Homebrew01

Flat stage today. Lots of non-Aero wheels in the pack.

Nebby10

Heavy crosswinds are probably why they used low profile rims, I'm guessing.

BoSoxYacht

So aero wheels aren't great when dealing with crosswinds?

Most of the guys here claim it's no big deal

fuel0707

It is also becoming a cliche that when aero wheels get reviewed in the magazines that the writer usually states that the wheelset of the moment handles "predictably" and "easily" in crosswinds.

rpenmanparker 

It was a big enough deal for me that I sold mine. Of course I'm just a recreational rider. Just sayin'.

bikerjp

I think some buy them for bling but don't really ride them that much. They have their place but apparently today's stage isn't one of them.

BoSoxYacht

I know exactly what you are saying.

I had a pair of aero wheels, and they caused a wreck(from a heavy crosswind) that broke the top 3 vertebrae of my neck. Never again will I use a deep section front wheel.

rpeterson

I know a few pros who straight up don't believe in aerodynamics, there's still the ridiculous mindset that light and stiff is somehow superior and will let them power through the wind. They're pro cyclists, not engineers and researchers, don't read into their gear choices too much.

bbbean 

What would pros know, anyhow?

pavemen

They know enough to be pro and stay pro. Do you get paid to ride?

Bandera

The World Tour teams are extremely experienced professionals who select the proper equipment for each and every stage depending on the course profile and the weather conditions. Gearing, wheel design and tire choices can change daily, 'pave bikes substitute for road bikes where necessary.
The Belgian teams Belkin & Omega in particular are specialists in today's conditions and will use what gear works best, which is not deep profile wheels for riding in echelon in big cross winds. This is not their 1st rodeo.

Experienced pro cyclists have personal preferences but they are supported by engineers, technicians and savvy directors who reach into the well of the sponsor's gear to properly equip the rider to ride, that's what they get paid for not their research ability.

-Bandera

BoSoxYacht

real world vs. the laboratory

If you ride in a wind tunnel, test results mean everything

thump55

ftfy.

Nebby10

I think the varied opinions probably come from the different areas people live in, combined with people's personal sensitivity to the force needed to counter the crosswind steering. Personally speaking, I ride in the mountains fairly often so I've stuck with shallow depth carbon wheels. Wind gusts in the valleys are no joke.

BoSoxYacht

How do you about Katrina?

goenrdoug

I'm curious as to why that appropriate gear doesn't include at least some thin layer of foam or kevlar or some-such sewn into the side of the shorts where so many riders seem to fall and skid and end up with huge road rash?

I do understand that it would add a tiny bit of weight and potentially be somewhat uncomfortable on a 100+ mile ride each day, but to have a small measure of protection on your hip on a raining-cobblestone stage seems only prudent.

For that matter, why not some small shoulder padding to try to brace the collarbone?

I'm not advocating full American Football-style gear, but these guys are out there in skin suits and going 30-50 mph...

hamster

I've been wondering about that too. But we're talking about guys many of whom refused to wear helmets before it was mandated by UCI in '03(?). They are too macho for kevlar.

TrojanHorse

No kidding... especially on rainy days with slick cobbles! Crazy. And painful. Landing on your bare hip going 30 mph+.... ouch.

I'm not sure pads would help your collar bone; I think the force of landing on your arm or shoulder is breaking it, not something actually hitting the collarbone.

Bandera

A totally different stage than today's stage 6.
Different conditions (the cobbles of Northern France) and therefore very different equipment.
Note that the Pave' bikes of stage 5 & their specialized equipment were totally absent from stage 6, as was the mountain equipment we'll see trotted out in the Pyrenees & Alps.

Modern Pour Tour teams have the ability to replace & modify gear daily to achieve the old maxim: "horses for courses".


-Bandera

mike12

How deep where the wheels you had on when you got those injuries & where were you at?

Darth Steele

from what I see a lot of guys are running the Shimano Dura Ace c50 rims. 50 mm is more than enough for all around terrains.

Shimano gave the spokes a "fade" paint to stay one step ahead of the Chinese clones.

I <3 Robots

Looks like plenty of aero wheels to me?

Tour de France 2014 Gallery | Cyclingnews.com

Dunbar

I think the OP was pointing out that on a flat stage aero matters more than weight and yet quite a few riders chose to ride shallow wheels. Even deeper tubular CF rims can still be pretty light. And lets not forget the UCI minimum weight restriction makes much of the weight weenie stuff irrelevant in the TDF.

I <3 Robots

It all comes down to the riders and what their purpose is. If you look at a GC guy like Contador...you'd be hard bent to see him on anything above a 303...even on a flat stage. Froome...he rode a staggered set (1-4) with a shallow profile wheel in the front. Majority of GC riders will be on shallower wheels. The sprinters and the guys that work up front...there is a good chance they will be on the 50mm+ wheels.

Again...a cobble stage like 5 or even Paris Roubaix used to be run on box section aluminum rims...and now...they are being won on deep carbon wheels. When it comes to riding at the speed pros ride at...especially at the front or solo...aero does matter.

Wheels can get too deep even for pros. I remember seeing a BTP episode where Thor Hushovd had to swap out his 80mm front wheel to a 40mm because it was "too much wheel". Man...you know that if its too much for him...it really is too much.

asgelle

Best satirical post I've seen in a long time. Have you ever spoken to a pro or even high level amateur about equipment and engineering. It's clear the reason they're successful is they have unbelievable aerobic abilities, not analytic skills. Read some of Damon Rinard's or Josh Portner's experience with riders, mechanics, and directors and you'll quickly see what I mean.