Swept back front wings versus cycle wings

[Scooby_snax]

Given a choice of the 'old style' swept back wings or the newer cycle wings which would you go for. I have heard that the swept back wings cause the front end to lift at higher speeds and thus making the steering light and creating understeer and there may also be a detriment to overall top speed.
On the plus side I think the swept back would give more protection from the muck that comes off the front wheels
Just trying to canvas views

[GFWilliams]

Scooby_snax said:

Given a choice of the 'old style' swept back wings or the newer cycle wings which would you go for. I have heard that the swept back wings cause the front end to lift at higher speeds and thus making the steering light and creating understeer and there may also be a detriment to overall top speed.
On the plus side I think the swept back would give more protection from the muck that comes off the front wheels
Just trying to canvas views

We've got cycle wings on our Caterham. In terms of muck, there is an option of getting longer cycle wings, or putting mud flaps on them which helps. The cycle wings are really good for placing the front wheels as you can see exactly where the wheels are and judge bends easily - not sure how the swept back wings compare.

I also prefer the looks of the cycle wings - the swept back wings look quite dated. They're not even a look back to the original L7 as that had cycle wings IIRC.

Remember that it's not easy to change them when you've already got the car as it would require new sideskins so make sure that you buy a car with the correct spec!

[bikemonster]

I've got clamshells on a Toyota powered Birkin S3.

Yes, there prolly is lift, and increased drag, but at around 180km/h on the longest straight that I race on I can't feel it in steering feel or in understeer. I have no prob placing the car, but I would imagine that cycle clams make it even easier, plus offer the added coolness of being able to see the suspension working.

The "clams cause lift" topic causes lots of discussion, and invariably ends with some people claiming that the lift is not detectable from the driver's seat while others have tales of cars driving along waggling their front wheels in the air.

I really like the look of the clams, and like them even more because they make the car look old-fashioned. For me, it adds to the fun that my car looks docile and old-fashioned but is really rather rude.

I've never driven a cycle winged car so I can't comment on the relative merits.

James

[Sam_68]

I've owned and driven Caterfields with both swept and cyclewings and I have to say that for regular road use I prefer the swept wings; they make a big difference in terms of the amount of much and water thrown up off the road, and I've never found lift to be a noticeable problem.

I personally find it regrettable that swept wings are so unfashionable, these days, but I can understand the choice if the car is being used heavily for track days, hillclimbing, or circuit racing.

[GetCarter]

I've owned both and prefer the cycle wings as you can see just where the wheels are headed. I've always liked the look of the swept wing though. (But not from the side).

[Noger]

When one of my wingstays broke, the clamshell didn't seem to lift even at highish speeds.

Still like the look. But heavy compared to a carbon cyclewing.

[Cock Womble 7]

Scooby_snax said:

I have heard that the swept back wings cause the front end to lift at higher speeds and thus making the steering light and creating understeer

Not that I've noticed (and, trust me, I would have noticed by now!)

Anyway, the front edge of the clams are bent over the tyre, presumably to avoid this?

Scooby_snax said:

and there may also be a detriment to overall top speed.

There may be, but I doubt it would be a huge difference. Besides, top speed isn't what the Caterham is all about now, is it?

bikemonster said:

I really like the look of the clams, and like them even more because they make the car look old-fashioned. For me, it adds to the fun that my car looks docile and old-fashioned but is really rather rude.

Exactly. "Ah, look at that cute old car. Hang on, where did it go?!?"


As for stones and general road debris, when I listen to the percussion section going off under the clamshells, I'm glad I've got them to stop all that stuff heading for my head!


And, anyway, why are they called "Clamshells" when they don't really look like clam shells?