Aerodynamic Performance Analysis Of Bicycle Wheels Based On CFD Simulation

Purpose: For a long time,aerodynamics has played a critical role in all speed sports,including track cycling.Particularly in high-level competitions,bicycles with excellent aerodynamic performance often help elite athletes achieve breakthroughs in their results.Therefore,we need a deeper understanding and analysis of the aerodynamic performance of different types of track bike wheels to provide scientific theoretical support for tactical formulation and equipment selection strategies in this sport.Method: Based on computational fluid dynamics(CFD)and numerical simulation technology,this study established 3D models of six common types of track bike wheels and fluid domain Moving Reference Frame-Rotating Wall mixed model(MRF-RW).Using the finite volume method(FVM)and SST(Shear-Stress Transport)k-ω turbulence model,numerical simulations were conducted to simulate the flow field at a certain angular velocity,and pressure coefficient contour maps and flow velocity streamline maps were established.Results: At a speed of 22m/s and zero yaw angle,the results of air resistance were 3.27306 N for a 58 mm spoked wheel,3.12992 N for an 82 mm spoked wheel,2.62195 N for a five-spoke wheel,2.46405 N for a three-spoke wheel,2.41923 N for a flat disc wheel,and 2.30854 N for a convex disc wheel.The results for torque were 0.59525 N·m for a 58 mm spoked wheel,0.53507N·m for an 82 mm spoked wheel,0.51806 N·m for a five-spoke wheel,0.43909 N·m for a threespoke wheel,0.35803 N·m for a flat disc wheel,and 0.34752 N·m for a convex disc wheel.Conclusion: Under the same speed and zero yaw angle,for spoked wheels,the higher the rim and the shorter the spokes,the better the aerodynamic performance and the relatively smaller rotating torque.For solid wheels,the more blades there are,the larger the rotating torque and the worse the aerodynamic performance.Convex disc wheels have a slight advantage in aerodynamic performance compared to flat disc wheels,but further simulations and calculations may be necessary.Overall,disc wheels have the best aerodynamic performance,and solid wheels have better aerodynamic performance than spoked wheels.