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Originally Posted by livedarklions
(Post 20811633)
So, in conclusion, if all other things are equal (like that ever happens), having a better bike is better than having a worser bike, and that's not good.
This is some Nobel Prize kind of stuff here. |
Originally Posted by ph0rk
(Post 20798606)
If there is something to win, folks will spend money trying to do it. Some other folks will also cheat any way they can.
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More on the placebo effect: Around 1900, give or take a decade, the world sprint record was held by a rider using cranks that were bent into a half-circle "so that he could push into the ends of them." For decades, all the major races were won using Campy chainrings with a second, plain inner ring doing almost nothing but imitating a badly designed girder.
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Originally Posted by Hypno Toad
(Post 20800463)
As somebody that doesn't have a bike that cost over $1,500, I found this interesting stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXflmGqJakA Not exactly scientific, but interesting. For the record, I'm guess most of us are racing for glory ... there's not a lot of prizes for winning the races I go to. Best swag is typically raffled off. |
Originally Posted by HTupolev
(Post 20807824)
In a time-trial situation where two riders would have otherwise performed identically, sure.
Mass-start races are more complicated. They're strategic and tactical and chaotic. Having a better bike improves your odds, but weaker riders on lower-end bikes beat stronger riders on better bikes all the time. Within reason, having a better bike is definitely not the difference between being pack fodder and whimsically riding the peloton off your wheel. I'd say money buying speed is totally true in TT and triathlon. Particularly long course triathlon where marginal differences add up to minutes over some 5 to 8 hours on the bike. In a peloton, no way. Not going to solo away due to a bike. Even uphill, you realize the Allez guy just has to sit in behind the other guy for 2/3 of the hill then pip him on the last 1/3. Yeah, strong enough riders can draft uphill. KOMs on some shorter 3min to 4min hills in the 4% grade range are probably approaching or over 20mph. You can suck wheel up a hill like that. Also, in the flat, just try to get away alone from a big like-skilled group. You're either totally out riding their fitness, or you're blowing up in 5 minutes. I've tried, and failed. Stop trolling. |
Originally Posted by burnthesheep
(Post 20816273)
Winner winner chicken dinner.
I'd say money buying speed is totally true in TT and triathlon. Particularly long course triathlon where marginal differences add up to minutes over some 5 to 8 hours on the bike. In a peloton, no way. Not going to solo away due to a bike. Even uphill, you realize the Allez guy just has to sit in behind the other guy for 2/3 of the hill then pip him on the last 1/3. Yeah, strong enough riders can draft uphill. KOMs on some shorter 3min to 4min hills in the 4% grade range are probably approaching or over 20mph. You can suck wheel up a hill like that. Also, in the flat, just try to get away alone from a big like-skilled group. You're either totally out riding their fitness, or you're blowing up in 5 minutes. I've tried, and failed. Stop trolling. |
Originally Posted by caloso
(Post 20816290)
It's obvious that the OP has never raced, but now I have to question whether he's even watched a race.
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Originally Posted by Doge
(Post 20801339)
Talent
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Originally Posted by skyblue1
(Post 20825050)
Talented use of steroids...?
Not every cyclist, or team even deciding to break the rules had the ability to execute as well as US Postal did. Or they were much better which is why only USPS was "caught" (and Festina ans Astana). Some tech is illegal, some is allowed. Some drugs are allowed in some situations and not in others. Some tech is not allowed in some countries, while allowed in others. Sleeping in an O2 controlled tent is not allowed for Italian racing, but is allowed for UCI - it is tech. |
Originally Posted by mtb_addict
(Post 20799122)
THis is why I don't care to watch races. It's become a win at all cost mentality at all levels. Lets just ride and not care about winning or losing.
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