Yep halfords c2w along with a 2 up trailer for the nursery run. They will both get used on the commute (if I'm racing that evening) but not at the same time!
Pickup should be Friday.
Debating which wheelset to use I have cosmic sls in the loft and 404s on the Sunday bike....will the comics be that much slower?
Eyeing up tri spokes on planetx...
It might be threadlocked. Try heating the bolt a bit with a soldering iron.
Hmm well one side is plastic so going at it with a soldering iron might not be the best idea. Might attack it with a dremel.
Debating which wheelset to use I have cosmic sls in the loft and 404s on the Sunday bike....will the comics be that much slower?
[img] 
[/img]
I don't think the Cosmic's are regarded as a particularly good aero choice.
Eyeing up tri spokes on planetx...
I'd stick with the 404 unless I had evidence that the PX tri spoke was quicker.
Eyeing up tri spokes on planetx.
What you put on the front doesn't matter as much, and your Zipp 404's would be a very good choice. IF you want more speed, look for either a used disc (£600), an 808 to match logos 8) or a Hed Jet 9 (about £350). Covering a 90mm deep section wheel is my strategy, but as you can see, there isn't a huge amount to be gained, and in some instances a disc is not as fast.
Going too deep on the front can be a mistake if you are not a heavy rider, as the bike can be unduly affected by cross winds.
I reckon MrBlobby works at the Met Office 😆
That was the wettest I've been in a long time!! Literally had to wring my socks out afterwards.
Anyway, TT done. It was strange!! Time absolutely flew by. And it never really hurt- it was just a battle against the numbers.
Pacing was awful. Finished a bit too strong I'd say. 306w average, 307w weighted.
[img] 
[/img]
The second quarter has the downhill and the roundabout hence the low figures.
Stayed in the drops the whole way but there's not really room to hide my sizeable frame behind my Garmin 😀
What you put on the front doesn't matter as much
Complete nonsense. Front wheel aerodynamics matters much more than the rear where airflow is much more turbulent. Even the wrong tyre on the front makes a difference.
A disc is always faster... you'll notice that all the manufacturers that claim their deep wheel option is faster than a disc don't happen to make a disc 🙂
Is that graph for a pair of wheels or just comparing the rear?
Deep in thought during warmup
[img] 
[/img]
Just sitting back down after my sprint for the line...
[img] 
[/img]
DT, I'd assume wheel only.
Complete nonsense
+1 🙂
A disc is always faster... you'll notice that all the manufacturers that claim their deep wheel option is faster than a disc don't happen to make a disc
... and that the Pro teams they sponsor pretty much always use some other manufacturers debadged disc for time trials (debadged Lightweights are a common sight.)
Obviously going from an open pro to a 900 mm deep section will have an improvement on the front. What I meant was that choice of front wheel is insensitive once you've gone to deep section, and the 404 is already aero. Plenty of riders have given up on 900 mm front wheels because what you gain in aero, you lose in bike handling due to side winds. If you are light, this is a real concern.
As for discs, I'd agree they are always faster, unless it's a very hilly course and weight is going to play a sizeable contribution to power requirements. All things being equal, I'd get a disc.
Well done CH!
I might pop to Hillingdon tomorrow and see what I can do over 11 laps 😆
There is a Westerley Wednesday segment that starts immediately opposite the clubhouse and is 11 laps anti-clockwise. You'll see it listed on your Winter Series races.
And yes CH that was a text book first TT. You were supposed to go off at max heart rate, hard as you can, blow up and die on the way back 😉
The Wednesday TTs are a lot of fun, and a great place to learn about pacing.
26.22 official time and 9th out of 15 starters.
This isn't going to be a regular occurrence (famous last words as the new TT bike appears 😀 ) but I can definitely see how you get into it- mostly by laying in the bath saying "Shoulda, woulda, coulda.... " 😆
Great, is it a standing start TiRed?
I'll be using my disc cx bike so not expecting sub 28 mins lol
There's no one cutting you up in TT'ing so no excuses I guess...
I don't think it counts as a real British TT without potholes, lorries, angry commuters and getting changed in a cold layby 😆
First evening TT of the season for me tonight. Due to logistics (my OH needs the car) I'm riding straight out from work so I'm on the road bike rather than the TT bike (I'm not commuting on aero bars and a disc wheel!). I'm just going to use it to refamiliarise myself with the course, catch up with people and set a crap handicap to improve on next time 😉
I don't think it counts as a real British TT without potholes, lorries, angry commuters and getting changed in a cold layby
A natural Alf Engers in the making. 😆
Check out this Engers film promo
1:15 - look at his position - and check the gear he's pushing. 😯
I'm not commuting on aero bars and a disc wheel!
Why not? I do. I keep my TT and other race bikes in the office when I bring them in, but I do at least cover up the skin suit with a "jersey of modesty" and not wear the pointy hat, so as not to offend my colleagues sense of decency.
My frame was filet brazed by Alf Engers's builder, Barry Chick 8) . That will be my only TT claim to fame.
So apparently Engers rode a 56-12 for the 49:24. 😯
You should wear the skinsuit and lid for commuting. And get a little beeper to use when your stopped in a bunch at the lights.
