Originally Posted by
qmsdc15
The reason you don't see handlebar configurations like Adelaar's in UCI sanctioned mass start road races is because they are not permitted. You see handlebars similar to what he uses in time trials, triathlons, and other events where they are allowed.
I'm not sure why you think his bike is so ill-suited to fast riding. It seems to go pretty good.
It does indeed go pretty good
I just returned from riding my typical 10km track and beat my best speed .... 39,2 km/h!
yay!
This time I'm pretty sure there was no wind either.
Next stop: 40!
Many people feel that the bike is very important when it comes to speed but that isn't the case. It matters ofcourse but not as much as people perceive.
If you look at the frontal area and aerodynamic profile of a 170 pound guy on a bike ... what is the ratio of aero importance? 10% bike? probably less?
So that means that if you upgrade your bike to be 30% more aero (and spend thousands on it) ... you actually gained only 3% total aero.
My bike is pretty aero for a cross hybrid ... the tubing is oval shaped, the aerobar helps and the wheels are fulcrum racing 5 which are pretty nice and light (for their price) and have aero spokes.
The weight of the bike isn't vitally important when timetrailing either since the speed remains relatively constant.
The only thing on my bike that is too unaero is my suspension fork.
What you need to go fast is big lungs
My bike suits me fine ... it takes me through forests with the crosstyres and the suspensions and it takes me near 40km/h with the racewheels. I'm very content with how it turned out.
for timetrail training this bike is good enough for now ... if I ever were to attend an actual timetrail race I can always upgrade to a nice TT-bike