Giro d’Italia: Nibali, Nizzolo and the bikes with the 800 dollar gearbox fairing

Cycling is technology and innovation. We saw it at the Milan-Sanremo, with the seatpost dropper used by the winner Matej Mohoric. That is, that dropper post that raises and lowers six centimeters with a handlebar-mounted ring nut, and allows the rider to lower the center of gravity on the descent. In fact, Mohoric used it in the Poggio swoop, one of the most difficult in the world, where every meter can be decisive. And then we talked about technology at Paris-Roubaix, with a system (later not used in the race) launched by the Dutch team DSM to regulate tire pressure in the race, which is fundamental in such a demanding test.

The mechanism

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Technology is also discussed at the Giro d’Italia: Nibali’s Astana, Nizzolo’s Israel-Premier Tech and Girmay’s Intermarché-Wanty have used an innovative system on their bikes to protect the derailleur, i.e. the mechanism in the rear. of the gearbox where there are the sprockets (the smallest ratios). The system is an aircraft carbon fairing that costs a whopping $ 800. The product, as reported by the British colleagues of Cyclingnews, was born from the collaboration between two companies, CeramicSpeed ​​(components) and Drag2Zero (aerodynamic consultants): the latter deals with aerodynamics both in cycling and in Formula 1. This derailleur protection , fixed and tied to the frame, has a beveled, aerodynamic front, and an open rear to allow the chain to pass. And in the past something similar had been used by both Cancellara and Armstrong.

The rules

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Need it? Not needed? First of all, it must be said that every component of bicycles, in order to be used, must be available on the market: so say the rules of the UCI, the world federcycle. So it was with Mohoric’s “seatpost dropper”, which cost around 300 euros and is widely used in mountain biking. There are various versions of this fairing on the market: its use is linked to the search for any marginal gain. And the UCI judges, who examined the bikes before the time trial, did not notice anything abnormal, otherwise they would have forced him to change them. What happened today at the start of the time trial from Budapest? In recent days, the UCI had been informed by the teams and builders that this fairing would be used. So, when the riders showed up today for the check on their bicycles (at least 15 ‘before the start), the UCI judges in charge of the control took the photos of the system and sent them in real time to the managers of the Material Commission. Aigle (Switzerland): the ok was given, as it was identical to what was expected, and all the riders were able to start regularly.

The witness

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From personal experience, we can tell an illuminating episode. Milan Polytechnic, Bovisa wind tunnel, reference point for bicycle and clothing manufacturers. With Professor Marco Belloli, head of the Polytechnic Department on which the wind tunnel depends, we talked about the aerodynamic advantages associated with shorter or longer socks. Well, the aerodynamic experts are very clear: the impact of the air is first of all on the wheel (and therefore the shape of the rim counts) and then on the rider’s arms. The air stream breaks against the wheel and deviates. Everything behind it, from socks to shoe covers, to the shape of the bottle, is irrelevant. Whether the sock is more or less high is a millesimal detail. Research must focus on the wheel, tire shape, rim, spokes or rim spokes. As well as on the position of the arms. The use of these fairings, which also has the purpose of protecting the chain and rear sprockets from mud and dirt, is often a “psychological” advantage. Because cycling has become an extreme pursuit of anything that allows you to go faster.