Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Lotus 7 style front cycle wing optimisation

OliverSedlacek · 07-13-2022, 06:19 PM

Firstly, apologies if this has been covered previously but I'm new here and don't know why may round.
I've got a Caterham 7 and I'm wondering what I can achieve in terms of drag reduction if I make some new front cycle wings. Many seem to try to just go for a minimal wing (to ape the F1 open wheel look), but I suspect that is the worst thing you can do. The questions I'm asking myself are:
1. Where should the front edge of the wing start? Presumably I want to cover most of the front of the tyre.
2. How tight should the clearance be between tyre and wing? A small clearance would reduce frontal area but increase wind shear.
3. What can one do at the rear of the cycle wing? I don't want to have a great long teardrop, not least because steering becomes impossible. Pinning the separation line is presumably 'a good thing'.
4. How far down the tyre sidewall should I go? As far as the rim?

If there are any wind tunnel or CFD studies I'd be interested to read them.

07-13-2022, 06:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
OliverSedlacek EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: South Bucks Posts: 14 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Lotus 7 style front cycle wing optimisation Firstly, apologies if this has been covered previously but I'm new here and don't know why may round. I've got a Caterham 7 and I'm wondering what I can achieve in terms of drag reduction if I make some new front cycle wings. Many seem to try to just go for a minimal wing (to ape the F1 open wheel look), but I suspect that is the worst thing you can do. The questions I'm asking myself are: 1. Where should the front edge of the wing start? Presumably I want to cover most of the front of the tyre. 2. How tight should the clearance be between tyre and wing? A small clearance would reduce frontal area but increase wind shear. 3. What can one do at the rear of the cycle wing? I don't want to have a great long teardrop, not least because steering becomes impossible. Pinning the separation line is presumably 'a good thing'. 4. How far down the tyre sidewall should I go? As far as the rim? If there are any wind tunnel or CFD studies I'd be interested to read them.