Aero Wheels

roger_merriman

looks like it's a clockwise from roehampton, so a little sharp lump with broomfield, should get seriously fast down to the finish, 40mph + with ease

mrc1

cjcp wrote:

1 lap? You've got to be looking at a 17min lap then going c/wise, surely?

Absolutely - I have never done a full one lap b*lls out effort as I normally cycle the 15 miles to get to RP then do 3-5 circa 20 min laps (to make it worth the effort of going there) then have a bite to eat and cycle home.

il_principe

cjcp wrote:

mrcartledge wrote:

so I plan to power up the hill in the big ring and then just take roundabouts/corners with traffic free abandon and generally smash the course.

I should hope so. I go up that in a 53x21 with a backpack (very, very slowly though). So, if you go into the 39, you'll be a big girl, in which case you shouldn't dare darken our doorstep again. :P


Note: I've consistently gone up that hill faster in the 39 with a higher cadence than I have in the 53 with a lower cadence. It's worth experimenting.

That's where a compact helps, the 50 is perfect for hooning up old "big hill."

i really want a double now, mainly for sheer top end falt speed! But I guess it's pointless if I end up heading to the alps next year...

Anyway back OT - If you're not already then I'd suggest you try getting some 17min laps under your belt as soon as you can, it's difficult with the traffic, but I'd imagine on the day with no cars then you could be looking at something in the 16's.

cjcp

You need to go out with JonGinge. If you can keep you up with him up the hills, you'll be doing very well.

mrc1

Yeah I am going to drive down at the weekends between now and the race early doors to try and get some traffic free(ish) laps in.

On race day I will be using the compact as I agree with Jash re the 50 ring and again due to the singlespeed history I have no problem with spinning on the quicker parts.

Is consensus that clockwise is faster than anti-clockwise or vice versa?

il_principe

I think anti is faster you're turning left at the roundabouts and can take Dark Hill quicker than Broomfield. There's hardly anything in it though.

cjcp

mrcartledge wrote:

Yeah I am going to drive down at the weekends between now and the race early doors to try and get some traffic free(ish) laps in.

On race day I will be using the compact as I agree with Jash re the 50 ring and again due to the singlespeed history I have no problem with spinning on the quicker parts.

Is consensus that clockwise is faster than anti-clockwise or vice versa?

Vice versa.

I live close to the Park, so if you fancy a quick lap, drop me a line.

gtvlusso

Compact - I feel like I am working too hard, I use a 53 big chainring - I don't think I have ever used the 39 innner ring yet......there will be a hill that will kill me though!!!

My TT bike had a 57 big ring.......bring on the knee surgeon!

mrc1

gtvlusso wrote:

My TT bike had a 57 big ring.......bring on the knee surgeon!

Bloody hell! That really must have hurt!!

Its basically off topic and just an observation but was anybody else mesmerised/hypnotised by Wiggin's elliptical chain ring on the final TT?!!

Oh and at CJ - thanks I will be in touch and hopefully arrange a ride in a couple of weekends time!

bigmat

If you can draft and its closed roads then you should easily go sub 17 mins, although depends on conditions etc. I've never tried 1-lap flat out effort either, although I'm not sure I could go much faster than when I'm on a 3 lapper - I always feel like I'm about to collapse anyway so not much left to give!

I'm obviously a wuss on the hills, 34 up Dark Hill for me. Usually go anti, but when I've ridden Broomfield I'm faster on 34 than 50, 53 I could probably manage but slooooooow.

gtvlusso

53 serves me well - Like I said previously, I have never used my 39 ring yet.....but I am sure there is a hill waiting. I have virtually killed myself with idiotic determination before now and ground up hills just because I did not want to use the 39 ring.

Whichever way - I hope that we have not completely killed your aero wheel purchase - if you want them - go for it, but you may find little advantage over 1 lap in a drafting race.

You'll look like a god though and you will have the psychological edge over us mere mortals with "normal" wheels.

mrc1

Thanks for all the advice - particularly GTV

As an update:

Training is going well and I did a solo 18 min 03 second (Damn those three seconds) clockwise lap first thing on Saturday morning sans tri-bars and aero wheels after a 2.5k reasonably fast run.

I have now decided not to bother with the upgraded wheels for this year (although the Reynolds Assaults look extremely tempting).

Regarding the race 4 people dropped below the 18 min mark last year so I am confident the bike leg will go well. One thing I should stress and I probably didnt make clear before - the bike leg is after a 5k run that 85% of the competitors last year completed in under 16 minutes and is followed by a 2.5k that I will need to run in 7 minutes something!!