Measurements Wheel Aerodynamics Table of Coefficients of Wheel Drag Wheel Rotational Inertia Table of Wheel Inertia and Mass Equations of Motion F orces on Rider Wheels are a small portion of the forces on a bike and rider. The differences between wheels are small. Clearly, another approach, other than direct power measurement, is needed. The table below gives typical values for the forces on two riders. The Standard Rider is on 32 hole standard wheels and the Test Rider is on Specialized tri-spokes.
Forces are in grams of force since such forces are often quoted that way.
Aerodynamics A paper by D. I. Greenwell, et. 99, No. 983, Mar. 1995, pp.109-120, has a good discussion of the aerodynamics of bicycle wheels. Axial drag forces are difficult to measure precisely. Most single valued measurements should be suspect. Deep section aero wheels are better than a conventional 36 spoke wheel and are all about the same within the limits of measurement.