This piece just came out about the hookless drama, which seems reasonably neutral, discusses safety, and dispels what seems to be some ignorance brewing in the media hype cycle. (nice writing, Dan!). I have questions.
I was going to ask Dan a single follow-up question to the article but realized I had many more questions, some of which are probably better answered by some of the users of this forum. I would love to have facts presented with some indication of the confidence level in the answers given. Statements like "n=1" or "I'm an engineer specializing in carbon bicycle wheels" are helpful for personal context too. :)
First, I had two overarching questions which are what led me to the longer list of specific questions below.
Accordingly, here are some specific questions. I've written the questions as simply as possible. We could also add: "if so, by how much, how variable is it, how sure are we, and how did we come to those conclusions?" If answers are "it depends" and you can contribute, I'll be appreciative.
Bonus points if this thread serves as a good discussion place for future reasonable discussion on all things hookless vs hooked.
Relevant context on my experience and knowledge: I've taken 2-3 years off the race scene and am moving back in. I'm new to hookless, except for one ride on a borrowed bike, which went fine. I'm pretty new to this conversation. I've skimmed a few threads and articles and it's all still a bit murky to me if consensus is forming.
Dr. Alex Harrison | Founder & CEO | Sport Physiology & Performance PhD
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📱 Check out our app → Saturday: Pro Fuel & Hydration, a performance nutrition coach in your pocket.
Join us on YouTube → Saturday Morning | Ride & Run Faster and our growing Saturday User Hub
I was going to ask Dan a single follow-up question to the article but realized I had many more questions, some of which are probably better answered by some of the users of this forum. I would love to have facts presented with some indication of the confidence level in the answers given. Statements like "n=1" or "I'm an engineer specializing in carbon bicycle wheels" are helpful for personal context too. :)
First, I had two overarching questions which are what led me to the longer list of specific questions below.
- Market Curiosity: Does it seem to you that hookless is a sufficiently large step backwards in the non-riding parts of the user experience that the detriments outweigh the benefits too much for hookless to take off in the market completely like disc brakes did? Or is it just a matter of learning and time?
- Decision-driving: Do the tradeoffs lean in favor of me purchasing hookless for my wife's next race wheelset? (I don't race seriously and only use hand-me-down components from my wife).
Accordingly, here are some specific questions. I've written the questions as simply as possible. We could also add: "if so, by how much, how variable is it, how sure are we, and how did we come to those conclusions?" If answers are "it depends" and you can contribute, I'll be appreciative.
- Are hookless more aero?
- Do hookless create lower rolling resistance? (assuming optimized mounting and inflation of hookless and hooked)
- Do hookless weigh less?
- Do hookless offer traction benefits during cornering?
- Do hookless offer traction benefits during braking?
- How much more or less sealant do hookless tires use?
- Are hookless physically easier or more challenging or more involved to mount?
- Is the understanding that there are tighter tolerances to hookless inflation and mounting, than for hooked, an accurate understanding? Are the tighter tolerances going to matter much to me if I'm usually setting pressure to within 5-10psi of what I think is optimal, on a daily basis, and within 1-2psi of what I think is optimal on most race days? As in, if I'm already paying reasonable attention to pressure, do I just need to learn what pressures work and then it'll be the same workload for me?
- Is there ANY data on the rate of catastrophic tire or wheel failure while in use? Or is it all anecdote at the moment? Does that data even exist compiled somewhere for any other piece of tech specifically?
- If anyone has any data they care to share from "garage failures" of real humans doing real stupid things and experiencing bad outcomes, I'd love to see that. (probably would have to come from a tire or wheel manufacturers customer service department that is deciding it's good to be transparent here.)
- How much savings does hookless create for wheel manufacturers on a per-wheel basis? (ie. how much cost-savings could be passed to the consumer if they decided to optimize their systems for passing on savings to consumer for market reasons or otherwise, instead of spending the manufacturing cost savings on some other benefit in the wheel manufacturing process?)
Bonus points if this thread serves as a good discussion place for future reasonable discussion on all things hookless vs hooked.
Relevant context on my experience and knowledge: I've taken 2-3 years off the race scene and am moving back in. I'm new to hookless, except for one ride on a borrowed bike, which went fine. I'm pretty new to this conversation. I've skimmed a few threads and articles and it's all still a bit murky to me if consensus is forming.
Dr. Alex Harrison | Founder & CEO | Sport Physiology & Performance PhD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
📱 Check out our app → Saturday: Pro Fuel & Hydration, a performance nutrition coach in your pocket.
Join us on YouTube → Saturday Morning | Ride & Run Faster and our growing Saturday User Hub
Last edited by:
DrAlexHarrison: Mar 12, 24 10:18
