Talk him into 404 rear 303 front maybe =)
But yeah, deep wheels up front are just fine, until they aren't, and then it is really bad.
Andreas Klier (formerly a Cervelo TestTeam pro) agrees with you. I was recommending the 404s even on the mountain stages, but he explained to me that for him, in the autobus, the critical moments aren't on the flats or uphills (the autobus keeps reasonable tempo so the group can stay together), it's the descents. There are often a lot of sprinters in this group, who are typically heavier and have good bike handling skills, so they try to bomb the down hills as fast as possible to make up time when they can.
Andreas told me, coming around a switchback, there can sometimes be gusts. On a deeper wheel, he might have to touch the brakes to avoid going off the edge of the road - and lose the wheel in front. Then he would feel tempted to "ease up" in the next corners, possibly falling off the back and facing a looong ride to the finish alone.
So he chose the 202s in these stages, not for climbing, but for handling on the descents.
It was surprising to me at the time, but it made sense when he explained it.
Cheers,
Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
But yeah, deep wheels up front are just fine, until they aren't, and then it is really bad.
damon_rinard wrote:
Hi Aaron, Andreas Klier (formerly a Cervelo TestTeam pro) agrees with you. I was recommending the 404s even on the mountain stages, but he explained to me that for him, in the autobus, the critical moments aren't on the flats or uphills (the autobus keeps reasonable tempo so the group can stay together), it's the descents. There are often a lot of sprinters in this group, who are typically heavier and have good bike handling skills, so they try to bomb the down hills as fast as possible to make up time when they can.
Andreas told me, coming around a switchback, there can sometimes be gusts. On a deeper wheel, he might have to touch the brakes to avoid going off the edge of the road - and lose the wheel in front. Then he would feel tempted to "ease up" in the next corners, possibly falling off the back and facing a looong ride to the finish alone.
So he chose the 202s in these stages, not for climbing, but for handling on the descents.
It was surprising to me at the time, but it made sense when he explained it.
Cheers,
Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter