TT and wheels

okane1

Completed my first 20km TT last night in a time of 34.30. As it was my first TT, I was happy to finish it. Now I have a bench mark to improve on.

Besides getting fitter and cycle at a higher HR on the next one, I am also looking at getting deep dish wheels.

Currently I'm running aksium. With a search, you can get several rim depths: 50-110mm.
For TT in Ireland, what would be the ideal depth to run? I was thinking 50-60mm. Any advice would be appreciated.

Chips Lovell

What's your current set-up like, i.e. what equipment did you use at last night's TT?

okane1

Canyon Roadlite 6 - standard, with Look Keo 2 max pedals.
I have clip on aero bars that I didn't use. I'll use them next time - 2wks.

niceonetom

In the hierarchy of things that will make you faster in a TT wheels are near the very bottom.

Engine is first, then body position so get those clip-ons sorted out and start working on getting as low and narrow as you can without sacrificing too much power.

Whatever you were going to spend on wheels would probably be better spent on a skinsuit, pointy helmet, shoe covers and a bike-fit from someone who knows about TT positioning.

Lumen

On the rare occasions that I drag myself to a TT I use 50mm front and disc rear, even if it's windy.

Fast wheels are very expensive and trying to work out which wheels are fastest is a complete head-melter.

Bang-for-buck you're better off with clip-ons, TT helmet, skinsuit and aero booties, and more importantly just train regularly on the clip-ons to increase your power in the aero position.

Chips Lovell

^ What Tom said.

Aerobars and finding a position that balances aero with power generation is way more important than wheels. So get that right first.

I'm flying here so don't have a chance to Google stuff, but there are articles out there that analyse power savings generated by individual bits of equipment. If I recall correctly, you'll get more from using a TT helmet than deep section wheels. If I'm remembering that right, then that could be the next thing on your buy list.

Broadly speaking, a good approach would be looking at what gets you the most watts per euro.

Lumen

okane1

Some great replies and advice.

OK for the next TT, I'll put on the aero bars. I can also lower my stem; currently have three spacers on the bottom. This should, in theory, get me lower and reduce wind drag.
The body creates 80% of drag? And I have a big body, 6.2ft 86kg!

Last night I cycled on HR, used 180 as the threshold. Next time I'll go to 182 as I wasn't as fecked as I could be. If I can improve by 30secs, I will gain 7 places

Lumen

okane1 wrote: »

I can also lower my stem; currently have three spacers on the bottom. This should, in theory, get me lower and reduce wind drag.

It's definitely not as simple as that. Even ignoring effects on power production, a lower position can be more draggy. Something about catching air rather than channelling it over the hips.

...and you will lose power the lower you go. This is due to closing up the hip angle. On a tri bike this is compensated for by having a very forward saddle position which rotates the whole body without changing the angles too much. On a UCI-legal TT bike (saddle>=50mm behind bb) the pros tend to adopt a tri-like position by hanging off the tip of the saddle.

Lumen

If the rules you're racing under allow it, and it fits, get this...

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Nike-Discovery-Channel-Skinsuit-/170836110884?pt=UK_Cycling_Clothing&hash=item27c6a02e24#ht_514wt_1413

They are very fast, allegedly.

okane1

Lumen wrote: »

If the rules you're racing under allow it, and it fits, get this...

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Nike-Discovery-Channel-Skinsuit-/170836110884?pt=UK_Cycling_Clothing&hash=item27c6a02e24#ht_514wt_1413

They are very fast, allegedly.

I'm a swimmer, so I'm used to wearing skin suits. But on the bike, I rather wear my team colours. There is a team time trial on the 4th session, might look out of place wearing that!

Lumen

okane1 wrote: »

I'm a swimmer, so I'm used to wearing skin suits. But on the bike, I rather wear my team colours. There is a team time trial on the 4th session, might look out of place wearing that!

Get a few of them. It'll be like 2005 all over again!

ednwireland

get the wheels you 'll look much cooler anyway :cool:

okane1

ednwireland wrote: »

get the wheels you 'll look much cooler anyway :cool:

That was an other reason why I was planning on getting them. The cooler you look the faster you go - right

ednwireland

okane1 wrote: »

That was an other reason why I was planning on getting them. The cooler you look the faster you go - right

yep , if you look like your going 100mph standing still, thats a good thing, right

okane1

An update on my TT. Had the 2nd one tonight using aero bars.
Time was 32.38. Not all thanks to the aero bars, pushed a bit harder (nearly blow up at 19km) and the wind wasn't as strong.

Happy I improved and hopefully the next few TT will also see improvements.

Woody_FX

Hi Okane,

Where are you doing your TT races?

Been looking to get involved somewhere for a while.

Anybody get under 30mins?

okane1

Woody_FX wrote: »

Hi Okane,

Where are you doing your TT races?

Been looking to get involved somewhere for a while.

Anybody get under 30mins?

Its the Kerry time trial league been run in Tralee, route Tralee to Castleisland and back.
I haven't seen the official results from last night but I reckon a good few were under 30mins.

granda

how about racing in general, would deep section wheels help there or is really personel preferance.

Lumen

granda wrote: »

how about racing in general, would deep section wheels help there or is really personel preferance.

Yes and no.

A ladder can be useful for climbing out of a hole but if you're standing in the Grand Canyon it's not going to be of much help.