Author Topic: U.S. Olympic bicycle info wanted  (Read 1985 times)

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Offline Reverend Hedgash

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U.S. Olympic bicycle info wanted
« on: February 19, 2008, 06:11:35 PM »
Hello all.

A friend is working on some short docos  around turning points in "game changing" sporting innovation.  One of which is on the Super bike see blurb below.  He is looking for info on people in Australia or the U.S. who helped with the streamlining of the US bicycles for the Olympics in 1984.

 Apparently RMIT Royal Institue of Technology in Melbourne (headed up by Lochlan Tompson) were quite involved in the development of  aerodynamic bikes at the time.

I thought that perhaps that someone here  might know of any 'colourful characters' who were involved (in any way) with the development of these bikes at the time.  He wants to go for the human angle (not so much technological detail)and so are trying to find people who were involved, effected by that have strong opinions on this subject.  The quirkier the better. ANy thoughts???

SUPERBIKE

Engineers at Cal State University at Long Beach changed the aerodynamics of track racing bicycles - resulting in the "Superbike". Starting with aerodynamic helmets and carbon fibre discs on the wheels, they gradually made everything more aerodynamic including the shoes. The increase in the speed of the bikes without any more effort was remarkable. The US cycling team had won one medal in Olympics prior to 1984. At the LA Olympics that year they won 11 medals.

Any ideas welcome.

Ta

Rev. H+
« Last Edit: February 19, 2008, 09:59:44 PM by Reverend Hedgash »

Offline whitworthsocket

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Quirky Helmets
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2008, 12:19:34 PM »
Hello all.

A friend is working on some short docos  around turning points in "game changing" sporting innovation.  One of which is on the Super bike see blurb below.  He is looking for info on people in Australia or the U.S. who helped with the streamlining of the US bicycles for the Olympics in 1984.

 Apparently RMIT Royal Institue of Technology in Melbourne (headed up by Lochlan Tompson) were quite involved in the development of  aerodynamic bikes at the time.

I thought that perhaps that someone here  might know of any 'colourful characters' who were involved (in any way) with the development of these bikes at the time.  He wants to go for the human angle (not so much technological detail)and so are trying to find people who were involved, effected by that have strong opinions on this subject.  The quirkier the better. ANy thoughts???

SUPERBIKE

Engineers at Cal State University at Long Beach changed the aerodynamics of track racing bicycles - resulting in the "Superbike". Starting with aerodynamic helmets and carbon fibre discs on the wheels, they gradually made everything more aerodynamic including the shoes. The increase in the speed of the bikes without any more effort was remarkable. The US cycling team had won one medal in Olympics prior to 1984. At the LA Olympics that year they won 11 medals.

Any ideas welcome.

Ta

Rev. H+
ReV get your friend to feast his eyes on this

http://www.lambretta.it/foto2/lotta6.jpg

http://www.lambretta.it/provaing.html

Regards Whitworthsocket
 
Regards
Whitworthsocket