"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Christmas money time trial bike upgrade quandry

There is enough money in the pot for one of two upgrades for my time trial bike.

1. Easton Attack TT bars (and adapter for my brake levers)
or
2. Flash-point 82mm front wheel

My bike is set up as follows:
http://bryanlh.blogspot.com/2007/05/pictures-from-last-time-trial.html
Orbea Crono frame, circa 2004
Ouzo Aero fork
808/Powertap rear
HED Alps front (which would be switched to my road bike permanently if I get the wheel)
VisionTech base bar
VisionTech brake levers
Profile Design T2 clip ons
Ultegra 9 speed
FSA solid chainring

If you were to choose, which would it be? I would really like to have an 808 on the front, but that won't happen.

The wheel seems like it would be the best bang for your buck in terms of buying speed.

If you were to choose, which would it be? I would really like to have an 808 on the front, but that won't happen.


My first thought was, if the bars put you in a more aero position then go with the bars. If not, get the wheel.

I didn't even know that they had an 82 mm wheel out. Anyways, go with the wheel. Changing the bars won't make you significantly faster.

I'm not sure there's that much difference between the Alps (which is what? like 50mm??) and an 82mm front.

I'm not familiar with those bars, but they might actually be a fair bit more aero than your existing bars.

Looking at your pics, I tend to doubt you're going to be any more aero with the new bars than you can be with the existing bars on your bike. The advantage to the eAston Bars would appear to be weight savings, which is going to make very little differnece on most TT courses.

Going from 50mm deep to 82mm deep on the front wheel however will make a difference. If you look at the data the 808 or the HED Tri spoke are the most aero front wheels, and are considerably more aero than a Zipp 404. (with the 404 being a little more aero than your current wheel, and the 82 mm flashpoint, although dimpleless, approaching the 808.)

Hence I'd get the wheel.

Edit: not the link I was looking for, but it will give you an idea: http://www.zipp.com/portals/0/technology/documents/aerowheelcomparison.pdf

As a competitor, I say change nothing.As a friend, I say the FP wheel. Although, not knowing FP or used Zipp pricing, can you get a used 808 front for anywhere close to a FP80? Also know that a front wheel with no dimples counteracts the rear with dimples, actually making you slower at speeds below 42mph.

Also know that a front wheel with no dimples counteracts the rear with dimples, actually making you slower at speeds below 42mph.


Source? Because we all know I won't be time trialling over 42 mph!

Since you are the wheel man, hook me up with a clincher 808 front! :D Note: Don't snark or hate on the clincher.... :p

Give me a bit. PM or email me with your budget.

Get a Nimble Fly or whatever it is. three spoke, it's like $700 though. All carbon, and it's Uber aero. I've raced one and really like it. El Diablo has one too.

Get a trispoke.

I'd say neither. Your bike looks pretty good to me already. The wheel might save you a small amount in the narrow situation where there's a significant crosswind (no crosswind = little to zero improvement from deeper rims) but not so significant that the 82mm depth produces handling issues. The bars seem like a wash.

I'd put the money into hiring a coach who can work you through doing field CdA testing. I think Ron Ruff does this but I'm not sure. Or learn to do it yourself (check out Alex Simmons' spreadsheet).

Other little things: replace your bottle with a Speedbottle. Maybe new tires, depending on what you have (you didn't say).

Donate money to Greenville so they can re-pave their roads.