Deep breaths.
Band the front wheel up and down a couple of times.
beep beep beep beep beep GO!!
.. then casually clip in and saunter off to work.
Complete nonsense. Front wheel aerodynamics matters much more than the rear where airflow is much more turbulent. Even the wrong tyre on the front makes a difference.A disc is always faster... you'll notice that all the manufacturers that claim their deep wheel option is faster than a disc don't happen to make a disc
Actually Reynolds make a 92mm deep Carbon Clincher and a disc and they claim that their CC is faster. I often think it might be so as not to put triantelopes off? Whatever the case, my disc (Citec) certainly [i]feels[/i] faster than my Reynolds Aero 92.
Anyway, I'll stop being an annoying pedant now...
At this time of year most people in my club use their road bikes in an attempt to get a softer handicap for the points competition 😉
I can't keep the bike in the office and I'm not leaving the TT bike outside (I worried enough about my powertap pedals today!) I have however been known to commute in a skinsuit with a jersey over the top (most of the time my OH will drive over with my TT bike and I'll ride out on my commuter and meet him there, it's just that today he was riding elsewhere).
Anyway, that was my fastest non-aero time round the course, not that I've done it on the road bike too often. I also set a new max 20 minute power figure 🙂
And as we were waiting for the start a Team Sky car came past and gave us a bit of horn based encouragement 🙂
It was prob the Team Sky bus driver from last year and he was probably telling you to get out of the damn road. 😆
They slowed down, waved and did a bit of a tune with the horn, definitely friendly horn rather than angry horn! 🙂
So picked up boardman and on the turbo Couple of questions.
Not used bar end shifters before. Is the rear shifter normally very stiff? This is like 2 finger stiff. I was expecting minimum effort to maintain position
The r bend vision trimax bar doesn't seem very adjustable. I am used to 'bracing' against a j bend. Probably bad form but I can't see any easy way of really gripping a r bend. Do you just basically rest on it rather than grip it properly?
Any good resources to research to get a starting body position?
So picked up boardman and on the turbo Couple of questions.Not used bar end shifters before. Is the rear shifter normally very stiff? This is like 2 finger stiff. I was expecting minimum effort to maintain position
The r bend vision trimax bar doesn't seem very adjustable. I am used to 'bracing' against a j bend. Probably bad form but I can't see any easy way of really gripping a r bend. Do you just basically rest on it rather than grip it properly?
Any good resources to research to get a starting body position?
My bar end shifters (Dura Ace) do require a firm push to change gear (and there is a solid click when it moves). I tend to have my thumb over the top and my index finger underneath. The front shifter is quite nice and smooth in comparison. So I think what you describe is normal.
I had r bends when I first started, didn't like them at all - the wrist position was very unnatural - so I quickly swapped for j bends. Like you I also brace off the j bends at times so they are much better. Bear in mind that when you un-do bar end shifters you have to turn the opposite way to expected. If you do them up too tight then you won't be able to get them out and you will have to buy a new set (I speak from experience here!)
With regards body position, I would say just spend a month getting used to the bike and aerobars first, but always think about your position when riding. The two most important things are to shrug your shoulders up (i.e squeeze them together to reduce frontal area) and to get your head as low as possible. Notice that is just the head and not the whole upper body - a low head is more important that being super low at the front. Obviously that stands within reason - there's no point being on the extensions and still having your body at 70 degrees to the horizontal. But in the first instance dont worry too much, just set the bars reasonably (comfortably) low and then focus on practicing a shrug while keeping the head as low as possible. You should be looking through your eyebrows. But at the same time make sure the tail of your helmet does not start to stick up into the wind, it must remain flat to the back. A good position takes many months, if not longer, to perfect and then hold (certainly at distances over 10 miles) so don't try to do too much all at once - build it up slowly. Just remember, head down, shoulders up.
Good advice Jamz re position. Its my first season on a full on TT bike (used my roadbike with clip ons last year) and I'm slowly getting there. I'm finding that there's a tipping point when it comes to aero v power. It's all very well being slippery as an eel but if you can't put the power out you maybe slower. Likewise other way is the same. A clubmate of mine is a prime example of this. He regularly puts out over 400w for a 10 (no joke, the guy is a monster) but although faster than me he admits himself he should be putting out faster times so maybe have to forgoe some of that immense power for a more aero position.
Bit off topic but I'm thinking of getting a nopinz pocket retrofitted to my Bioracer suit. Noticed there's two options available, a internal pocket that you put your number in from the inside and an external one. What's the general feeling on what to go for ?
I'm coming late to this thread.
I'm riding the Ipswich and District Cycling Association TTs. They had a couple of 5mile warm-up rounds and on Tues we had the 2nd of the 10s.
I was fairly pleased with my times in 2015 (road bike with tribars) although it's fair to say I was never near the top of the time sheet, however I broke my neck at the end of the year and spent most of last year recovering. In fact I've only been feeling comfortable in a roady position since late Feb this year, and I'm having to ride without the tribars as that position still hurts.
