Aerodynamics: Our Philosophy

The key question we ask at Falcon Pursuit is: "What are we making fast?"

Do we want fast components or fast times for the competitive athlete?


At Falcon Pursuit, we look at the athlete and the equipment as a system. In contrast to some manufactures, we believe that the system needs to be optimized, not a single component.

To optimize the system as a whole, we follow five fundamental principles:

  • A System is a Rider + Equipment

    Think of a Formula 1 car; it consists of four tires, front/rear wings, the chassis and a driver. A Formula 1 engineer is focused on creating a fast and reliable system. The engineer knows that each component interacts with and shapes the environment that the next component interacts with. We follow a similar thought process… If you look at a cyclist riding down the road, his or her system (Rider + Equipment) is interacting with air before it is reaching the system. This is what we refer to as Vortex Boundary Layer Induction.

    A common misconception is that the combination of the individually fastest: wheel, bike and helmet will result in a linear drag reduction for the athlete (i.e. enhance the athlete's performance). In reality, if the pieces are not optimized to work together as a system, they can hamper the athlete's performance.

    Thus, when you look at making a system fast, you need to look beyond any individual components benefits. The question now becomes, "How can I shape the air before it reaches the system, and what effect do I want that air shape to have on the system?"

  • A System is Dynamically Optimized

    In the real world, a system is dynamic. To optimize and evaluate a system, Falcon Pursuit has developed tools to dynamically model and simulate in the virtual world. The Athlete-Avatar™ provides a proprietary tool that allows for dynamic CFD to be performed… Blending real world techniques with computational precision.

  • A System needs to be Optimized for a Specific Venue Dynamic

    We know that one size does not fit all. To achieve the best results, an athlete must optimize his or her system for each competition environment. As discussed in Venue Dynamics, the environment plays a significant role in deciding what is "fast" and what is not. A significant opportunity exists to achieve a substantial competitive advantage. How? By exploiting the benefits of Venue Dynamics.

  • The Athlete Must be Involved in the Journey

    When optimizing a system, it is crucial to have the athlete involved. When fighting for a 1% competitive advantage, the athlete needs to feel 100% confident in the process, methodology and team. When an athlete is involved in the development process, recommendations are supported, techniques altered and victories achieved.

  • Evolve and Improve

    Our fifth principle is to continually improve, refine and advance our techniques and technology to supply the athlete with the most sophisticated tools to lower times and realize success.