Steve and Anne Hed are the
inventors of the modern aerodynamic wheel as we know it.
The little company in White Bear Lake, Minnesota revolutionized
the way a bicycle wheel looks when Hed developed the first
deep section wheels as a result of research at the Texas
A&M wind tunnel.
Since then the Heds have come with many
innovative performance enhancements. One of the more unusual
was a “leash” or strap used by Mark Allen
at Ironman that tied his hips to the handlebar stem in
an attempt to increase pedal leverage.
More recently the Heds have been at working
turning out the usual assortment of excellent wheels and
their new aerodynamic handlebar which was used by David
Millar, among others, in the 2003 Tour de France.
Rumors circulated at the 2003 Interbike
Trade Show in Las Vegas that Hed would be releasing a
very limited quantity of a bike frame based on wind tunnel
research conducted at Texas A&M. The development of
the frame was shrouded in secrecy and was actually never
meant to be sold to the public. It started life as an
aerodynamically “inert” design to isolate
the drag characteristics of wheels and other components
being tested. The result was a bike with drag numbers
so low it made even minor changes in aerobar design or
wheel configuration become more apparent.
The rumors are true: Hed has built a number
of the very unusual frames, dubbed the “VO3”
We acquired one of the very few bikes and have some early
photos of it here. We shot the photos the day the bike
arrived and passed them on to our friends at www.timetrial.org.
We haven’t built a HED VO3 yet or ridden one. The
one example we received is a size “medium”.
We also ordered a “small” which “May
be produced again some time” but has already been
sold through the very limited production run.
Here is a sneak peek at the new HED V03:
The Hed VO3 is a 700c wheel design, 76 degree
seat tube angle time trial specific frame. According to
HED it is a time trial specific frame designed from wind
tunnel test prototypes and sold primarily for the club
time trial circuit popular in England. The frame features
relatively neutral time trial geometry and dimensions.
It may be an alternative for triathletes with a very long
femur bone also. Graphics are basic and stark, black is
the only color and the frameset with fork and carbon seatpost
sell for a seemingly inexpensive $1200.00. The entire
project is reminiscent of something out of Area 54.
HED had a new aerodynamic, bladed carbon
fiber fork designed and made to go with the frameset.
It features an aerodynamic “dimple” like the
Cannondale Slice aerodynamic fork. This is an interesting
and attractive design. WE look forward to riding it.
The cable routing for both derailleurs passes
through the head tube for a more aerodynamic profile.
Threaded barrel adjusters for minor “on the fly”
gear adjustments are included. This design enables the
cables to “draft” neatly behind the head tube.
It will also force the cable housings up, out of the boundary
layer of air as they make their way back from the shifters
mounted at the tip of the aerobars. Weld quality looks
good but unremarkable. This bike is about function and
speed. It may not win many beauty contests.
A very deep wheel cutout is incorporated
into the seat tube. This is a very “Cerveloesque”
design element meant to make the rear wheel ride in the
draft of the seat tube and eliminate any trailing vortices.
The monostay, wishbone seat stay assembly is not only
aerodynamic looking but the carbon fiber material gives
a nod to ride comfort. Again. We can’t wait to ride
this bike. Bikesport Owner Tom Demerly ordered a size
small for testing but further production of any more frames
in uncertain so no delivery date has been specified. “This
is likely to be the only one we ever see” Said Demerly.
The seat cluster area is solid and innovative
with two forward facing binder bolts. The proprietary
carbon seatpost is very, very nice and fits smoothly in
the frame. Fit and function of all the frame elements
is very good. HED paid attention to functional details
when this bike was made. It is all go and no show based
on our first examination.
The chainstays are gigantic in the
vertical plan and nice looking too with no “Taiwan
dent” needed for chainring clearance. This is a
natural mate with an FSA Carbon Pro Team Issue crank and
their excellent new, lenticular solid chainrings. Notice
that the rear derailleur hanger is a production, off-the-shelf
replaceable model. There is also some provision for adjustment
in the front derailleur hanger for chainrings ranging
in size from 53 tooth up to a possible 55-tooth knee buster.
