Steel - a little harder to get up the mountain ...
04-19-17, 10:07 AM
#1
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Steel - a little harder to get up the mountain ...
- but sure pays off coming back down!
I wrestled the Merckx Century up the local big climb, Thunder Ridge, a couple of days ago. I felt like I came down the mountain faster than normal, even though the legs were pretty tired. I downloaded the Garmin file today and found a new PR for the descent 23:59 for a 32.5 average over 13 miles! Previous PR was 24:06 on the fancy bike with carbon wheels. Mavic SUP's on Chorus hubs on the Merckx.
I'm in the process of uploading a youtube video of the first part and end of the descent for those interested in seeing how the mountain looks and how fast that Merck will go! (43 mph was the fastest this time)
I wrestled the Merckx Century up the local big climb, Thunder Ridge, a couple of days ago. I felt like I came down the mountain faster than normal, even though the legs were pretty tired. I downloaded the Garmin file today and found a new PR for the descent 23:59 for a 32.5 average over 13 miles! Previous PR was 24:06 on the fancy bike with carbon wheels. Mavic SUP's on Chorus hubs on the Merckx.
I'm in the process of uploading a youtube video of the first part and end of the descent for those interested in seeing how the mountain looks and how fast that Merck will go! (43 mph was the fastest this time)
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
04-19-17, 12:05 PM
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My guess is that aero aspects were more at play then the frame material. The longer one keeps at a higher speed the greater any aero drag reduction becomes.
But it's not against my preferences to place joking blame on steel in this case
Andy.
But it's not against my preferences to place joking blame on steel in this case
Andy.
04-19-17, 12:25 PM
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On the ascent is some of the difference possibly down to gear ratio differences between the 2 bikes. I'd be interested in seeing the times.
I have a PB of 9.59 on one 2 mile climb I used to do routinely on a carbon bike. Nearly spewed at the end of it.
A week later I did it on a steel bike in 10.20 and I wasn't trying quite as hard. So not much difference in my experience.
The biggest benefit I find is in being able to keep the speed higher over rolling terrain. Carbon bike doesn't slow as quickly.
I have a PB of 9.59 on one 2 mile climb I used to do routinely on a carbon bike. Nearly spewed at the end of it.
A week later I did it on a steel bike in 10.20 and I wasn't trying quite as hard. So not much difference in my experience.
The biggest benefit I find is in being able to keep the speed higher over rolling terrain. Carbon bike doesn't slow as quickly.
04-19-17, 12:35 PM
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Maybe for racers, and maybe on long descents with no curves. In my personal experience, aerodynamics has nothing to do with how fast I descend. I'm usually sitting up and feathering the brakes looking for the best line into the next turn. A good stiff frame and nice tires really help with the confidence though.
04-19-17, 12:59 PM
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My 2 closest times to this one were on my old race bike , Wilier aluminum frame with Zipp 303's (unfortunately couldn't afford the Zipps when I raced!) 53-39 crank which has always been my go-to go fast bike. Colnago E1 which is a little lighter, but more upright position was a few seconds behind that. The Merckx is a 53-39 crank. I did have a bit of tailwind, not the prevalent wind up there, but had tailwinds before. That was my third day in a row riding, not in good shape due to recent work schedule, flu, followed by a vacation, so wasn't expecting much. I was somewhat motivated, though, in that I thought it was going to downpour any minute!
This Merckx is one of the best fits of my collection. I've ridden my steel bikes the other direction on the Parkway but have never taken one on this climb, primarily because I enjoy bombing downhill on the modern wheels. This descent isn't technical at all, but the wheels didn't hold me back at all on the few tight curves I had to take. Here's the vid for those interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2meN...ature=youtu.be
This Merckx is one of the best fits of my collection. I've ridden my steel bikes the other direction on the Parkway but have never taken one on this climb, primarily because I enjoy bombing downhill on the modern wheels. This descent isn't technical at all, but the wheels didn't hold me back at all on the few tight curves I had to take. Here's the vid for those interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2meN...ature=youtu.be
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
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