I would also like to add that rules of thumb will get you a long way.
I've never tested anything but just went off the ramblings of the gurus here and my base run (current setup, no changes) was .225.
Once I started making changes, the lowest I saw was just under .220...like .217 or something and that was simply from going from a Med to a Small tri top. I tried all kinds of things but my massive (chick magnet) guns would just not allow me to get much lower.
I was also not willing to change my fit for the testing. I've tried going lower and it was unsustainable so knowing that fact really sped up the testing process. I would say before going testing, figure out what you are willing to change first regardless of aero or not as it will save a lot of time. I've worked on my fit for some time and know what works and what doesn't.
BUT....some huge things I learned was what hydration setups were neutral and what were not. I was able to test a ton of different setups and figure out what options I had available to me without impacting me too much. That was SUPER info to have. So it's not always about lowering your CdA a bunch but often what impact different decisions in your setup have.
I was also able to validate my current setup. Oh...and I learned my skin suit for time trialing was SLOWER than my trip top because it fit like shit. It was the smallest size I could fit into. BUT, it still wrinkled in the shoulders. So, because I have to ride in a team kit, I only have two options, tri top in a TT (which is lame) or have the suit custom tailored.
-------------------------------
I'm faster in Kilometers!
Wattie Ink Triathlon Team
Powered by Accelerate 3
I've never tested anything but just went off the ramblings of the gurus here and my base run (current setup, no changes) was .225.
Once I started making changes, the lowest I saw was just under .220...like .217 or something and that was simply from going from a Med to a Small tri top. I tried all kinds of things but my massive (chick magnet) guns would just not allow me to get much lower.
I was also not willing to change my fit for the testing. I've tried going lower and it was unsustainable so knowing that fact really sped up the testing process. I would say before going testing, figure out what you are willing to change first regardless of aero or not as it will save a lot of time. I've worked on my fit for some time and know what works and what doesn't.
BUT....some huge things I learned was what hydration setups were neutral and what were not. I was able to test a ton of different setups and figure out what options I had available to me without impacting me too much. That was SUPER info to have. So it's not always about lowering your CdA a bunch but often what impact different decisions in your setup have.
I was also able to validate my current setup. Oh...and I learned my skin suit for time trialing was SLOWER than my trip top because it fit like shit. It was the smallest size I could fit into. BUT, it still wrinkled in the shoulders. So, because I have to ride in a team kit, I only have two options, tri top in a TT (which is lame) or have the suit custom tailored.
-------------------------------
I'm faster in Kilometers!
Wattie Ink Triathlon Team
Powered by Accelerate 3