Turbulent Aero is Reserve’s aerodynamic design protocol.

Turbulent Aero (TA) is the foundation of how we design our wheels and how we validate our wind tunnel tests against real world riding conditions.

Turbulent Aero Explained

Wind tunnels have been used for years to help inform decisions about airflow and aerodynamics in cycling. 

But wind tunnels only tell half the story. 

In the real world, wind rarely blows consistently from one direction. More often, it whips and whirls in seemingly unpredictable patterns, gusting and grabbing at your bike. Anyone who’s ridden a deep-section wheel knows that while there are benefits to them, there can also be drawbacks, particularly when you’re riding in a crosswind.

To learn more about the unpredictable nature of real-world conditions, we collected data at many of the most popular riding spots in North America and across Europe. We used that data to design wheels that perform in real-world aerodynamic conditions, not just in wind tunnels.

To overcome the limitations of traditional wind tunnels, Reserve uses a unique testing facility that can replicate real-world wind conditions, modeled from the data we collected on the road. This allows us to make wheels that perform better in real-world riding conditions. The result is that Reserve’s Turbulent Aero Wheels are faster and more stable.

Our aero wheels all feature two different numbers. 34|37, 42|49, 57|64. These numbers denote the rim depths, front and rear, respectively. The shorter front rim improves handling and confidence on the bike by preventing crosswinds from pushing your front wheel around. 

The rear wheel is better protected by the bike and rider, so the taller rear rim reduces aerodynamic drag from the spinning wheel. This delivers more speed for less effort with no adverse effects on the bike’s handling. 

If you’d like to read more about the process of capturing real-world data and reproducing the conditions in a wind tunnel environment, you can check out the full story here.