It's fair to say I've lost a lot of pace... 🙂
My main aim is to use the TTs as a way of rebuilding strength and confidence, hopefully seeing my performance improve through the season, although I've no aspirations of being as quick as I was... For the time being, at least.
however I broke my neck at the end of the year and spent most of last year recovering.
Christ. That's nasty. Glad you're on the mend.
A clubmate of mine is a prime example of this. He regularly puts out over 400w for a 10 (no joke, the guy is a monster)
I know how you feel. One of my clubmates was smashing over 400 for our club 10s last year. I was 2nd overall on scratch for 4 counters, but he was putting nearly a minute into me some weeks. 😥 He reckons his training is on target for 440 this year. 😯 He is 6'7 though.
What's the general feeling on what to go for ?
Go for the internal one unless you think you're really going to have a problem getting the number in. If you're happy taking off the top of your skinsuit when you're standing around in a layby, you should be able to slip the number in yourself. If you can't do that, then you may find your fellow competitors are a little less likely to help rummage around the inside of your.clothing than they are to help pin on the outside. 😆
DT78 - Member
So picked up boardman and on the turbo Couple of questions.Not used bar end shifters before. Is the rear shifter normally very stiff? This is like 2 finger stiff. I was expecting minimum effort to maintain position
You can loosen - not leave loose though - the small bolt on the side of the gear lever at the end of the bar which makes it a little easier. But mines the same.
Bit off topic but I'm thinking of getting a nopinz pocket retrofitted to my Bioracer suit. Noticed there's two options available, a internal pocket that you put your number in from the inside and an external one. What's the general feeling on what to go for ?
I would say external - so much easier to get the number in (well, easier to get someone else to do it). If you're regularly riding out to club events then that will make life simpler. You can get a number into an internal pocket whilst still wearing the suit, but it is certainly not easy, and you need to be flexible. Of course you can ask someone else to do it, so long as they're comfortable with ferreting around near your sweaty bum crack...
My main aim is to use the TTs as a way of rebuilding strength and confidence, hopefully seeing my performance improve through the season, although I've no aspirations of being as quick as I was... For the time being, at least.
Sounds bloody awful mate, I wish you all the best for the coming season. The good thing is you will have the satisfaction of seeing your PB plummet as you get fitter over the months ahead 😀
What's the general feeling on what to go for
I'd agree with external. Mine is internal and I can't put the number into the pocket easily whilst wearing the skinsuit. That makes sign-on a change-in-the-toilet affair. I won't be asking anyone else too either!
Oven liners arrived today, already marked out and cut to shape with a pair of scissors. I have to say that the teflon material looks ideal for a disc cover, not too stiff, cut well, easy to form. Just need to cut the holes for the hub and tape to the wheel. I won't bother removing wedge as it is already thin, unlike ABS. Could be £18 well-spent.
Sounds good.
I wonder if your powerpod is accurate/consistent enough to do some Chung testing and see if you can detect a drop in cda.
I can't wait to see those wheel coveres next Wednesday!
About to pop out for my powerpod calibration ride...
I can have a test at Hillingdon in the next 10-and-a-bit on Wednesday - or I could go and chase some points at the first Surrey league Vets race. Hmmm...
Believe it or not, I did manage to run the Cheung method using my Power[b]cal[/b] power data from heart rate, but I suspect that this might not be sensitive enough to detect changes - the power profiles per lap look very persuasive though and I think Powercal is sufficient for TT efforts based on 30 second averaging. But then Heart rate does a good job too 😉
Thanks all for the advice on the speedsuit pocket, I'll decide which way to go over the weekend.
Turned out OK, bit lumpy in places, despite duct taping inside, but easy valve access - can peel the join back on the NDS. 160g plus tape makes it lighter than a Hed Jet disc.
[img] 
?oh=9f655217d03fd2c899985ec376dfaee2&oe=5989C140[/img]
Any chance of the ripples fouling the mech in the largest cog? Could end up a bit of a disaster.
Anyone thinking of getting a speedpocket, it really isn't hard to unzip your suit and put a number in, it's easier than getting a number pinned on in a satisfactory way for sure
TiRed, superb bit of bodging. Is it taped to the spokes?
Anyone thinking of getting a speedpocket, it really isn't hard to unzip your suit and put a number in,
You must be a lot more flexible than I am 😯 Pretty much impossible for me to get a number into the pocket while wearing the suit. I even find it pretty tricky to get the number in properly when not wearing the suit!
Entered a 12hr
12hr?!
Re skinsuits what is worth a look that isn't silly money but would be better than a decent fitting castelli jersey and bibs
I have a Galibier chrono 4 skinsuit and its excellent for £70
Looks good value. How did it size up? 5 11 at 75-78kg I should probably be looking at the large?
Hmm. Im 5'11 and 3/4 73kg. I have a medium which would be the right height for you. I am a bit barrel chested and do have to do some breathing manoeuvres to get the zip over the bottom of my rib cage, but once over its fine
Entered a 12hr
Are you able to hold a good shrug for that distance? Does your position change compared to shorter distances?
I struggle to hold a good position for 10 miles, never mind any longer distances!
