Originally Posted by terrymorse
Why do people make comments like that? Ignorance, I guess.
Weight has the same effect on every rider in an uphill TT. Reduce your weight by 1%, and you get nearly a 1% increase in speed. That's true, whether you're a weekend warrior or a Cat 1. Physics.
Not an ignorant statement at all, he's completely right.
First, whats important is the combined weight of the bike and rider. There is no way you are going to get anywhere near 1% reduction in combined weight with a light set of wheels, absolutely impossible. And, unless the person is absolutely at his leanest, he can easily shed 10 times the weight savings of expensive wheels in body weight in preparing for an event. Physics and physiology.
Second, there are so many variables in a race that completely dwarf the infinitesmally tiny weight reduction advantage that light wheels give you. Get the wrong gear for 10 seconds, catch a gust of wind that someone else doesn't, and thats it, you blew any weight savings advantage from expensive wheels.
So advising the OP not to waste money on bling wheels is very good advice.