The Hour *** spoilers ***

Pokerface

Pross wrote:

Salsiccia1 wrote:

RichN95 wrote:

Jo Rowsell should have a crack at the women's record. Put it on the same bill as Wiggins and Pokerface.

Great shout. The hour record is making a bit of noise, and what better way for British Cycling to give women's cycling equal billing?

Chuck in Dame Sarah whilst you're at it, I'd assume she'd be a dead cert in her classification?

Anyone in her category would be a dead cert. No one has ever done it. In fact, there are no Paracycling Hour records for women attempted. Several for men and tandems though.

Pokerface

Omar Little wrote:

It is possible for the power meter data to be transmitted to the coach in the centre of the track, there is a poster on BR who has this set up (i think his coach might post on here too), i dont think it is against the rules to then have the coach say whether to go easier or harder based on that data.

Although with it being such a controlled environment then split times are really effective for pacing purposes so there probably isnt much advantage to be gained having realtime power numbers.

Is it possible? Yes. Is it relevant? No.

Splits are more relevant really. Power fluctuates a fair bit depending on which part of the track you're riding on (straights vs bends).

FocusZing

I would like to see a recumbent with a top rider give it a try.

inseine

FocusZing wrote:

I would like to see a recumbent with a top rider give it a try.

Well the current record is pretty good at over 56......................miles!

No_Ta_Doctor

Daz555 wrote:

RichN95 wrote:

So in summary - if you're asking why the likes of Voigt and Brandle are having a go - it's because you don't put Led Zeppelin on at six o'clock.

What time are The Jam on?

Mad_Malx wrote:

I'm worried that the Style Council will turn up instead.

cougie

FocusZing wrote:

I would like to see a recumbent with a top rider give it a try.

Wilko rode his end to end recumbent at Manchester once. I think you'd need a bigger track to use the higher speed it can cruise at.

RichN95.

cougie wrote:

FocusZing wrote:

I would like to see a recumbent with a top rider give it a try.

Wilko rode his end to end recumbent at Manchester once. I think you'd need a bigger track to use the higher speed it can cruise at.

Looking at YouTube the World Records seem to be done on car companies' test tracks. The laps are a few miles long.

frenchfighter

RichN95 wrote:

Right now the Hour Record seems a bit like a music festival.

- First on the bill is the old reliable favourite - not that great any more, but they get the crowd going
- Then there's the obscure cult act that had that song a couple of months ago
- Then you get a couple of bands that have had a decent album or two, they'll do a good set but they haven't really nailed their show yet.
- Then you get second on the bill. They're really good performers, but not festival regulars so you don't quite how it's going to go.
- And then finally the headline act - Brit Pop superstars who did loads of festivals before they got really big. Great when they're on form, but sometimes they just can't be bothered. Will they rise to the occasion and do a set that won't be topped for years?


So in summary - if you're asking why the likes of Voigt and Brandle are having a go - it's because you don't put Led Zeppelin on at six o'clock.

Perfect

I wouldn't be surprised to see Wiggins and Big Tone come close to 60km.

inseine

frenchfighter wrote:

RichN95 wrote:

Right now the Hour Record seems a bit like a music festival.

- First on the bill is the old reliable favourite - not that great any more, but they get the crowd going
- Then there's the obscure cult act that had that song a couple of months ago
- Then you get a couple of bands that have had a decent album or two, they'll do a good set but they haven't really nailed their show yet.
- Then you get second on the bill. They're really good performers, but not festival regulars so you don't quite how it's going to go.
- And then finally the headline act - Brit Pop superstars who did loads of festivals before they got really big. Great when they're on form, but sometimes they just can't be bothered. Will they rise to the occasion and do a set that won't be topped for years?


So in summary - if you're asking why the likes of Voigt and Brandle are having a go - it's because you don't put Led Zeppelin on at six o'clock.

Perfect

I wouldn't be surprised to see Wiggins and Big Tone come close to 60km.

That's a bit of a stretch. They don't get near that in the 4k pursuit. I know it's from a standing start but still.

Pokerface

Intersting. Latest report I just read is that Wiggins may have a go in the Palma velodrome. Which is where I do the majority of my track training. It's not particularly fast, although in July/August the heat may help quite a bit.

Daz555

Pokerface wrote:

Intersting. Latest report I just read is that Wiggins may have a go in the Palma velodrome. Which is where I do the majority of my track training. It's not particularly fast, although in July/August the heat may help quite a bit.

I have no doubt Wiggo will do it once. With Brit cycling and Sky on the case we can assume he'll do it in the place which is fastest.

I reckon Wiggo will nudge past 55....just.

Daz555

Pokerface wrote:

Intersting. Latest report I just read is that Wiggins may have a go in the Palma velodrome. Which is where I do the majority of my track training. It's not particularly fast, although in July/August the heat may help quite a bit.

I have no doubt Wiggo will do it once. With Brit cycling and Sky on the case we can assume he'll do it in the place which is fastest.

I reckon Wiggo will nudge past 55....just.

tonyf34

Daz555 wrote:

Pokerface wrote:

Intersting. Latest report I just read is that Wiggins may have a go in the Palma velodrome. Which is where I do the majority of my track training. It's not particularly fast, although in July/August the heat may help quite a bit.

I have no doubt Wiggo will do it once. With Brit cycling and Sky on the case we can assume he'll do it in the place which is fastest.

I reckon Wiggo will nudge past 55....just.

So still short of Boardman's 56+, I'm not seeing how Boardman's isn't the target (aside from the UCI's arbitrary rules)There certainly isn't a huge difference in position and I'd say the extra stretched out position is more harmful stress wise than beneficial aero wise, add in superior bike and Boardman riding on today's bikes would be easily over 57..

