Swrods Club 25m TT -- CLip on Bars

scottreynolds

Okay, so I asked RAAM this question and he avoided it so here goes..........

Next week is the swords 25m TT race and its a long way going full on into the wind so I was thinking about weather or not clip on TT bars would be a good idea or even acceptable. I don't want to come across as a total toser but wouldn't mind a bit of aero..

Chips Lovell

scottreynolds wrote: »

Okay, so I asked RAAM this question and he avoided it so here goes..........

Next week is the swords 25m TT race and its a long way going full on into the wind so I was thinking about weather or not clip on TT bars would be a good idea or even acceptable. I don't want to come across as a total toser but wouldn't mind a bit of aero..

You won't come across as a tosser. My experience of club league TTs is that the scratch guys and a few others tend to do them on TT rigs, whilst everyone else opt for aerobars or just a plain old road bike.

If I was investing in them, I'd try and use them a bit before the event to try and get my position sorted out and what not.

RobFowl

It's pretty much as El tonto says. 5 or 6 will be on full T bikes the rest on ordinary ones +/- clip ons.
I've a pair if you want to borrow them (I'm marshalling )

mloc123

Depends on if you can get into a proper aero postition on your bike with bars or not. If you are going to be too stretched out you will lose power, won't be comfortable and probably won't stay on them for much of the 25 miles. Its amazing how many people you see at tris and duathlons that have tri bars on a road bike but aren't using them... reason being they can't stay on them for the full length of the bike stage.

interested

mloc123 wrote: »

Its amazing how many people you see at tris and duathlons that have tri bars on a road bike but aren't using them... reason being they can't stay on them for the full length of the bike stage.

+1
Potential overkill if you only plan to TT every now and again but something like this
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Profile_Fast_Forward_Carbon_Seat_Post/5360036060/ with clip on bars can help ensure you're using the bars and able to bash out the power.

scottreynolds

mloc123 wrote: »

If you are going to be too stretched out you will lose power, won't be comfortable and probably won't stay on them for much of the 25 miles.

interested wrote: »

Potential overkill if you only plan to TT every now and again but something like this.

Yeah thanks.... I'll have to forgo the seat post today. TBH, I wouldn't be to worried its my first TT and I fancy the aero look... its my wanna be triathlete pose that I'm trying to master.

Can you get stubby short ones as clip on or are they all the same.

interested

scottreynolds wrote: »

Yeah thanks.... I'll have to forgo the seat post today. TBH, I wouldn't be to worried its my first TT and I fancy the aero look... its my wanna be triathlete pose that I'm trying to master.

Can you get stubby short ones as clip on or are they all the same.

you can. im sure there's cheaper about but just one example is below
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29368

Lumen

FWIW, Steve Hogg recommends Profile Carbon Stryke as being very adjustable.

He goes into aero bar positioning in some detail in his second bike fit DVD.

edit: essentially, for someone who uses aero bars occasionally, he recommends setting them up so that (a) the seat position doesn't need to change (b) the upper body position does not vary when you move from the lower part of the drops to the aerobars.

scottreynolds

Does anyone think the aero bars will make much of a difference?

Raam

scottreynolds wrote: »

Okay, so I asked RAAM this question and he avoided it so here goes..........

Next week is the swords 25m TT race and its a long way going full on into the wind so I was thinking about weather or not clip on TT bars would be a good idea or even acceptable. I don't want to come across as a total toser but wouldn't mind a bit of aero..

I said some people have TT bikes and some have clip on bars, but that I have neither!

scottreynolds

Raam wrote: »

I said some people have TT bikes and some have clip on bars, but that I have neither!

That was only half an answer.

Raam

scottreynolds wrote: »

That was only half an answer.

This was the question...

Lastly, next week 25m TT, do people have TT bars or TT bikes?

This was the answer...

For the DWCC TTs folk have had aero bars or TT bikes. Not me though, I have neither. Presume Swords one will be a similar deal.

Lumen

scottreynolds wrote: »

Does anyone think the aero bars will make much of a difference?

Yes, your bike will look deadly.

Or you could read this.

However, unless you're changing your seating position (inadvisable unless you're training like this regularly) the only difference over using the drops will be bringing your arms within the profile of your hips.

AIUI, the main advantage of aerobars is comfort in an aero position (i.e. unloading your forearms).

Since you're a double hard b*****d, you could always just remove all your spacers and use one of these.

blorg

scottreynolds wrote: »

Does anyone think the aero bars will make much of a difference?

BikeRadar had an article where they found adding clip on bars to a road bike were the single most effective way to buy speed, indeed more so than going from road bike+aerobars to a full on TT bike (Tunney may disagree )

Position: Going from drops to aerobars will save you ~30 watts at 40km/h
Bike: A time trial bike will save you ~20 watts over a road bike with clip-ons at 40km/h
Helmet: A time trial helmet will save you ~10 watts over a road helmet at 40km/h

Getting the position right and being able to stay in it is key though, common enough that riders would not be able to stay in standard drops for a full TT. I had to work on this myself but am now at the stage where I am comfortable staying in my drops indefinitely. Of course the higher your bars are in the first place the easier it is going to be to stay in the drops (but the less aerodynamic.)

mloc123

blorg wrote: »

BikeRadar had an article where they found adding clip on bars to a road bike were the single most effective way to buy speed, indeed more so than going from road bike+aerobars to a full on TT bike (Tunney may disagree )



Getting the position right and being able to stay in it is key though, common enough that riders would not be able to stay in standard drops for a full TT. I had to work on this myself but am now at the stage where I am comfortable staying in my drops indefinitely. Of course the higher your bars are in the first place the easier it is going to be to stay in the drops (but the less aerodynamic.)

There is no desputing that a road bike with tt bars can be as good as a tt bike... IF you can get a proper fit. But if by being on the bars your hip angle is too small then its counter productive.

scottreynolds

Okay -- so clip on bars are best. I'm going to borrow some first time out and then decide what to do. I spoke to the guys at wheelworx and they said that the stubby little bars are best for a road bike but it all depends on your top tube length flexibility etc... 40km seems like a long way to go flat out.

I'd say 1:13 will be my time but that a wild stab.

amjon

Sorry to hijack the thread but can I just rock up to this or do I have to affiliated to Cycling Ireland?

RobFowl

amjon wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread but can I just rock up to this or do I have to affiliated to Cycling Ireland?

You need a club licence at least sorry.

amjon

Hi, Can somebody post a link to the HQ on google maps. I've experienced cycling out to TT's with no directions and it not something I want ot do again.

scottreynolds

This course is sometimes used for our Club 25 Mile TT, but more usually of late we use of the Dunsany (Green sheds) circuit using a Start/Finish line that is approx half a mile past the disused Garage in Batterstown. This course as used by the IVCA is exactly 25 miles

25 Mile TTs (Latest most accurate - Out & Back)
In 2008 we used the IVCA measured course for the 25 mile TT. Sign on was in Batterstown but the Start and Finish are clearly marked 2km on the Dublin side of the road on the Dublin side of Batterstown. Note the Start and finish are slightly staggered by approx 10 yards.
The TT travels 12.5miles out to the first small roundabout short of Trim

How to get there from M50:
Come off the M50 at Blanchardstown and travel north in the direction of Navan. Through the first roundabout at Blanch, past the turn offs for the Blanchardstown Centre and past the turn off for Clonee. You should now be past the end of the Dual Carriageway. Past next left (which would bring you into Dunboyne), past two more minor left turns still travelling north. Just past the major right turn (now served by a new roundabout) whch would bring you to Fairyhouse/Rathoath, take the left turn heading for Trim and Batterstown is approx 3 miles up this road. Park & sign on & start finish just past the Church on the RHS.
For the record the point where you turned off the Navan road heading for Batterstown is called Black Bull (although you wont see this on any sign post)

How to get there from Swords:
Top of Main St, turn right at the Castle and travel along the Rathbeale Road all the way accross until you come to the Ashbourne Road, where you go straight accross roundabout and head for Rathoath. Into the Village and take the left turn, past Fairyhouse and keep going until you come ot the Navan Road. (now served by new rounabout) . Take the exit straight across onto the Trim road. Three miles from here (Black Bull) to Batterstown.

Route Description:
If you're looking for a fast 25 - forget it!!!! The course is 2 laps of the Mullagh which includes a wee bit of a hill and its a little longer than 25 Miles (all good training though). Course starts at the Old Garage, direction of Trim and takes a left after about 3 miles. Slight downhill, and bit of a climb. Accross to the Dunboyne/Summerhill road, left in the direction of Dunboyne and left for Batterstown after about 4 miles coming out facing the Church to complete lap 1.
A good testing course which sometimes is used for CP's , so its worrth doing even if you hate time trails!!!!!



So looks like here .....

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=batterstown.+meath&sll=53.421634,-6.135209&sspn=0.066186,0.11261&ie=UTF8&ll=53.456065,-6.503048&spn=0.066132,0.11261&z=13

amjon

Cheers, hopefully this rain will pass by this evening. What time does it start at btw?

Raam

amjon wrote: »

Cheers, hopefully this rain will pass by this evening. What time does it start at btw?

Sign on is usually 6.45. Race at 7.15

Weather is expected to clear up.

Raam

@RobFowl: can you tell us if Scott's map is the exact location of sign on?

scottreynolds

Raam wrote: »

@RobFowl: can you tell us if Scott's map is the exact location of sign on?

yes please do -- It would help me too since I only followed the directions.

