"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - What kind of TT bike is Levi riding?

It doesn't look like the Specialized TT bike... (different top tube)

http://www.velonews.com/images/int/8176.11372.f.jpg

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/jun05/dauphinelibere05/stage3/cycling-dauphinelibere--71.jpg

prologue:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/jun05/dauphinelibere05/stage0/cycling-dauphinelibere--71.jpg

ed073 commented on another thread that 'The bike is an Andy Walser carbon. He's made TT frames for Ulrich and Michael Rich in the past'

It certainly looks like a Walser.

Interestingly, one of my coaches is always preaching a flat back, but as I look at the better time trialists, it seems that a rounded (aerfoil like) back it the way to go. I have to reasses my positiion on the bike.

Interestingly, one of my coaches is always preaching a flat back, but as I look at the better time trialists, it seems that a rounded (aerfoil like) back it the way to go. I have to reasses my positiion on the bike.

I'd be more inclined to reassess whether I'd ride time trials. :D

Interestingly, one of my coaches is always preaching a flat back, but as I look at the better time trialists, it seems that a rounded (aerfoil like) back it the way to go. I have to reasses my positiion on the bike.
I still think that flat bask is the best. I think I remember reading somewhere about how lance was saying or someone was commenting on lances chances at the hour record, and if he could get his back as flat as Chris Boardman, then given the talent lance has, in theory, he would be able to set an amazing time. I think that’s how it went. So I think the hump/flat back is more anatomical than anything.

Boardman during his hour breaking ride:
http://www.fatnick.com/hour38.jpg

TT prodigy, Thomas Dekker:
http://www.ottie.nl/Thomas_Dekker_tijdrit_Veendam01.jpg

Indurain:
http://indu.galeon.com/indu2.jpg

some arnt as flat as Levi or Dekker, but compare it to lance from this most recent TT:

http://www.grahamwatson.com/2005/dauphine/cover.jpg

Whatever works i guess!

A lot of guys could get flatter, but then they aren't able to breathe as well, You have to find the fastest balance between drag and the ability to produce the watts.

I'd be more inclined to reassess whether I'd ride time trials. :D

I love TT's, and am scheduled to do about a dozen of them in the months of October and November. I am chomping at the bit, and cannot wait to feel that marvelous pain again! :D

Levi and Lance both have very rounded backs, and they sure have success. It makes sense from the perspective of physics, because when the back is shaped like an airfoil, I would think one would cut through the air better the faster you go. They always stress forward pelvic tilt to me which encourages a flatter back.

Lance's back is so weird because of some accident he had as a child - or he was born that way, I don't remember. But he does not have a normal back.

Levi and Lance both have very rounded backs, and they sure have success. It makes sense from the perspective of physics, because when the back is shaped like an airfoil, I would think one would cut through the air better the faster you go. They always stress forward pelvic tilt to me which encourages a flatter back.

I read in Lance/Carmichaels book that Lance apparently has a fracture in some bone in his lower back which prevents him from getting a flat back position... I will go home and give exact details if someone needs it...

Lance's back is so weird because of some accident he had as a child - or he was born that way, I don't remember. But he does not have a normal back.

It gives me an idea for a new product. I shall call it "LanceBack." You wear it under your jersey, and it straps around your chest. It gives you the exact shape of Lance's back for time trialing. I'll be rich!

yeah, lance fractured some vertebrae a while ago, so he has to bend over at a higher point on his back, thus the shape of his back. also, related to this, lance's aero testing found that lower/flatter doesnt make you more aero, but rather width, (with directional respect to shoulder to shoulder). basically, if you sit high like lance, but are flatter from left to right on the bike, you are able to cut through the wind. i probably confused everyone trying to figure out what im talkin about, but i forget how it was worded in the book

A lot of guys could get flatter, but then they aren't able to breathe as well, You have to find the fastest balance between drag and the ability to produce the watts.


Correct.

Boardman and Peter Keen realised this in the early 90s.

Obvioulsy the lower and flatter you go, the less frontal area you present to the wind. But soon enough, you won't be able to breathe or see!!

Didn't Lance have a special TT helmet before the new crash rules took effect? I remember David Millar having one too.

Didn't Lance have a special TT helmet before the new crash rules took effect? I remember David Millar having one too.


Yes.

