I just want to thank those of you (jimatbeyond, exxxviii, spdntrxi, ericmpro, and others) for your continued encouragement to get a disc. I got the ENVE SES Disc last week, set it up tubeless this weekend, and took it out for my first race-rehearsal ride today. Second only to my power meter, it's the best equipment purchase I've ever made.The improvement it makes to the stability of the bike is just awesome, significantly more noticeable than I expected.
As many of you know, I've had some issues getting comfortable with the handling of my new Speedmax, to the point where I was falling off my power targets due to confidence rather than fitness. I just NAILED my workout today. I was hauling ass in aero, crushing out VO2 max repeats which normally would have had me sitting up on the base bars, comfortable, relaxed. It was awesome, and the first time I've really enjoyed going fast on the bike.
There was really no downside. Yes it accelerated a bit slower, but it also holds speed better (which I think is more important). It's like riding a trainer with a heavier flywheel vs a lighter one... the bike just rolls smoother. The bike does corner a bit differently -- it's sort of like the disc doesn't really flex as much in a hard corner and so you have to manage grip a bit more carefully, but I think that's something I'd get used to with some addition time on the wheel.
For others who come across this thread in the future -- if you're contemplating buying a disc and can afford it, just do it. Doesn't matter how fast/slow you are, whether you're aiming for the podium or just finishing. Discs just rock. I'm a convert. I plan to train and race on this thing exclusively through the end of the season (Santa Rosa 70.3 and Santa Cruz 70.3) and race a disc from here on out anytime the course/race director allows.
As many of you know, I've had some issues getting comfortable with the handling of my new Speedmax, to the point where I was falling off my power targets due to confidence rather than fitness. I just NAILED my workout today. I was hauling ass in aero, crushing out VO2 max repeats which normally would have had me sitting up on the base bars, comfortable, relaxed. It was awesome, and the first time I've really enjoyed going fast on the bike.
There was really no downside. Yes it accelerated a bit slower, but it also holds speed better (which I think is more important). It's like riding a trainer with a heavier flywheel vs a lighter one... the bike just rolls smoother. The bike does corner a bit differently -- it's sort of like the disc doesn't really flex as much in a hard corner and so you have to manage grip a bit more carefully, but I think that's something I'd get used to with some addition time on the wheel.
For others who come across this thread in the future -- if you're contemplating buying a disc and can afford it, just do it. Doesn't matter how fast/slow you are, whether you're aiming for the podium or just finishing. Discs just rock. I'm a convert. I plan to train and race on this thing exclusively through the end of the season (Santa Rosa 70.3 and Santa Cruz 70.3) and race a disc from here on out anytime the course/race director allows.