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Trek Introduces a Simpler, Lighter, Faster, Better Speed Concept TT/Tri Bike

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TK13_SC_Beauty_rear_web

After releasing the original Speed Concept, the Kammtail Virtual Foil design offered impressive aerodynamics, with integrated storage that added to the overall design. The original was a great design – how would Trek be able to improve upon it? Making it lighter and faster is a start. Add in even more integrated storage solutions, better fit, and a simpler design that requires less assembly time, and you have the blueprint for success.

After extensive real world aerodynamic testing, the result is an all new Speed Concept that is better in almost every way.

Wind tunnel testing and CFD are great tools for use in creating wind cheating designs, but just what is the average wind speed and yaw that is encountered while riding a bike? As you might guess, it varies significantly which is exactly what Trek set out to find out. Air Pressure SensorWay back in early 2009, Trek’s engineers created a mobile wind sensor system (pictured left) that gave real time measurements of yaw angle and wind speed, with other key data like GPS Speed, location, heading, and altitued. The sensor extended from the front of the bike and measured at 10,000 hz with it averaged to 100 hz for accuracy.

The sensor was calibrated at the San Diego low speed wind tunnel, and positioned so that the rider or bike had little effect on the sensor. According to Trek, the hardest part of the equation was developing an algorithm to turn the pressure data from the sensors into reliable information on wind speed and yaw angle. Eventually the sensor had to be moved to a scooter that rode behind the rider, since the data acquisition system had to be carried in a backpack on the rider, potentially affecting the cyclist’s natural speed variations.

After following riders around the Ironman Kona, Arizona, and Wisconsin courses at various speeds with multiple riders, Trek compiled the data to find just what is the typical yaw and wind speed encountered in various triathlons. Further testing was carried out by creating a mathematical simulation using the real world data that captures the physics of a bicycle race allowing Trek’s engineers to race virtual bikes head to head.

More real world simulations were used to validate the final design’s wind tunnel performance with the new bike saving a rider, who averages 20 mph on the previous SC, 99 seconds at Ironman Hawaii, and 148 seconds at Ironman Arizona on the new SC. In addition to wind tunnel testing of the final design, Fabian Cancellara hopped on the new bike at the Valencia Velodrome equipped with the new state of the art Alphamantis Aerostick sensor, which replaces the previously developed sensor. Fabian’s testing at the wind tunnel confirmed a savings of 30-40 seconds in a one-hour time trial.

You can get a lot more tech geek by diving into the Trek Speed Concept Whitepaper, but we’ll leave it at the fact that Trek put a lot of time and effort into the aerodynamics of the new bike.

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Even if you’re not convinced on the aerodynamics of the new bike, the good news is there are a number of tangible improvements offered as well. Reducing the frontal area of the bike by 30% not only cut down on drag, but also allowed for the removal of 437g from the frame. With a refined KVF design, the new SC has a deepened fork profile, and the radical rear brake cover. The redesign of the frontal area also resulted in less hardware and increased range of fit over the previous bike.

Speed Concept Frame

Called the Speed Fin, the non-UCI approved brake booster acts as a fairing for the rear wheel saving 10g of drag. A UCI approved cover is also available that has a built in Di2 battery mount – the non UCI bike hides the battery in the seat tube. Trek claims the integrated brakes are now much easier to work on and offer more stopping power. The cables and housings on the frame are completely internal.

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Nearly as much attention was paid to the aerodynamics of the storage options as was paid to the new frame. The result – the bike is faster with all of the additional boxes and packs. The Draft Box 2 was increased in size in order to fit a tubular tire or full flat repair kit, and sits behind the seat tube to extend the airfoil design. On the top tube, the Speed Box 2 carries your fuel in a silicone design that holds 8 gels or 2 flasks – and importantly, is easy to clean. A carbon computer cage is offered for the aerobars that holds a bottle and offers a place to mount your computer where you can actually see it. Finally, the 2-pack Aero bottle cage sits behind the saddle holding two bottles with room for more gear and improved aerodynamics.

Combined, Trek claims the storage options can save up to 253 seconds on an Ironman distance bike course.

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The new Speed Concept 9 is offered in 5 sizes in both men’s and WSD, each with 6 stem options. Currently the new design is limited to the 9 series with framesets retailing for $4,999, and complete bikes starting with the 9.5 and 9.5 WSD at $5,999, all the way up to Team and Rider special editions available through Project 1. Maybe one of the best features for bike shops – Trek claims the new bike takes an entire hour out of the build time.

