tibikefor2
09-04-07, 08:32 AM
Does anyone use aero wheels for their ultra events? If so which type? I am curious, as I am thinking about getting back into ultra racing next year. Thanks.
Long Distance Cycling - Aero Wheels
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spokenword
09-04-07, 09:21 AM
Does anyone use aero wheels for their ultra events? If so which type? I am curious, as I am thinking about getting back into ultra racing next year. Thanks.
A friend of mine started the 2007 brevet season on a 2005 Cannondale R900 with Gipiemme Grecal Parade wheels with bladed spokes. He made great use of them but had to bail after our 400 due to ITB issues.
In general, for supported ultra events, they sound worthwhile, as unless you've already got a group of folks that are totally in sync with riding styles, a fair amount of ultracycling is done without the benefit of pacelining. So, harvesting every aero benefit for solo efforts makes sense.
However, for brevets and randonneuring, the lack of support means that everything on your bike should be completely reliable and/or field serviceable, and this tends to encourage folks to stay with traditional wheelsets that can, if need be, take an emergency spoke. Being able to ride 280k in 11 hours is nice, but not if you DNF because you lost a spoke on the last 20k.
A friend of mine started the 2007 brevet season on a 2005 Cannondale R900 with Gipiemme Grecal Parade wheels with bladed spokes. He made great use of them but had to bail after our 400 due to ITB issues.
In general, for supported ultra events, they sound worthwhile, as unless you've already got a group of folks that are totally in sync with riding styles, a fair amount of ultracycling is done without the benefit of pacelining. So, harvesting every aero benefit for solo efforts makes sense.
However, for brevets and randonneuring, the lack of support means that everything on your bike should be completely reliable and/or field serviceable, and this tends to encourage folks to stay with traditional wheelsets that can, if need be, take an emergency spoke. Being able to ride 280k in 11 hours is nice, but not if you DNF because you lost a spoke on the last 20k.
tibikefor2
09-04-07, 04:02 PM
I would be supported for the 24 hour time trials, as I would have an extra bike and extra wheels.
PlanetU
09-04-07, 05:43 PM
Does anyone use aero wheels for their ultra events? If so which type? I am curious, as I am thinking about getting back into ultra racing next year. Thanks.
With all due respect for aero wheels, our experience as event organizers, is that more riders DNF due to problems with fancy wheels than for any other mechanical (or other) reason. Most of these types of wheels cannot be fixed out on the road; and the chances are pretty slim that a SAG driver with a spare wheel will be available just when and where you need it. IF you have a problem, you'll lose more time (or DNF) than you'd save if you were just using ordinary wheels.
;-)
With all due respect for aero wheels, our experience as event organizers, is that more riders DNF due to problems with fancy wheels than for any other mechanical (or other) reason. Most of these types of wheels cannot be fixed out on the road; and the chances are pretty slim that a SAG driver with a spare wheel will be available just when and where you need it. IF you have a problem, you'll lose more time (or DNF) than you'd save if you were just using ordinary wheels.
;-)
tibikefor2
09-04-07, 06:22 PM
With all due respect for aero wheels, our experience as event organizers
What event do you organize?
What event do you organize?
WhiteCarbonDude
09-04-07, 06:39 PM
What event do you organize?
They do many centuries, double centuries and multi day tours (http://www.planetultra.com/index.html). This year they are doing an Ultra race the HooDoo 500 (http://www.planetultra.com/Hoodoo500/index.htm)
They do many centuries, double centuries and multi day tours (http://www.planetultra.com/index.html). This year they are doing an Ultra race the HooDoo 500 (http://www.planetultra.com/Hoodoo500/index.htm)
sch
09-04-07, 09:59 PM
Aero wheels are of value only if you consistently average above 20mph, and don't add
a whole lot until you get above 24mph or so. There is no strict cutoff here, but the
benefits are minimal below 20mph. You could argue you go, whatever (insert 25-35-50mph etc),
at least some of the time, but really you need to look at overall averages not instantaneous speeds.
Aero rims tend to be very strong if alloy construction, a bit heavy, and difficult to
retrue if a spoke breaks, as others have pointed out.
a whole lot until you get above 24mph or so. There is no strict cutoff here, but the
benefits are minimal below 20mph. You could argue you go, whatever (insert 25-35-50mph etc),
at least some of the time, but really you need to look at overall averages not instantaneous speeds.
Aero rims tend to be very strong if alloy construction, a bit heavy, and difficult to
retrue if a spoke breaks, as others have pointed out.