wheel choice question

Amprodude

Im doing a local cycle next weekend and wondering would it look stupid on my bike if i threw on my cosmic carbones onto my bike so early in the year? I would normally leave these wheels off until im doing sportives but there will be a nice few doing this cycle. I was even thinking i would just put on the front wheel and leave back one alone.

What do you think?

Craig06

I certainly would put just one on. It'd look ridiculous.

Amprodude

Craig06 wrote: »

I certainly would put just one on. It'd look ridiculous.

Are you saying to put the set of wheels on or leave them off completely?

blorg

It's an important question, good to see people putting some planning into these things. Are you planning on winning this local cycle? What are your tactics, who are you up against?

Ignore this Craig06 guy, he doesn't sound like he's willing to do what it takes to WIN. Would Grahame Obree have got as far as he did if he was concerned about "looking ridiculous"? Winners will do what it takes, even if they look ridiculous to lesser men.

The carbones are aero but heavy and the wheel that matters most for aero is the front, so there are courses where just putting the front on could make sense. I'd reckon if this local cycle is 70% flat but with a steep climb in the second half and then flat to the finish, putting the front carbon on could make sense.

Conserve your energy by hiding in the bunch then attack all out on the climb. Your front carbone won't help you here but it won't be as much of an anchor as two of them and you'll have fresh legs from hiding in the bunch the first half.

Descend as recklessly as you feel comfortable and then time trial it to victory, you will find the carbone very helpful in this section.

Do you have team mates to help you execute such a​ plan? Also, I'd caution against giving away too much on this, what is after all a public message board. Your rivals in this local cycle may get WIND of your plans, so to speak.

Good luck, and remember if this local cycle isn't UCI-sanctioned a steak the night before the race, sorry local cycle, may work wonders. A STEAK. If you get my meaning. 'Course you do.

Amprodude

blorg wrote: »

It's an important question, good to see people putting some planning into these things. Are you planning on winning this local cycle? What are your tactics, who are you up against?

Ignore this Craig06 guy, he doesn't sound like he's willing to do what it takes to WIN. Would Grahame Obree have got as far as he did if he was concerned about "looking ridiculous"? Winners will do what it takes, even if they look ridiculous to lesser men.

The carbones are aero but heavy and the wheel that matters most for aero is the front, so there are courses where just putting the front on could make sense. I'd reckon if this local cycle is 70% flat but with a steep climb in the second half and then flat to the finish, putting the front carbon on could make sense.

Conserve your energy by hiding in the bunch then attack all out on the climb. Your front carbone won't help you here but it won't be as much of an anchor as two of them and you'll have fresh legs from hiding in the bunch the first half.

Descend as recklessly as you feel comfortable and then time trial it to victory, you will find the carbone very helpful in this section.

Do you have team mates to help you execute such a​ plan? Also, I'd caution against giving away too much on this, what is after all a public message board. Your rivals in this local cycle may get WIND of your plans, so to speak.

Good luck, and remember if this local cycle isn't UCI-sanctioned a steak the night before the race, sorry local cycle, may work wonders. A STEAK. If you get my meaning. 'Course you do.

I dont know if you are joking me or being serious.

XtotheZ

hes taking the piss. Leave them at home

endacl

Also, if it's windy attach some tesco bags to the handlebars. Hide them under the hoods. When you get a nice tailwind release them and acting as sails they should give you up to an extra 15kph on the flat. Don't forget to use granny knots though, so you can quickly release them before the commisaire cops on!

Best of luck!

Amprodude

endacl wrote: »

Also, if it's windy attach some tesco bags to the handlebars. Hide them under the hoods. When you get a nice tailwind release them and acting as sails they should give you up to an extra 15kph on the flat. Don't forget to use granny knots though, so you can quickly release them before the commisaire cops on!

Best of luck!

christ..... its really gone past a joke at this stage. Sorry i asked. Mods lock the thread up.

Mechanic365

Cyclo cross tyres are great for these wet conditions. And leaded weights under the bottle cages aid handling!

Amprodude

XtotheZ wrote: »

hes taking the piss. Leave them at home

You are right Ihink i leave them off altogether.

Arthurdaly

Amprodude wrote: »

You are right Ihink i leave them off altogether.

You obviously want to ride them, are you an adult? why would a throw away comment from someone on a message board be making decisions for you!

Amprodude

Arthurdaly wrote: »

You obviously want to ride them, are you an adult? why would a throw away comment from someone on a message board be making decisions for you!

I got the wheels last year but havent tried them out yet. I was going to throw them on for this but i was wondering is it too early in season for them? Most people will have heavier wheels on this time of year would i be correct in saying?

Arthurdaly

Amprodude wrote: »

I got the wheels last year but havent tried them out yet. I was going to throw them on for this but i was wondering is it too early in season for them? Most people will have heavier wheels on this time of year would i be correct in saying?

They will indeed but if you want to ride your nice new wheels then put them on and enjoy it! Some will think you are a plonker whilst most simply wont care.

denbatt

If its dry stick em on! Feck it life is too short. Use em and enjoy em.

cdaly_

endacl wrote: »

Also, if it's windy attach some tesco bags to the handlebars. Hide them under the hoods. When you get a nice tailwind release them and acting as sails they should give you up to an extra 15kph on the flat. Don't forget to use granny knots though, so you can quickly release them before the commisaire cops on!

Best of luck!

That is the coolest idea. Gonna try that for sure...

Iwernia

And you will definitely need this regardless of the weather...................

codie

Amprodude wrote: »

I got the wheels last year but havent tried them out yet. I was going to throw them on for this but i was wondering is it too early in season for them? Most people will have heavier wheels on this time of year would i be correct in saying?

Who cares what other people have or haven't on their bike.Go with what you want.The majority of people at this time of year are a 1/2 stone above their normal weight(me anyways after the xmas) and are out of shape somewhat.If you want to put the wheels on go for it .As tadhg Kennelly said last year on brendan o connor show ***k the begrudgers.

Amprodude

Iwernia wrote: »

And you will definitely need this regardless of the weather...................

Im beyond that :-)