@gabbiev - "logic isn't part of this discourse and too many extrapolate n=1 anecdotes as data." - ;-))
Gabbiev,in the Zell am See case - flat due to heat blowout, the # of competitors is 25 - 30, not n=1 as you can check easily in fotos. The problem with your logic is, you assume everyone uses perfectly tuned and suitable equipment (aluminium rims?) for races in the perfect pro way. My observation shows this is unfortunaltely not the case, not even in world championships, which is arguably the pinnacle of rider ability in triathlon. Riders in Zell had to deal with gear unsuitable for the conditions, while the steep downhill course and weather forcast was well publicized in advance.
So all I am trying to say - it is really circumstantial, and these are clear cases where you will obtain benefits with discs, even if they have a 15 watt penalty in the wind tunnel.
Sure, Sebastian Kienle or Jan Frodeno will handle this, no problem, with great bike skills and a mechanic tuning the bike and not being forced to brake for Slow Age groupers from other waves on the way down, but for the majority of competitors, especially the ones from the flatlands, this was difficult or should I say pretty scary?
So it would be logic in my world, to consider discs in certain conditions to enhance performance, but even more so with regard to increasing the safety of racers in such conditions.
Gabbiev,in the Zell am See case - flat due to heat blowout, the # of competitors is 25 - 30, not n=1 as you can check easily in fotos. The problem with your logic is, you assume everyone uses perfectly tuned and suitable equipment (aluminium rims?) for races in the perfect pro way. My observation shows this is unfortunaltely not the case, not even in world championships, which is arguably the pinnacle of rider ability in triathlon. Riders in Zell had to deal with gear unsuitable for the conditions, while the steep downhill course and weather forcast was well publicized in advance.
So all I am trying to say - it is really circumstantial, and these are clear cases where you will obtain benefits with discs, even if they have a 15 watt penalty in the wind tunnel.
Sure, Sebastian Kienle or Jan Frodeno will handle this, no problem, with great bike skills and a mechanic tuning the bike and not being forced to brake for Slow Age groupers from other waves on the way down, but for the majority of competitors, especially the ones from the flatlands, this was difficult or should I say pretty scary?
So it would be logic in my world, to consider discs in certain conditions to enhance performance, but even more so with regard to increasing the safety of racers in such conditions.
