I ride a 2007 Focus Tri bike that I've been fit on (one of those video ones, and it was an awesome gift!). I have stock front wheel, and a hefty 32-spoke rear with my PT, so nothing special there. The bike has SRAM force, 10-speed, and I keep it pretty spotless, so it shifts awesome. Yes, I'm heavy, yes, I need to ride more. My FTP is 230 (which is sadly my current weight, since I had a heart attack last year!). But my speed seems to be far lower than others. I've always figured that getting really aero is for the guys that are trying to get from 24mph to 26... My 70.3 pace is only 19mph, so I figured the benefits of great wheels, aero helmet, latex tubes, etc. don't reall apply to me.
Before I try and buy speed with a new $4,000 bike, I need a reality check. Maybe my current bike is just fine for a few AGer races each year, and I should drop weight and work harder. If I dropped coin on a cool ride, but had only a marginal increase, I'd be pretty bummed. No goals of Kona qualifying, but if I'm limiting myself with hardware, I'll write the check.
Interestingly, my fastest 70.3 I averaged 20mph on a steel bike, a clip on aerobar and a borrowed disk. I was way fitter and ended up 5:19 with a blazing run at Vineman (okay, 7:30 pace for me was pretty awesome, don't judge). Yet last year, I was just under 19mph on a bike 10x more expensive, but almost 20 years older....
Suck it up and train? Or do I really have an equipment issue?
Michael
Before I try and buy speed with a new $4,000 bike, I need a reality check. Maybe my current bike is just fine for a few AGer races each year, and I should drop weight and work harder. If I dropped coin on a cool ride, but had only a marginal increase, I'd be pretty bummed. No goals of Kona qualifying, but if I'm limiting myself with hardware, I'll write the check.
Interestingly, my fastest 70.3 I averaged 20mph on a steel bike, a clip on aerobar and a borrowed disk. I was way fitter and ended up 5:19 with a blazing run at Vineman (okay, 7:30 pace for me was pretty awesome, don't judge). Yet last year, I was just under 19mph on a bike 10x more expensive, but almost 20 years older....
Suck it up and train? Or do I really have an equipment issue?
Michael