 

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26 Comments
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MA
MA
10 years ago

Soon these will have tail fin over the rear wheel and dive planes over the front fork…

I always love TT/Tri bike designs…

Fabricio
Fabricio
10 years ago

@MA I’m MTB rider but agree with you 100%

Poor wrench
Poor wrench
10 years ago

As a wrench who works on SC’s. Anything trek can do to ease the labor on these things is appreciated. All TT bikes a a pain to work on.

Tak
Tak
10 years ago

Very cool.
I look forward to more of this tech coming to their regular road bikes.

Ck
Ck
10 years ago

It will be funny to see how far they’ll push the non-UCI version in terms of fairings and such.

Gmunden
Gmunden
10 years ago

@TAK- I see a lot of tech from the newer Madone on this Speed Concept Update, which is also funny since that Madone took some tech from the original Speed Concept haha. It’s all cyclical

Steve M
Steve M
10 years ago

The possibility of slicing off one or more of the crown jewels getting on and off the thing at the coffee shop makes me queasy.

ccolagio
ccolagio
10 years ago

those racks and cases on the back of that thing remind me of touring motorcycles

momo
momo
10 years ago

mehhhhh.
check out the new Specialized stuff

Mindless
Mindless
10 years ago

Nice for a latte run. They need an integrated cup holder though.

disgruntled
disgruntled
10 years ago

YAY! AN ENTIRE HOUR OUT OF A SOMETIMES FIVE HOUR PROCESS!!!! (Y) TREK (Y)
^_^

gravity
gravity
10 years ago

@momo – Honestly, nothing Specialized makes come close to the aerodynamics and (highly relative) ease of use of the Speed Concept, both the 9 and the 7 series. The Shiv is a nightmare to work on, and when you’re done, you have a bike that (according to wind tunnel tests by everyone other than Specialized) is slower, and doesn’t work as well.

I generally think that Trek is a bland brand that plays it safe, but they’ve really knocked it out of the park with both the Speed Concept and the Madone. We’ll see how the 2014s stack up, I guess.

Bob
Bob
10 years ago

I’ve looked at plenty of graphs of drag at different yaw angles. The industry propaganda never explains what yaw angles I will actually encounter on the road. So its awesome that Trek is actually trying to figure that out and put it to use.

Maddogeco
Maddogeco
10 years ago

How much down force does it generate? I don’t want my rear wheel loosening traction when I put the power down

Mike C
Mike C
10 years ago

Tri-bikes suck to work on; they all seem to have their own flavor and particular area of suckiness. With the SC, it’s the brakes. We’re told they made ’em better, but I don’t see any specifics. Madone-style double post arrangement? That would make sense… so probably not. I’ll believe it when I get my hands on one…

Gabe
Gabe
10 years ago

@Mindless: Check out their website. It does have a pretty neat solution to water storage.

greg
greg
10 years ago

ive worked on pretty much every major and minor brand of tri bike. most are a pain. the original speed concept was not that bad. the shiv tri is a cakewalk, though.
original shiv tt with the nose cone was a different story. the brake in the nose was an exercise in frustration.

Vassilis K.
Vassilis K.
10 years ago

Specialized was already ahead form Trek with the SHIV : http://www.specialized.com/gr/en/bikes/road/shiv

WVCYCLING
10 years ago

“As a wrench who works on SC’s. Anything trek can do to ease the labor on these things is appreciated. All TT bikes a a pain to work on.”

AMEN

James
James
10 years ago

I think it’s funny all the trouble they go through to make these bikes more aerodynamic, but what about the big non-aerodynamic lump of meat that sits on top of the bike?

Cymacyma
10 years ago

Trek announced that total assembly time measured as 1.5 hour, while previous bike takes about 2.5 hours. So 1 hour cut out, not for 1 hour assembly =3

Taylor
Taylor
10 years ago

Anyone know if Trek has solved the issue of the TT frames cracking at the lugs/joints? I’m on my 4th one and it needs to go back.

Brian
Brian
10 years ago

oh snap!

john
john
10 years ago

whatever is poking up from the bar (computer mount?) makes this whole contraption look like it’s prepared for mid-flight refueling…

Aaron
Aaron
10 years ago

@Maddogeco: Fortunately, the aero bottle cage behind the saddle works like a spoiler to help keep the rear end down under the sort of power you generate. Trek was thinking ahead.

carles
carles
10 years ago

wow.. a new seatpost clamp from trek???

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