Both riders were sponsored by Giro.

looks like you guys are right.

nice bikes:

http://walser-cycles.ch/BilderCycles/andreas-Walser96.jpg

looks like you guys are right.

nice bikes:

http://walser-cycles.ch/BilderCycles/andreas-Walser96.jpg



Mmmmm....tasty.

can someone enlighten me as to the point of the the indention on the bottom of the seat tube above the BB?

It looks like Levi's frame has the Specialized zertz inserts on the seatstays. Hard to tell...

looks like a little recess for the front derailluer to hide in when he's on the inner chain ring. A lot of these TT bikes have a very low Q factor, or narrow BB to be more aerodynamic. The Chain rings are probably very close to the seat tube for Aerodynamics.


Anyone have a head-on shot of this bike?

SKY....

I have to agree and say that the rounded back is better aerodynamically. I read that Bobby Julich will often wear a filled Camelback under his jersey to give himself an artificial hump. Have you thought of doing something like that?

Also....I'd love to give those O-Symetric chain rings a trial run.

sky.....

here's a photo of Bobby J doing a time trial. It is obvious in the photo that he has a Camelback under the jersey....and it aint there for hydration.

http://www.bobbyjulich.com/julich/photos/view.asp?image=122

sky.....

here's a photo of Bobby J doing a time trial. It is obvious in the photo that he has a Camelback under the jersey....and it aint there for hydration.

http://www.bobbyjulich.com/julich/photos/view.asp?image=122

Bobby always uses on for TT's. Numerous pics on CSC's site shows him in TT's and TTT's with the tell tale blue spigot (sp?) around his shoulders.

Actually it is there for hydration. On the camelback site they have information and pictures about it.

http://www.camelbak.com/rec/news.cfm
"Julich to assist company’s R&D and Promotional Efforts in the Cycling Category "

" In both the 2004 Tour de France and Olympics time trials, Julich wore CamelBak’s RaceVest™ under his skin suit with the hose and bite valve punched through the skin suit. Julich explains, “Anything that causes you to sit up, out of your most aerodynamic position, could cost you the race. Being able to simply sip from the hose, situated just under my chin, keeps me in the most efficient position, and not to mention keeps me hydrated and energized to ride my best.”

http://www.camelbak.com/s_images/bobbyjulich2.jpg that is an image of Julich with the spigot poking out the front of his jersey.

Didn't Lance's early Trek TT frames have a built in bladder with a little hosepipe sticking up too??

you mean the ones made by litespeed?

you mean the ones made by litespeed?


nah the carbon ones from a few seasons back.....sure I read it somewhere.

I think I remember that too, was it in the downtube?

I think I remember that too, was it in the downtube?


Yep....I did a quick search and ripped this off the treknology.com site...


The next challenge to consider was the airflow from the front of the bike over the frame. Trek first reduced the frontal area of the frame. Tube shapes and their junctures were then blended to reduce the coefficient of drag, serving a similar purpose to the dimples on a golf ball. The original prototype also featured a single-bladed front fork, but the design didn't pass the regulations of the UCI, cycling's governing body. The HC, or honeycomb material, is positioned in the head lug, bottom bracket and the seat tube/top tube junction to cut weight and add stiffness. The final weight of the frame is three and a half pounds, over a half pound lighter than last year's.

The final obstacle was overcome in the form of a revolutionary hydration system. The trick was to find a way for Armstrong to drink without the drag increase resulting from reaching down for a water bottle. To keep him in the same aero position, Trek installed a water bladder into the downtube via the headset that could be accessed by a tube protruding through a hole in the head lug.

Final wind tunnel testing of the OCLV-HC TT frame proved that the aero shape alone could save 10 to 15 seconds in a 40-kilometer time trial over last year's bike. If Armstrong uses the hydration system, he could knock off another 10 seconds. Simply put, Armstrong will post faster time trial times this year without having to work harder. And when the American inspiration once again rides into Paris with the Stars and Stripes draped over his shoulder, a small part of that victory will be owned by a Wisconsin bicycle company.

is lance ridin a brooks in that pic up there

is lance ridin a brooks in that pic up there


Doubtful.

Selle San Marco Concor is LA's weapon of choice, I believe.


Someone correct me if not.

Julich's camelbak, being there for hydration or not, looks like it would delay the turbulence effect as the airflow goes over his back, thereby making him go forward at a higher speed.

Julich's camelbak, being there for hydration or not, looks like it would delay the turbulence effect as the airflow goes over his back, thereby making him go forward at a higher speed.



A la MotoGP?