Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
I'm just WOW. This discussion makes me want to buy a modern bike. Do we have a personal account from a BFer who bought a modern bike and found that it cut their times substantially on his or her favorite hilly 50 mile course? Thus eliminating the unknowns w/r to fueling or doping? I'm still riding my 2000 vintage Trek 5200, which I have really enjoyed and put a zillion miles on. Of course, it's a triple with GI from 128-31 and I use all of them. Our tandem, also a triple, has GI from 130 to 18. When one needs that much range, close spacing is important.
Personally - tested and verified using months of data on the exact same course... pancake flat bike, using a power meter. I have well over 500 rides on this path as data points.
I gained about 1-1.2 MPH when switching from chunky armadillo tires to GP5000's (about .75mph), then the rest with 40mm deep CF wheel upgrade. On a more modern bike to begin with, but not a full on aero bike - but semi aero. Set PB's at the same power levels over and over.
But...
I then bought a 2001 Lemond -bone stock except GP5000's- and blew all of those numbers out of the water. Then saw some marginal gains when I put 50mm deep wheels on it.
Why? Body position. The front end is stretched out a wee bit more and about 1.5" lower.
If I swapped out to a full new aero frame and kept the same body position/50mm wheels - I would only expect marginal gains, very marginal. Especially at the speeds/watts I ride at.