The
rider accounts for over 2/3rds of the drag the entire vehicle must
overcome. This makes the rider's positioning crucial to overall
aerodynamics and this is where Softride really separates itself from
other aerodynamic frame options. Softride technology isolates the rider
from road shock, even over rough roads or large surface variations like
railroad tracks. This allows the rider to stay tucked into an efficient
aero position longer and in greater comfort.
Softride is
the most aerodynamic bike on the market for a few very simple reasons.
Our bike lacks two major airflow disturbers that virtually all other
designs have at least one of ‚ a seat tube and/or stays that extend all
the way to the seat juncture. Not having material in high airflow areas
drastically lowers the likelihood of turbulence and lowers the drag
coefficient. By eliminating the need for long stays or a seat tube,
Softride reduces the surface area, from both the front and the sides.
This maximizes the frame's aerodynamics without compromising other key
variables in the process.
To prove, once again, that Softride is the most aerodynamic bike on the
market we headed to the University of Washington Kirsten wind tunnel
testing facilities. Comparative drag tests conducted by the University
of Washington Aeronautical Laboratory (UWAL) tested what are considered
to be the fastest aero bikes in the industry. The tested bikes included
a Cervelo P3, Litespeed Blade, Trek Team Time Trial, and Softride
FASTT7. All bikes were tested with the same rider, frame size, bike
components, rider cadence, and a constant speed of 30 mph. Where did
Softride end up? On top, of course! We came in 82 seconds faster than
our nearest competitor, the Cervelo P3. Talk about maximized
aerodynamics!
