NEW Colnago TT2 and Scope Artech: The Aerodynamic Evolution - Technical Review
Technical analysis of the Scope Artech wheels fitted to the Colnago TT2: innovations in AEA, Aeroscales, 3D-printed hubs, and advanced aerodynamics for peak time-trial performance.
The high-performance cycling industry is currently undergoing a profound engineering transformation. The combination of Colnago time-trial (TT) frames and the Scope Artech wheel system represents the pinnacle of integration between computational aerodynamics and additive manufacturing. The synergy between these two components aims not only for weight reduction but for the management of airflow in real-world racing conditions, a parameter often underestimated in static testing.
The Heart of the System: Algorithms and Aerodynamics
The Scope Artech series does not originate from simple physical prototypes, but from the implementation of AEA (Algorithm Enhanced Aerodynamics) technology. Unlike conventional design processes, Scope’s algorithm simulates the entire bicycle-wheel-component ecosystem, allowing for the definition of the rim profile with precision down to the tenth of a millimeter.
Integration with a Colnago TT frame, characterized by taut geometries and maximum integration, benefits directly from this approach. The objective is to minimize aerodynamic drag across a wide spectrum of yaw angles, ensuring stability even in the presence of crosswinds.
Material Innovation: Aeroscales and 3D Printing
One of the aspects that distinguishes the Artech series is the application of Aeroscales technology. Inspired by the biomechanics of fish scales, this surface texture is designed to induce controlled turbulence that stabilizes airflow over the rim profile, drastically reducing aerodynamic drag.
Simultaneously, the construction of the hubs marks a technological leap:
3D-printed hub shells: Engineered to optimize weight and structural rigidity.
Advanced geometry: Designed to minimize frontal area and mechanical friction.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The Scope Artech wheels (available in various profile variants, including the renowned 65mm version 6) integrate perfectly into the Colnago TT system thanks to a series of shared design choices:
Characteristic Artech Specifications
Internal Rim Width 23 mm (Hooked, optimized for 28 mm tires)
Spokes Carbonlite Aerospokes (UD Carbon)
Set Weight (mod. 6) 1244 grams
Bearings SKF (CeramicSpeed option)
Compatibility Tubeless and Clincher
The choice of a 23 mm internal channel reflects current research standards: a larger air volume reduces rolling resistance and increases comfort, critical elements when the duration of the event and the ability to maintain an aerodynamic position are determining factors.
Considerations on Systematic Integration
For an athlete aiming for the top, the choice to pair a Colnago TT with a set of Scope Artech wheels goes beyond aesthetics. The frame provides the platform of rigidity, while the wheels intervene in fluid dynamics and rotational mass. The use of carbon spokes (Carbonlite Aerospokes) and a carbon layup optimized via Local Reinforcement technology — which concentrates material only where necessary, specifically around the spoke holes — ensures that the torsional response of the wheel is extremely high, favoring the transfer of every watt applied to the pedals.
In conclusion, the Scope Artech system represents one of the most significant evolutions for those seeking absolute efficiency on the road. The adoption of calculation methodologies derived from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the selection of advanced materials allow these wheels to redefine the concept of performance, offering stability in variable conditions and a tangible competitive advantage in high-level racing.