ChaZam

Stage 1 of the Green Mountain Stage Race is an ITT. https://www.gmsr.info/bigworld_ITT.php

It starts out with what looks like a 2.3 mile climb averaging about 4%. I don't know what the steepest pitches are. After that it's flat/slightly rolling for 3 miles. Then a fast dip and steep rise, and a false flat for 500m into the finish.

Organizers have banned bullhorns & extensions, so rather than going through the trouble of switching shifters & bars and all that, I'm just going to ride my road bike, as I assume everyone else will. They don't put any restrictions on wheels, however. Discs, trispokes, deepdish, square--all's legal (though the latter might cause time cut issues). Is there anyone who has done this who can make a recommendation? I'm sort of a mid-pack finisher on flat time trials, proficient, but at 130 lbs, I'm definitely more of a climber than anything. Unfortunately--or perhaps fortunately for this TT--I climb more like Levi or Cadel than Contador or Schleck (less 80 watts); that is, I like to go one speed without having to accelerate too frequently. I'll punch it over the final riser, but in general I'm gonna ride at 103-105% FTP rock steady for 15-17 minutes. And so--

I have the luxury of being able to pick just about any wheelset I want. A 1050g 23mm climbing set, ~58mm 404-type semi-aero set at c. 1300 g, aero ~80mm 808-type set at c. 1700 grams, a heavier Jet 3 clincher trispoke, and a disc (sub-9 at ~1000g, or a lighter blackwell disc but with higher drag numbers). N.b.: *None but the light set belong to me, but I have generous, rich friends, and also work at a shop that rents equipment; I'm not blowing a trust fund on wheels or something like that.*

What's the general public think? A friend of mine got fifth in the TT on his semi-aero ~60mm Edge wheels last year. He's similarly built (just way stronger). But I'm leaning toward the disc with an 808. I suspect I'll be amongst the fastest on the climbing portion, but might lose a fair amount of time on the flats. Thus a few extra grams might slow me down some on the hill, but help me immensely on the flat. I did this with some success at the old Tour d'Ephrata TT (6 miles flat, 2 mile 8% climb), where i only lost to a few roleurs but beat all the climbers, even ones i knew climbed faster than I can.

Anyone, particularly someone who's done this before, care to way in? I'd be most obliged.

CZ

ElJamoquio

It's basically divided up into the first 1/3 or 1/2 which is a climb, and the rest of it which is rollers.

I'd run 404's or similar. No way I'd run a disc.

ChaZam

Because there are particularly steep pitches anywhere, or just due to overall weight savings? A rear 404 is 696 grams, while a sub-9 disc is 998 grams. That's only a 300g difference, which is generally I loss I can achieve with a good trip to a portajohn and maybe a haircut. Granted, it's rotating weight, and I don't accelerate super-well either. Zipp's literature (propoganda) claims a savings of 104 seconds over 40k with an 808/sub-9 combo, and 71 seconds with a 404 set (at 30mph, presumably). Average speed for the winner of my category is going to be about 20 mph, maybe just over, barring any unexpectedly strong showings.

An 808 rear is 828g, and a 1080 is 906g. I'm still very torn. Ah, the burdens over the overly-equipped...

vw addict

really? you needed to start a thread?

ChaZam

Sorry if I'm being impropitious. I'm still familiarizing self with proper forum decorum. Blame any infelicities on my deficiency as both a cyclist and person.

vw addict

just put wheels on your bike and ride. Seriously.

Dalai

I'd recommend posting this in the Race section, as you will most likely get more helpful responses than vw addict's.

Personally, unless the course is very technical - my understanding is aero trumps weight at the gradients you have listed. So would go with the most aero wheels.

recon455

ONLY 300 grams?

You have earned my respect.

vw addict

so just wondering about breAKFAST TOMORROW, EGG WHITES, ENERGY BAR, CEREAL BAR, OR PROTEIN SHAKE?

Triguy

I'm pretty sure if you ran the numbers at analytic cycling you'd find that a disc and deep front would be fastest(I would run the uphill as one test, and the rest of the course as the rest). Cervelo, Zipp, Hed all kind of agree that aero loses to weight once a hill is at about 6-8% depending on the rider - once under 13mph.

Even the opening hill which is 2.5 miles and gains 500 feet you'll be going over 15 mph so. Once you're over the hill you'll be happy to have the aero wheels. The only exception may be if your disc wheel rubs when you are punching hard, that could be distracting.

ElJamoquio

The gradient he listed is an average. It's really something like 8% for half the course and then rollers for half the course. I haven't done the analysis, but I'd run the 404's.

DScott

33

Really.