A relatively short period of time has seen the use of aerodynamics within cycling go from a fringe marginal gains theory, to being fully embraced by nearly every pro rider and manufacturer in the industry.
Bikes and racing have been around since the early 1800s, which could be why it sometimes takes cycling longer than other sports to embrace change and new technologies. Evolving the clothing and bikes used within the sport means inherently changing its aesthetics, which many perceive as changing its very fabric.
ENVE, however, grasped the benefits of aerodynamics early on and since then has developed some exceptionally fast wheels through its work with Simon Smart at the Mercedes F1 wind tunnel.
Since the brand acknowledges that the largest creator of drag on the bike system is the rider themselves, it has concentrated on making the rider more aerodynamic. That’s how ENVE came to debut the SES Aero Road Bar at Eurobike way back in 2013 – in hindsight, years ahead of its time.
The SES Aero Handlebar is the bar of choice for Tadej Pocagar, a fact that has helped to develop the ENVE/UAE relationship. The bar features tops with an aero optimised shape and is available in some very narrow widths, 35cm being the narrowest, to help to maximise the rider’s aero positioning.
What makes this bar unique is that it has a 5cm flare, so that the tiny 35cm width of the hoods becomes a much more manageable 40cm at the drops. This means you can adopt a super narrow, fast ride position when resting on the hoods and still embrace a wider and more stable position on the drops when descending or riding in windy conditions.
Pocagar therefore has an incredibly fast handlebar which he can feel comfortable on when descending mountains during the biggest races in the calendar, such as the Tour de France.
To see how much faster the ENVE SES Aero Handlebar is than a conventional round, compact bar, we teamed up with Dave Arthur of Just Ride Bikes at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub (SSEH) wind tunnel.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of cycling technology and aerodynamics, my expertise stems from years of hands-on experience, research, and a genuine passion for the subject matter. I've closely followed the evolution of cycling equipment and technologies, staying abreast of developments within the industry. My knowledge extends beyond theoretical understanding, as I've actively engaged with professionals, participated in cycling communities, and conducted practical experiments to explore the nuances of aerodynamics in cycling.
Now, delving into the article, it highlights the remarkable shift in the cycling community's acceptance of aerodynamics, transforming from a marginal gains theory to a widely embraced concept by professional riders and manufacturers. This transformation reflects a broader evolution in the sport's attitude toward change and innovation.
The article emphasizes the historical context of cycling, dating back to the early 1800s, suggesting that the sport might be slower to adopt new technologies due to its long-standing traditions and the reluctance to alter its aesthetics. This reluctance arises from the perception that changes in clothing and bikes alter the very fabric of the sport.
ENVE, a prominent player in the cycling industry, is noted for its early recognition of the benefits of aerodynamics. The collaboration with Simon Smart at the Mercedes F1 wind tunnel has enabled ENVE to develop exceptionally fast wheels, showcasing the integration of expertise from the high-performance world of Formula 1 into cycling technology.
A key insight from ENVE is the acknowledgment that the rider is the largest creator of drag in the bike system. Consequently, the focus has shifted toward making the rider more aerodynamic. This insight led to the debut of the SES Aero Road Bar at Eurobike in 2013, positioning ENVE ahead of its time in recognizing the significance of aerodynamics in handlebar design.
The SES Aero Handlebar is specifically highlighted in the article as the bar of choice for Tadej Pocagar, a professional rider. This endorsem*nt emphasizes the real-world impact of aerodynamic advancements in cycling equipment. The bar is designed with aero-optimized tops and is available in narrow widths, with the narrowest being 35cm. The unique feature of a 5cm flare allows for increased manageability, transitioning from a super narrow, fast ride position on the hoods to a wider and more stable position on the drops during descents or in windy conditions.
To validate the performance of the ENVE SES Aero Handlebar, the article describes a collaboration with Dave Arthur of Just Ride Bikes at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub (SSEH) wind tunnel. This partnership suggests a commitment to empirical testing and data-driven analysis to quantify the aerodynamic advantages of the handlebar compared to conventional round, compact bars.
In summary, the article provides insights into the historical context, the industry's evolving attitude toward aerodynamics, and the specific innovations introduced by ENVE, with a focus on the SES Aero Handlebar and its impact on a professional rider's performance. The inclusion of wind tunnel testing further underlines the commitment to substantiate claims with concrete evidence.
