How to get the most speed for the money?
06-09-08, 10:36 AM
#1
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How to get the most speed for the money?
I did my first time trial on Sunday, and had a blast.
I was thinking though, that I could realy benefit from some aero improvements. For right around $1000, should I consider getting an TT specific frame (LBS has a Lemond super cheap), or getting some aero wheels (thinking of Flashpoint 60 or 80s)? I am currently on a Pedalforce RS2 with Topolino C19s.
Thanks
I was thinking though, that I could realy benefit from some aero improvements. For right around $1000, should I consider getting an TT specific frame (LBS has a Lemond super cheap), or getting some aero wheels (thinking of Flashpoint 60 or 80s)? I am currently on a Pedalforce RS2 with Topolino C19s.
Thanks
06-09-08, 10:43 AM
#2
Making a kilometer blurry
This is telling...
Get a skinsuit first.
Get a skinsuit first.
I ripped this off of someone else who ripped it off of someone else who translated this month's issue of Tour magazine.
They put Uwe Peschel on a normal bike:
Needed Watts for Speed = 45 km/h :
Stevens San Remo bike with normal handlebar 465 Watts needed to go 45 km/h
Same bike Hands down the drops: 406 watts needed
Same bikeEaston Aeroforce bar: 369 Watts
Same bike Triathlon position (5.5 cm lower bar, saddle forwards): 360 Watts
Same bike Triathlon position (5.5 cm lower bar, saddle forwards) and
carbon Tri spoke wheels front and rear: 345 Watt
Cervelo + Tri spoke front 328 Watts
Cervelo + Tri spoke front + disk rear wheel : 320
Cervelo + Tri spoke front + disk rear wheel +Giro helmet: 317
Cervelo + Tri spoke front + disk rear wheel +Giro helmet + speed suit: 307
Cervelo + Tri spoke front + disk rear wheel +Giro helmet + speed suit +
saddle 3 cm further back: 293 Watts
From 465 to 293 watts... That's a lotta savings.
They put Uwe Peschel on a normal bike:
Needed Watts for Speed = 45 km/h :
Stevens San Remo bike with normal handlebar 465 Watts needed to go 45 km/h
Same bike Hands down the drops: 406 watts needed
Same bikeEaston Aeroforce bar: 369 Watts
Same bike Triathlon position (5.5 cm lower bar, saddle forwards): 360 Watts
Same bike Triathlon position (5.5 cm lower bar, saddle forwards) and
carbon Tri spoke wheels front and rear: 345 Watt
Cervelo + Tri spoke front 328 Watts
Cervelo + Tri spoke front + disk rear wheel : 320
Cervelo + Tri spoke front + disk rear wheel +Giro helmet: 317
Cervelo + Tri spoke front + disk rear wheel +Giro helmet + speed suit: 307
Cervelo + Tri spoke front + disk rear wheel +Giro helmet + speed suit +
saddle 3 cm further back: 293 Watts
From 465 to 293 watts... That's a lotta savings.
06-09-08, 10:48 AM
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Wasn't there an MIT windtunnel test that found that the biggest aerodynamic bang for the buck was an aero helmet?
06-09-08, 10:50 AM
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cheapest improvements will be the skin suit aero helmet and a good riding position. plus no gloves
you could always invest in better legs...
you could always invest in better legs...
06-09-08, 10:53 AM
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going roundy round
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I'm surprised, given the $1000 budget, WR didn't say "Get a skinsuit first, then a power tap with the other $900."
06-09-08, 11:05 AM
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06-09-08, 11:33 AM
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It looks like Aerobars are a big hitter. Getting properly fitted in a TT position is a biggie, too. The skinsuit and helmet would eat up the rest of the $1k.
Trispokes and discs work, but they're out of the range of the budget.
Trispokes and discs work, but they're out of the range of the budget.
06-09-08, 12:14 PM
#11
Making a kilometer blurry
I was assuming aero bars were already in the picture.
PowerTap... yeah that helped me shave a minute off my 8-mile TT time...
PowerTap... yeah that helped me shave a minute off my 8-mile TT time...
06-09-08, 12:34 PM
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pan y agua
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06-09-08, 02:34 PM
#15
Portland Fred
Isn't bus fare a buck to a buck and a half in most areas? That'll give you a very decent top speed considering the investment.
06-09-08, 03:02 PM
#16
Making a kilometer blurry
06-09-08, 03:31 PM
#17
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bang for buck, you can't beat stealing. Try that, it'll help with your sprint intervals too.
06-09-08, 06:21 PM
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06-09-08, 06:51 PM
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full size aero, not scott rakes or something like that if that's what you're talking about.
06-09-08, 08:20 PM
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Portland Fred
06-09-08, 08:29 PM
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most bang for the buck is a time trial position. This will involve aero bars (full length), lowering your bars quite a bit, and probably moving your seat forward. Find out if you can flip your seatpost forwards and if not, buy one that can.
I'm sure that there are many others out there, but check out cervelo's fit article: https://www.cervelo.com/content.aspx?...g&i=TriBikeFit
I'm sure that there are many others out there, but check out cervelo's fit article: https://www.cervelo.com/content.aspx?...g&i=TriBikeFit
06-10-08, 12:29 AM
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The only way to go faster is to train to go faster. Lots of work here. No bike will improve what your body is capable of. You can't buy speed! Even if you spent $1,000,000 on a bike. The engine is everything.
06-10-08, 12:32 AM
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Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about in this particular discussion, but I do have a question regarding moving the seat forward.
As I've tried to dial in the proper fit on my bike I've found that with the seat too far forward I have more difficulty lifting on the upstroke. With the seat back 'just enough', I'm able to put more force into lifting, while maintaining about an equal downstroke.
I haven't tested this scientifically, but going by feel, I do know that I feel myself better able to lift with the seat back more.
So what is the advantage to moving the seat forward so much that the seat post may even need to be flipped? How does this help?
As I've tried to dial in the proper fit on my bike I've found that with the seat too far forward I have more difficulty lifting on the upstroke. With the seat back 'just enough', I'm able to put more force into lifting, while maintaining about an equal downstroke.
I haven't tested this scientifically, but going by feel, I do know that I feel myself better able to lift with the seat back more.
So what is the advantage to moving the seat forward so much that the seat post may even need to be flipped? How does this help?