Inside Trek's Top-Secret Wind Tunnel Tests

Photos: Sterling Lorence
Previous | Home

Photo: Sterling Lorence

Until three weeks ago, wind tunnels were primarily the domain of rocket scientists and roadies. While mountain bikers—specifically downhillers—were busy lobbying the UCI to ban skinsuits and make visors mandatory, road riders and triathletes were spending hundreds of hours in wind tunnels across the globe, perfecting their body positions and equipment.

That changed three weeks ago, when the Trek World Racing downhill team descended on San Diego’s low-speed wind tunnel. The tunnel has been used by Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Greg LeMond and other cycling greats, but it was the first time mountain bikers had ever been tested in the facility.

The team’s goals were simple: to reduce their drag and hopefully shave a few seconds from their downhill runs. Trek’s engineers (eight of them traveled to San Diego) believe that reducing drag by just a few percentage points could save as much as 2 or 3 seconds on a long DH World Cup course. Even on a shorter course, like the one in Canberra, Australia—where the World Championships will be held in early September—a slight reduction in drag could mean the difference between first and fifth.

Trek invited Bike and Dirt magazines to watch the tests, and photographer Sterling Lorence was on hand to capture the action. Over 12 hours, Trek riders Justin Leov, Tracy Moseley and Andrew Neethling rotated in and out of the tunnel, testing everything from radically shaped helmets to futuristic bike tubes.

Were the results worth the effort? Trek riders were able to find double-digit percentage decreases in drag. Will it catapult them to victory in Canberra? Only time will tell.

For the complete story, check out Bike’s November issue.

Reader Comments

Posted Fri Aug28, 2009, 12:46 AM — By Kevin Simons

Is there nothing sacred anymore? Leave downhill alone Trek! If anything it should be mandatory to wear bulky clothes to INCREASE drag. Downhill is about having the coordination, knowledge, and BALLS to crank it up on your way downhill. The fastest rider should be able to wear blue jeans and a hoodie and still win. Maybe Trek needs to figure out how to keep those tin can downhill frames of theirs from folding over and stop trying to "Lance Armstrong" the downhill.

Posted Fri Aug28, 2009, 10:37 AM — By Sergio Moran

I think is cool trying to evolve the sport in the race form. Remember, DH racing is F1 in the dirt bike form. It is obvious companies like Trek want to make the squeeze out of their highly invested racers and engineers from other types of cycling races. Races and recers are the ultimate test lab for us, non-racer weekend warriors, to enjoy really awesome products... and I ride a Specialized. Just wanted to make clear that.

Posted Fri Aug28, 2009, 10:35 AM — By Sergio Moran

and BTW, the aero DH bike looks awesome. Cheers!

Posted Fri Aug28, 2009, 7:20 PM — By andre dei santi

Fantastic!!!

Posted Sun Aug30, 2009, 10:13 AM — By Keith Danger

Ha, road racing aerodynamics are fine on the road, but what happens when Leov pulls a sic whip and his aerodynamics buffer the wind and sail him clean off the trail? Downhill racing is popular and successful because its a racing sport accessible to all and not just the well-off, by introducing expensive and advanced aerodynamics into the sport, smaller companies will get pushed out and the sport will become more 'exclusive' once again - I'm with Kevin Simons on this one, shame on Trek for this, they have no ethics or morals and are too interested in money!

Posted Mon Aug31, 2009, 9:54 PM — By Paul Petch

Brilliant!

Posted Fri Sep 4, 2009, 2:15 PM — By KM

It doesn't matter how much money you put into this and how good of a bike you make but what really counts is the rider, you can have the best bike ever but if you don't have a good rider it's just an expensive POS, it's the rider that makes the bike.

Posted Sun Sep 6, 2009, 2:56 AM — By Alan

Props to Trek. They paved the way for modern mountain biking. A little R&D will not make the sport more "exclusive". It always comes down to a matter of skill and the choice of product by the rider. I like Trek, always have. Their frame geometry is always spot on and while others experiment a la goofy style and fads, Trek keeps the sensibility that keeps me buying. P.S. Bring the frame manufacturing back to the USA.

Posted Mon Sep 7, 2009, 11:38 PM — By JOhnny ShOx

True that it is the rider and not the bike that wins races. But when you have the top 10 riders that are only seconds apart in any given race, then it is the bike that can make the difference. There is nothing wrong with advancing bike technology to try and make the bike as fast as it can be. Obviously these bikes will not be for the weekend warrior, but for top level DH racers where seconds make the difference between winning and loosing.

Posted Wed Sep23, 2009, 5:44 PM — By gabriel

all respect to trek for leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of the ultimate downhill race weapon. i just dread to think what will happen if these sort of set ups start winning and suddenly every man and his dog decides they want an aero bike too. Because the big companies answer to this will be to put silly expensive aero tubing on every bike in the range, leaving nothing for the rider who really doesnt care about a second here or there coming down the mountain, but does want a bike that will last more that 1 season without cracking.session 88's for racing. brooklyn machine works for all year thrashing.if only i had the money. :(

Posted Fri Sep25, 2009, 4:44 AM — By Felix Aves

i am hungry

Posted Sat Sep26, 2009, 6:46 PM — By Carter

Hey, I think this is a cool thing their doing. I'll admit, trek is not my favorite bike company, but I'm glad to see that they're moving forward and trying out new things. Like others, I'll stick with the old fashioned bikes. But don't let that stop anyone from testing out new things.

Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009, 10:04 PM — By Jim

However silly the sight of a downhiller in a wind tunnel may be, I think the outrage over this is ridiculous. There are really two paths that downhill racing can take: unfettered technological advancement a la wind tunnels, carbon fiber, and lycra like has been done with road and XC cycling, or some sort of imposed limitations on clothing and equipment along the lines of NJS standardization for Keirin bikes and equipment in Japan. I don't think the second option would be good for the sport.

Posted Thu Dec10, 2009, 8:04 AM — By sfb

haha, wanna see him riding downhill with his head just a few inches above the handlebar (pic1). say goodbye front teeth!