what would be faster in a time trial?
07-17-10, 07:47 PM
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what would be faster in a time trial?
In this scenario, we will consider a team of six strong riders. They are doing a team time trial on a 25 mile course with marginal climbing and an average amount of corners and bends. Will the team be faster:
1.) On individual bikes
Or
2.) On a six man tandem?
1.) On individual bikes
Or
2.) On a six man tandem?
07-17-10, 07:58 PM
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I'd say on the (sextuplet) tandem. back it the day before cars and motorbikes were reliable you used 3,4,5 man tandems for "motorpacing".
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07-17-10, 08:41 PM
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If there were sharp turns, it would be a no-go.
07-17-10, 08:56 PM
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too many variables to decide. Climbing on a 6 man tandem would be difficult. I imagine getting out of the saddle would be nearly impossible. I wouldn't want to try cornering on one either.
On the other hand, the 6 man tandem would be way more aero and have a lot less rolling resistance than the 6 individual bikes. It really depends on if you could stay upright through the corners and stay in the saddle on the climbs.
On the other hand, the 6 man tandem would be way more aero and have a lot less rolling resistance than the 6 individual bikes. It really depends on if you could stay upright through the corners and stay in the saddle on the climbs.
07-17-10, 09:19 PM
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Back in the day when they were using multi-person tandems for pacing, I think they also discovered that performance drops off rapidly, too- you don't get near the gain with a third person as you do with a second, but the bike gets heavier, etc. I would guess that the question is unanswerable, seeing as how there are no current high-performance riders riding 6-man tandems for comparison.
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07-17-10, 09:43 PM
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07-18-10, 01:11 AM
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