cars, or airplanes for that matter, and are subjected to a greater variety of yaw angles.

Everything from shielding the back wheel to rear facing brake calipers are called into question and often what appears to be quickest in fact causes the most drag. Both Cobb and Simon Lessing also touch on another item that I believe is invaluable and that’s the psychological aspects of what your bike looks like to you because at the end of the day it doesn’t matter how fast it goes, if you don’t believe in it then you will never really go as fast as you are capable of.

Do yourself a favour and go watch the video for yourself. It may be over 17 minutes long and yes it is largely an advertorial but it’s inciteful and informative and you will be better informed when you choose your next TT/Tri bike.