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How Road Vibration Transfers to the Cyclist
Our latest research is looking at vibration and how it impacts cycling wheels, rolling resistance, and most recently, the cyclist. What know that vibration in a human creates micro tears in the muscles and the body attempts to stabilize itself, both leading to fatigue. Our theory states that if you can manage the vibration through…
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How To Balance a Cycling Wheel
Wheel balance is an important aspect of cycling that affects the overall performance, comfort, and safety of the ride. When a wheel is out of balance you can experience a violent shake at high speed referred to as a “speed wobble” or “death wobble.” Wheel imbalance also reduces stability, wastes watts, and potentially leads to…
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Introducing the FLO Aid Bag
“It’s not if you have an issue on the road, but when.” I received that advice from a fellow cyclist when I first started cycling and unfortunately in cycling, mechanical issues and injuries happen. I’m sure we’ve all been on the side of the road with a flat or waited for the pickup after a…
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Aerodynamics of Gravel Cycling
In early 2020, we released aerodynamic gravel wheels. During the design, we proved that you could save 11 watts compared to a standard box gravel wheel even with tires as large as 47mm. This is the same savings you have for road/triathlon cycling. I believed it would become accepted that gravel wheels could be aero.…
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The Secrets Behind The Best Spokes for Cycling Wheels
All FLO Wheels (minus the FLO DISC) use Sapim CX-Ray spokes because of their aerodynamic properties. The FLO DISC uses Sapim Laser Spokes since the spokes do not encounter the air. However, the real magic of a Sapim CX-Ray is its strength and durability which leads to few broken spokes, limited truing, and a long…
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Introducing the FLO Locking Chuck
When we released the FLO Air Gauge, we discussed another new product called the FLO Locking Chuck. When designing the FLO Air Gauge, we looked for a Presta style chuck to meet our needs but we could not find one we liked. The main issues we found were: So, in FLO style, we decided to…
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Introducing The FLO Mini Pump
With our recent release of the FLO Air Gauge, we discussed a new concept called modular inflation. Modular inflation stems from the ability to use the FLO Air Gauge with any pump. Naturally, we felt a mini pump was an excellent addition to FLO’s line of inflation products. The beauty of adding the FLO Mini…
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IM Hawaii and IM Kona Wheel, Tire, and Tire Pressure Selection
I recently visited The Big Island of Hawaii and reviewed the bike course for Ironman Hawaii 70.3 and Ironman Kona. I’ve spent time studying the course and have been fortunate to attend the World Championship race seven times. Over the years I’ve learned a lot and hope this article will help prepare you for your…
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Using Bike Tires as Shocks on Gravel Terrain and Rough Roads
Mountain bikes have shocks to help absorb obstacles on the trail. Roads do not usually contain those obstacles so no shocks are needed on road bikes. What about gravel? Cycling shocks were heavily debated for several years through the “Frankenbike” phase and the bikes people rode in the early gravel days were entertaining. Ultimately, the…
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Why Lower Tire Pressures are Required for Wider Cycling Tires and Rim
Wider wheels = faster wheels. However, the key to getting the most out of a wider internal rim width wheel is accurate tire pressure. If you haven’t lowered your tire pressure, you’re losing time. This article walks you through why lower pressures are required for larger tires or wider rims. Casing Tension in Cycling Tires…
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How a Cycling Wheel Supports its Load
You probably know that wheels are an essential component of a bike’s design, but have you ever wondered how the spokes of the wheel work to keep it rolling? In this article, we’ll explore the highly debated question, “Does a Cycling Wheel Stand on the Bottom Spokes or Hang from the Top Spokes?” Does a…
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How Carbon Fiber Wheels Lower Vibration and Make You Faster
Cycling wheels are one of the closest components to the surface of road and their design and materials can significantly impact the ride quality. (Note: a wheel does not include a tire.) One of the factors that affects the ride quality is the wheel’s ability to absorb vibration generated from the road surface. Carbon fiber…
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Wheels, Tires, Tire Pressure and Aerodynamics for the Belgian Waffle Ride California
Every April, the Belgian Waffle Ride California delights race competitors from around the globe. This unique course is a blend of “Road” and “Unroad” sections and changes every single year. Many make the mistake of believing the unroad terrain is gravel but it’s defined as “extremely technical” and known for its difficulty, making gear selection…
