The Influence of the Phase Difference between the Crank Angle of the Pilot and that of the Stoker on the Drag Acting on a Tandem Bike

Abstract

Two wind tunnel experiments were carried out to investigate the drag acting on a tandem bike. One experiment involved measurement of the drag acting on two full-scale human models on a tandem. These two human models can pedal the tandem. In the other experiment, two oscillating cylinders were used as a simplified model of the legs of the pilot and the stoker. These were arranged to represent the legs of the riders on a tandem. Measurements of the drag on this model were made. It was found that the drag decreases when the crank angle of the stoker’s pedal is delayed with respect to the pilot’s pedal.

Keywords

• tandem bike
• drag
• two full-scale human models
• the phase difference between the crank angle of the pilot and that of the stoker