I rode my Flo90s front and rear for two years, and I never got used to it. I’m older, and 150 lbs skinny ass. In Kansas, 20+ mph winds are pretty normal, almost daily. The wheel would stall in cross winds. When it happens, you are holding a lot of pressure against the wind, then WHAM… nothing, and you can be off the road and crashing quicker than my old brain and aging balance, and reactions could handle. I put the 90’s in the closet, took my 50’s off my road bike, and put them on my tri bike, and got some 32’s for my road bike, and enjoy riding in the wind much better.
I ride 90s front and rear on my Shiv. The front can get squirrelly; you just need to practice with it. If you are of the mindset that you ride training wheels during training, and only ride the 90s during racing, then I would encourage a 60 front, as it takes some practice to get used to the 90 upfront. Mine are definitely a handful in crosswinds, but are manageable if you ride with them a fair amount in training. The scariest bit can be when you are descending rather quickly with trees on both sides and then emerge into an open area where the crosswinds can come upon you quickly. I often descend on the bull horns rather than in the aerobars for that reason. But, like I said, it is mostly a matter of riding them and getting to know how they feel in a variety of conditions, and then you can be confident with them in a race situation.
You guys keep riding your 90 fronts. Looks cool and that counts.
Besides, being all over the road prevents others from drafting you.
Riding the extra distance and spending extra energy to keep that bike upright is a testimony to your skills and fitness.
And descending on the bullhorns is mighty aero.
Just stay the hell away from me when doing it!
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dude, if we’re going down a hill at 45-55mph and you’re not on the bullhorns, I’m not sure I want *you *next to me. Too many things can happen too fast at that speed to not be near a brake. I want to go to work on Monday rather than save 10-15s staying aero going downhill, but that’s just me being over cautious. 10 years ago it might have been a different story.
dude, if we’re going down a hill at 45-55mph and you’re not on the bullhorns, I’m not sure I want *you *next to me. Too many things can happen too fast at that speed to not be near a brake. I want to go to work on Monday rather than save 10-15s staying aero going downhill, but that’s just me being over cautious. 10 years ago it might have been a different story.
Your brakes likely won’t save you at that speeds anyway if something goes wrong. Steering may, and a tri bike is more stable to steering and braking input if you got your weight balanced out (see all the high-siding incidents).
So yes, I really wouldn’t want to be near someone who’s clutching the brakes during a high speed descent.
Plus drafting is against the rules anyways, isn’t it?
Being in a ‘passing position’ in gusty crosswinds at that point in time, that’s what I am worried about.
Ever been hit by a real strong crosswind, like when coming down from Hawi?
If not, watch the coverage from a many years back. Skilled riders all over the road.
Your bullhorns won’t prevent you from having your bike literally jump a couple feet to the side in an instant before you can even provide any steering/braking input.
So we are good. You keep your line and I keep mine.
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I am fairly light and have no issues riding a 90 mm on the front on most conditions. Bike handling skills also come into play. I have seen some junior girls TTing on 90s on front with no issues and 180 lbs guys struggling with them. FYI, many people claim that a 90/disk is more stable than a 90/90. If you aren’t sure about your handling skills, go with a 60/90 or 60/disc combination, you will get almost all possible aerodynamic savings at a lower stability issues risk.