The Wedgie went up against the wind at the A2 Wind Tunnel LLC testing facilities in North Carolina and the results were even better than expected.  The findings clearly showed that the Wedgie, the light-weight, aerodynamic, integrated water bottle and tool kit holder, will save the cyclist an average of 14.4 watts and 17.7 watts in a 10 degree (wind angle) cross wind, over the typical race-day set up.  “The results speak for themselves,” says Tom Schopf, Ironman and inventor of the Wedgie.  “Because the Wedgie improves the bicycle’s aerodynamics, the benefits to a triathlete are tremendous.”

The goal of the test was to measure the aerodynamic effectiveness of the Wedgie in real world conditions.  The test ranged from 0 to 25 degrees of yaw, representing the cross wind the bicycle would experience.  In order to get the most comprehensive understanding of the aerodynamic impact of adding equipment to a bicycle, they used the popular Cervelo P2C bike equipped with ZIPP race wheels as the benchmark.  The tests were performed on the “naked” bicycle, (the bicycle with no race-day gear) and again with the typical race-day essentials: one spare tube, three tire irons, two CO2 cartridges, one air chuck and a 28 oz. standard water bottle.  The first series of equipped-bike tests involved the typical set up of the water bottle cage mounted on the bicycle’s down tube and the tool bag behind the saddle at the end of a common aero mounting device.  The tests were then performed on the bike with the Wedgie, conveniently mounted in the lower triangle of the bike frame above the bottom bracket, carrying all the same essentials.

“I’ve been asked by racers if including the water bottle is necessary for the Wedgie,” says Schopf.  “The tests clearly showed that one of the key advantages of the Wedgie is that it’s more aerodynamic with the water bottle than without.  The wind hates sharp angles but loves smooth, rounded surfaces.  By having the water bottle on the Wedgie, any cross winds roll smoothly over the top and continue on the other side.”

The Wedgie has become a “must have” for triathletes and cyclists wanting the aerodynamic advantage of decreased drag.

For more detailed information please see the “Wedgie in the Wind Tunnel” white paper.