FJS

tonyf34 wrote:

Daz555 wrote:

Pokerface wrote:

Intersting. Latest report I just read is that Wiggins may have a go in the Palma velodrome. Which is where I do the majority of my track training. It's not particularly fast, although in July/August the heat may help quite a bit.

I have no doubt Wiggo will do it once. With Brit cycling and Sky on the case we can assume he'll do it in the place which is fastest.

I reckon Wiggo will nudge past 55....just.

So still short of Boardman's 56+, I'm not seeing how Boardman's isn't the target (aside from the UCI's arbitrary rules)There certainly isn't a huge difference in position and I'd say the extra stretched out position is more harmful stress wise than beneficial aero wise, add in superior bike and Boardman riding on today's bikes would be easily over 57..

I'm no expert on track riding and TT positions, but Obree's, Boardman's and Moser's veteran distances suggest the superman position gives a significant advantage. I'd say Rominger's 53.8 is the target

rick_chasey

Am I the only one who's with Cancellara and have lost some interest when the rules were revised?

I was quite looking forward to Cancellara doing it ala Merckx...

Remember hearing Boardman complain about how tough it was to ride in that position.

Paul 8v

Can he still do it on the merckx bike in that category? From what I understood it was pretty much ready to roll. Keith Bontrager had designed special wheels for it with super thin spokes. I wonder if it will ever see the light of day?

Daz555

tonyf34 wrote:

I'd say the extra stretched out position is more harmful stress wise than beneficial aero wise..

As Boardman chose that position for his hour record I suspect he knows that the aero benefit IS worth it. He was also on a bleeding edge bike - are today's double diamond frames as aero as the Lotus? Anyone know?

Daz555

Boardman looks very slippery here. As does the Lotus.



Wiggo for comparison.

RichN95.

Daz555 wrote:

tonyf34 wrote:

I'd say the extra stretched out position is more harmful stress wise than beneficial aero wise..

As Boardman chose that position for his hour record I suspect he knows that the aero benefit IS worth it. He was also on a bleeding edge bike - are today's double diamond frames as aero as the Lotus? Anyone know?

Michael Hutchinson talked about this in his book Faster. He had tested one of the Boardman Lotus frames in a wind tunnel and said that it was worse than modern TT frames - but only by a small amount.

mrushton

Pokerface wrote:

Intersting. Latest report I just read is that Wiggins may have a go in the Palma velodrome. Which is where I do the majority of my track training. It's not particularly fast, although in July/August the heat may help quite a bit.

Be nicer if it was Mcr or begrudgingly London. Getting the hour whilst wearing UCI stripes - that makes a great photo to look at in years to come.

Pokerface

mrushton wrote:

Pokerface wrote:

Intersting. Latest report I just read is that Wiggins may have a go in the Palma velodrome. Which is where I do the majority of my track training. It's not particularly fast, although in July/August the heat may help quite a bit.

Be nicer if it was Mcr or begrudgingly London. Getting the hour whilst wearing UCI stripes - that makes a great photo to look at in years to come.

I'm sure some boffin at the UCI would object to Wiggo wearing the stripes whilst riding on the track. Although, there is a strong argument to be made for it being a TT of sorts!

FJS

RichN95 wrote:

Daz555 wrote:

tonyf34 wrote:

I'd say the extra stretched out position is more harmful stress wise than beneficial aero wise..

As Boardman chose that position for his hour record I suspect he knows that the aero benefit IS worth it. He was also on a bleeding edge bike - are today's double diamond frames as aero as the Lotus? Anyone know?

Michael Hutchinson talked about this in his book Faster. He had tested one of the Boardman Lotus frames in a wind tunnel and said that it was worse than modern TT frames - but only by a small amount.

Interesting. Don't have the book. Was that because of the 'superman' position itself, or the built of the bike at that time? Basically, would an up to date superman position bike not still be considerably faster?

shinyhelmut

He was referring to the Burrows Lotus frame specifically I think.

Daz555

Looking at Boardman's lid - looks like one of those aero-only affairs - ie no safety benefit whatsoever. Modern helmet is much larger and must cost a fair few watts.

RichN95.

FJS wrote:

Interesting. Don't have the book. Was that because of the 'superman' position itself, or the built of the bike at that time? Basically, would an up to date superman position bike not still be considerably faster?

It was just the frame. Nothing to do with the rider's position. (And as someone has noted, it was a 1992 Olympic frame)

No_Ta_Doctor

Paul 8v wrote:

Can he still do it on the merckx bike in that category? From what I understood it was pretty much ready to roll. Keith Bontrager had designed special wheels for it with super thin spokes. I wonder if it will ever see the light of day?

This is where the whole "Merckx bike" thing falls down. It's a far superior bike to Merckx's, it just looks a bit similar. That's why "UCI legal" is better - it's more honest.

Paul 8v

Unless you just said, "Right, you have to use 1970s Campagnolo pista gear and other equipment from the time period or made with the materials and techniques available. Like L'Eroica

thegibdog

They should really also make sure that anyone attempting the 'Merckx' record has previously fractured their vertebra and twisted their pelvis to make it properly fair...

Daz555

thegibdog wrote:

They should really also make sure that anyone attempting the 'Merckx' record has previously fractured their vertebra and twisted their pelvis to make it properly fair...

... And chucked a some speed down their neck as well to be safe.

shinyhelmut

Back to Brändle's record; some close ups of his plasma

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Tri_Bike_by_brand/Scott/The_1-hour_record_Scott_Plasma_4721.html