Questions regarding *wheels* and *racing*

Mark.Scp
Mark.Scp Posts: 514
edited May 2007 in Pro race
Hi all,

as the topic says, i have some questions about wheels and races...

At the moment i have some mavic cosmic elite wheels on the bike, although i am considering in investing in some corima aero+ wheels (see link)
http://tinyurl.com/2jld92

What benefits will these give me? Anyone got any experiences of these? Are they worth the price? If not, can you recommend some?

Secondly, i have a view of racing shortly - i have been upping the training over the past few months, so i believe i am at the standard to start 4th cat races. Ihave applied for a Silver BC membership and racing licence, along with races that i will b entering.

Any tips with regards to the pace changes during races (circuit races namely)?

P.S - is the overall positioning of the race done on the whole race or separated in to categories? or both?

Many thanks all

Mark
In sport, losing is the end of the world .....
la marmotte xD
In sport, losing is the end of the world .....
la marmotte xD

Comments

  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    It's done for the race overall so in a 234 you get nothing for being first 4th cat - you have to be up in the top 15 for points - sometimes there will be some money for first 4th but things like that are down to the organiser.
    Warning about well known bike shop removed at request of moderators.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • Mark.Scp
    Mark.Scp Posts: 514
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Tom Butcher</i>

    It's done for the race overall so in a 234 you get nothing for being first 4th cat - you have to be up in the top 15 for points - sometimes there will be some money for first 4th but things like that are down to the organiser.
    Warning about well known bike shop removed at request of moderators.
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

    ok, thx

    Mark
    In sport, losing is the end of the world .....
    la marmotte xD
    In sport, losing is the end of the world .....
    la marmotte xD
  • sylvanus
    sylvanus Posts: 1,125
    Your best bet is to go for a pure 4th cat race at for instance Hillingdon or Castle Combe. The Aero wheels will help but winning a 4th cat race is all about hiding from the wind then sprinting. I wouldn't worry about the wheels too much unless they really charge you up and help your confiidence. Racing is a lot of fun - hope you enjoy it!

    http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/artic ... 41/V/5/SP/
    http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/artic ... 04/V/5/SP/
    http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/artic ... 12/V/5/SP/
  • Mark.Scp
    Mark.Scp Posts: 514
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by sylvanus</i>

    Your best bet is to go for a pure 4th cat race at for instance Hillingdon or Castle Combe. The Aero wheels will help but winning a 4th cat race is all about hiding from the wind then sprinting. I wouldn't worry about the wheels too much unless they really charge you up and help your confiidence. Racing is a lot of fun - hope you enjoy it!

    http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/artic ... 41/V/5/SP/
    http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/artic ... 04/V/5/SP/
    http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/artic ... 12/V/5/SP/


    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

    Hi,

    i'm going along to castle combe, although it isnt a pure 4th cat race - it is a staggered start based on your category

    Mark
    In sport, losing is the end of the world .....
    la marmotte xD
    In sport, losing is the end of the world .....
    la marmotte xD
  • monty_dogcp
    monty_dogcp Posts: 382
    Aero wheels only make a significant benefit at higher speeds - only at 50kph plus is it really noticeable and usually only on the downhills - in a bunch it doesn't make much difference. For 4th cat races you also have to consider the consequences of a crash - carbon wheels ain't as strong and expensive to replace. Braking on carbon wheels in the wet is also less effective, so you have to be far more measured. As far as changes in pace, be ready for some big accelerations - big gear efforts to your max. For 4th cat circuit races, you're probably as well off with a sturdy pair of normal wheels and save the aero carbon wheels for longer, rolling courses - unless of course you're planning to spend a long time off the front?
  • greenmarkcp
    greenmarkcp Posts: 530
    Does anyone manage to get off the front in the crit races at Hillingdon and Castle Combe?

    From what I've seen and read in Cweekly, it seems that most races finish with a sprint. Would someone who's had more experience be able to say if this is so?

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