Originally Posted by
rugbyant
Damn... a man of logic. My wife will love you :-)
I agree with all of that. Average speed is around 28kph for the 90km distance. I would like to get to +35kph. I don't tend to ride in aero position, and did not go for tri bars added to bike - this is mainly due to not being comfortable in a tucked position (fitness and flexibility).
I did suffer with 10 spd rear not having enough to spin on the large climb, but it was only 1 climb I struggled with - rest of the ride I had enough with the 2 x 10spd. The last tri, I did end up with numbness in my left hand, and have not have a full bike fit, bit have had a bike measure.
I wanted to go for a new bike, because, I wanted to upgrade, have 11 spd, and have a shiny new toy. But, now the question should be, do I need to do it now. I guess get better on what I have and then move on.
In 2014 at age 64 during my 2nd Ironman Florida in the 112 mile bike section the use of bolt on tri-bars on my Giant Propel allowed me to ride the distance non-stop. Just 2 weeks ago I rode a local 151 miles with the first 100 completed with only one stop around the 72 mile mark. That ride was on my 2018 Roubaix Expert mechanical with bolt on tri-bars.
Getting used to them was not an issue with me since at that time some 10-15 year's ago I had severe shoulder issues and needed the relaxed position for longer rides.