RobFowl

Just waiting confirmation of the exact sign on but its usually a garge just outside of Batterstown on the trim road.
Ps the course is now a straight out and back one on the Trim road much faster (and less hill's (sorry RAAM) with 2 roundabouts).
Clip on bars a distinct advantage

RobFowl

Garage called the Internet car sales company
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=53.484981,-6.544418&spn=0.057711,0.097504&z=13&msid=110273571692769211258.00046c87bc239236453db

zzzzzzzz

RobFowl wrote: »

Garage called the Internet car sales company
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=53.484981,-6.544418&spn=0.057711,0.097504&z=13&msid=110273571692769211258.00046c87bc239236453db

If you're talking about the garage I think you're talking about (on the left hand side just after you leave batterstown, before the GAA club) it's now a garden centre.

Apologies if you're talking about a different place.

RobFowl

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

If you're talking about the garage I think you're talking about (on the left hand side just after you leave batterstown, before the GAA club) it's now a garden centre.

Apologies if you're talking about a different place.

Probably is looked a little run down last year !

blorg

You guys are all going to miss the 10km race in the city center tonight! Closed roads!

Raam

Owwwww. That is all.

Billy Whizz

Raam wrote: »

Owwwww. That is all.

That was rotten wasn't it. Just goes on forever...

Raam

Billy Whizz wrote: »

That was rotten wasn't it. Just goes on forever...

The first 2km were fine. The rest was... not fun. I found it difficult getting off the bike afterwards. Everything hurts this morning, and there's a DWCC 5 mile TT tonight... yippee

amjon

Raam wrote: »

The first 2km were fine. The rest was... not fun. I found it difficult getting off the bike afterwards. Everything hurts this morning, and there's a DWCC 5 mile TT tonight... yippee

Hi Raam, can you post up a google map link to the HQ for this?

Raam

amjon wrote: »

Hi Raam, can you post up a google map link to the HQ for this?

I think it's where RobFowl linked to earlier. I'll stick a link on mapmyride this evening if I remember.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

The first 2km were fine. The rest was... not fun. I found it difficult getting off the bike afterwards. Everything hurts this morning, and there's a DWCC 5 mile TT tonight... yippee

Please don't make us wait for the full race report. What was your time?

LDB

That was hard but satisfying. My time was around 1:17 / 1:18 not sure.
quite windy on the way out and a not that much better on the way back!

I was worried my whole lower body was going to crap up driving home.

Can't wait for the TT tonight

Chips Lovell

LDB wrote: »

I was worried my whole lower body was going to crap up driving home.

Eat something dodgy for lunch?

Raam

1.05.47 was my time.

@El Tonto: it's the same course that I met you at last year.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

1.05.47 was my time.

@El Tonto: it's the same course that I met you at last year.

Beat me by two seconds.

LDB

el tonto wrote: »

Eat something dodgy for lunch?

Yeah I thought I was going to Cramp too

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Beat me by two seconds.

That actually makes me feel a little warm inside

LDB

el tonto wrote: »

Beat me by two seconds.

you know what this means Raam, you are no longer going to be allowed draft behind him on the flat now ....

Chips Lovell

LDB wrote: »

you know what this means Raam, you are no longer going to be allowed draft behind him on the flat now ....

Exactly. Raam is now chief train driver for the Ring of Kerry.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Exactly. Raam is now chief train driver for the Ring of Kerry.

Choo choo!
Not much shelter behind me, folks.

godihatethehils

Who are the 'invited clubs' for the Boot Inn TT tonight??

ie. are Orwell peeps allowed to come out to play?

amjon

Is this it?

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=113938723672617568289.00044360ef5793edc8693&ie=UTF8&ll=53.434901,-6.295166&spn=0.095924,0.219727&z=12

scottreynolds

godihatethehils wrote: »

Who are the 'invited clubs' for the Boot Inn TT tonight??

ie. are Orwell peeps allowed to come out to play?

Triathletes aren't allowed.

Raam

amjon wrote: »

Is this it?

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=113938723672617568289.00044360ef5793edc8693&ie=UTF8&ll=53.434901,-6.295166&spn=0.095924,0.219727&z=12

This is the boot inn circuit: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/ireland/-dublin/660002537117

scottreynolds

Lumen wrote: »

Please don't make us wait for the full race report. What was your time?

Raam -- are you posting a seperate thread ehre for your report.... I'm craft some words of encouragment so no one slits their tyres after reading your report.

Raam

scottreynolds wrote: »

Raam -- are you posting a seperate thread ehre for your report.... I'm craft some words of encouragment so no one slits their tyres after reading your report.

I'll put something together later, but I'll be submitting it to Swords first.

scottreynolds

Raam wrote: »

I'll put something together later, but I'll be submitting it to Swords first.

Sweet as... I'll slip up a reporto after a bit of coffee and recovery bagel.