I’ve been reading many of the posts from recent threads about the necessity of aero equipment and the advantages of Brand A over Brand B and I figured it’s time I tossed my hat into the ring.
I get amused at the endless debate over a lot of the equipment with many of the forum members. It seems there are certain "rules" of this forum and that by deviating from them, you are an outsider. Rule One, you need a Cervelo, anything else is a compromise. Second, Zipp and Hed wheels are the only way to go. Heaven forbid someone ride anything that does not come from those two. Third, Powercranks make you go faster than anything else.
I’m sorry, but my opinion, which is based on nearly 20 years of competitive cycling, is that it’s talent, fitness and using your head that gets you to the line first. Sure, some bikes "may" be more aero than others, but if you can’t TT at over 26MPH, then I suggest you train more (and smarter) and spend less time debating crosswind angles on aero tubes and moment of inertia on wheels. It’s the ability to put the power to the ground, people.
I’m no retrogrouch, I love bikes and all the cool new stuff. But, think about this, look at Lemond’s front wheel on his famous last day TT in the ’89 tour. It’s a tiny little aero rim. A wheel I bet many on this form would not even train on. Yet, he averaged 35 MPH on that aero dog.
Better that you take your spare time and train and use your money to race more, and get a good coach. I bet you’ll see more improvement that way than dropping $4k on an exotic bike. I see it every year at the local TT’s. Guys showing up with the most expensive stuff money can buy, and then just crawl down the course.
I’m not saying you don’t deserve to buy this stuff or you are a poser or anything like that. This is just my piece of advice from a guy that’s been racing bicycles for nearly twenty years. In all of those years, and that includes a lot of time trials, I can tell you with 100% honesty that my equipment was never my limiting factor.
This is not flame bait or to insult those who own Cervelos with Zipps and Powercranks. What I’m trying to say is that don’t lose sight of what this really is, a sport. WHen it's all said and done, it still boils down to the athlete.
That’s all I got to say about that.
AL
I get amused at the endless debate over a lot of the equipment with many of the forum members. It seems there are certain "rules" of this forum and that by deviating from them, you are an outsider. Rule One, you need a Cervelo, anything else is a compromise. Second, Zipp and Hed wheels are the only way to go. Heaven forbid someone ride anything that does not come from those two. Third, Powercranks make you go faster than anything else.
I’m sorry, but my opinion, which is based on nearly 20 years of competitive cycling, is that it’s talent, fitness and using your head that gets you to the line first. Sure, some bikes "may" be more aero than others, but if you can’t TT at over 26MPH, then I suggest you train more (and smarter) and spend less time debating crosswind angles on aero tubes and moment of inertia on wheels. It’s the ability to put the power to the ground, people.
I’m no retrogrouch, I love bikes and all the cool new stuff. But, think about this, look at Lemond’s front wheel on his famous last day TT in the ’89 tour. It’s a tiny little aero rim. A wheel I bet many on this form would not even train on. Yet, he averaged 35 MPH on that aero dog.
Better that you take your spare time and train and use your money to race more, and get a good coach. I bet you’ll see more improvement that way than dropping $4k on an exotic bike. I see it every year at the local TT’s. Guys showing up with the most expensive stuff money can buy, and then just crawl down the course.
I’m not saying you don’t deserve to buy this stuff or you are a poser or anything like that. This is just my piece of advice from a guy that’s been racing bicycles for nearly twenty years. In all of those years, and that includes a lot of time trials, I can tell you with 100% honesty that my equipment was never my limiting factor.
This is not flame bait or to insult those who own Cervelos with Zipps and Powercranks. What I’m trying to say is that don’t lose sight of what this really is, a sport. WHen it's all said and done, it still boils down to the athlete.
That’s all I got to say about that.
AL