Body Rocket Launches On-Bike Sensor for Real-Time Aero Testing

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Body Rocket has launched the first real-world, on-bike aero sensor.

The upstart Brit business recently hit its crowdfunding target and is taking pre-orders for a system that directly measures drag force to provide real-time aero measurements.

The launch could be a big deal for performance at both pro and amateur levels.

In theory, using a Body Rocket system bypasses the need for wind tunnel testing.

Sessions at these specialist facilities can bring gargantuan efficiency gains but come at a bank-crushing cost. They’re a luxury option for only the select few.

Body Rocket hopes its system will bring aero testing to the masses.

“This is a significant moment, both for Body Rocket and for me personally,” Body Rocket founder Eric DeGolier said of his successful Kickstarter campaign.

“We set out on a mission to make aerodynamics more accessible to all cyclists and triathletes,” DeGolier said. “I’m pleased to say that we have achieved that and can’t wait to start manufacturing and shipping.”

Body Rocket isn’t the first bike-mounted aero-monitoring gadget, but it might be the most sophisticated.

Rival systems like Aerosensor and VeloComp start with power measurements and calculate drag figures by estimating drivetrain losses and rolling resistances.

Body Rocket takes the direct approach.

The system comprises sensors at the handlebar, seatpost, and in the brand’s custom power pedals. Completed by the brand’s out-front air-speed sensor, the whole system provides direct force drag measurement.

The data is collected, aggregated, and delivered in real-time to a Garmin head unit and Body Rocket’s A.I.-powered app. The app’s BRIAN (“Body Rocket Individualised A.I. Network”) software helps users optimize their equipment and tweak their position.

“This system of sensors provides actionable insights, transforming a typical road ride into an easy-to-follow wind tunnel session without impacting training,” Body Rocket promises.

Is Body Rocket a potential wind tunnel killer?

Aerodynamic testing in a wind tunnel has always come with the question mark of how well the findings would translate onto the tarmac.

Body Rocket is hoping the system’s ability to measure drag on the open road will make aero testing more relevant, and available to all.

The ambitious Brit startup is so confident it recently tested the system’s accuracy against a wind tunnel.

The published results hint at Body Rocket’s game-changing potential.

“On average, the Body Rocket system agrees within 2.3 percent with the wind tunnel data, under different wind speed, yaw angles, and body positions, and reliably detects aerodynamics gains due to positional/equipment changes,” read the conclusion of the study.

“As a byproduct of its design, it also enables monitoring of cycling positions, providing valuable feedback otherwise not available to the athlete.”

A wave of intrigue rippled through cycling’s community of aero aficionados when Body Rocket first began work on its project.

The brand’s successful Kickstarter campaign, and its partnerships with former WorldTour TT specialist Alex Dowsett and Ironman triathlon pioneers Olav Aleksandr Bu and Kristian Blummenfelt have turned the intrigue into full-scale hype.

Body Rocket is hoping its system will make aero optimization as commonplace as power testing.

But Body Rocket doesn’t come cheap.

Sure, it’s not as eye-wateringly expensive as a trip to the wind tunnel, but the pre-order price tag of £2,950 ($3,840 USD) means it’s only for the cash-rich performance-minded.

Another big barrier? The system is also currently only compatible with time trial and triathlon bikes.

There’s been little mention of a mass-market road bike version, though Blummenfelt has been using a trial version on his Giant Propel road machine.

That said, Body Rocket is still in its infancy and was calling for a mere £22,000 ($28,600 USD) for its launch.

If the pre-release proves successful and the business grows bigger, the potential could be huge.

“By integrating Body Rocket into your training, you’re not just measuring aero; you’re mastering it,” reads the blurb on the brand’s website. “Each ride becomes a data-driven journey to faster, more efficient cycling. It empowers you to break personal records and redefine your limits.”

You can find out more info at the Body Rocket website.