Cycling at the Olympics question

[special]

The read wheel has "solid spokes" to be more aerodynamic. But why they leave the front wheel with normal spokes? would it help to make is more like the rear wheel?

[NewtonMP2100]

....aero dynamics.....

[MikeF]

Not an airflow engineer, but it might make it harder to steer.

[mattkime]

steering. solid front wheels have been used in the past.

[cyclemax]

Disc wheels are heavier, less maneuverable, and can be blown around so they can be a real adventure with crosswinds. With steering a front disc can act as a rudder in the wind.

[special]

mattkime wrote:
steering. solid front wheels have been used in the past.

Interesting. Yes, I found pictures with solid wheels. So what makes it harder to steer?

[mattkime]

special wrote:
[quote=mattkime]
steering. solid front wheels have been used in the past.

Interesting. Yes, I found pictures with solid wheels. So what makes it harder to steer?
Thats a pic of a cyclist on an indoor track - no wind to worry about!

Buffeting winds can make steering very difficult since they'll push the wheel, the cyclist counter steers and then the wind stops and it makes for a very wavy path. Its also just hard on your hands and arms.

Newer aero carbon wheels are specifically designed to limit this effect. Part of the problem is that deeper wheels are faster without side winds. Tradeoffs.

[Buzz]

Blue-flame bonus power....
==

[davester]

special wrote:
[quote=mattkime]
steering. solid front wheels have been used in the past.

Interesting. Yes, I found pictures with solid wheels. So what makes it harder to steer?

Crosswinds can make it not only hard to steer but can make you crash. Heck, even without disk wheels I've almost crashed from being hit by sudden crosswinds that put a lot of force on the front wheel.