I am racing EagleMan in June, which is flat as a pancake. I am debating whether I should rent a Zipp 1080 for the rear or go with a disc. Disc is obviously faster, but by how much? Also, I am worried that I’ll rent the disc then show up on race day only to have there be 25 mph crosswinds and have been better off with the 1080. I have heard that generally EagleMan is not terribly windy but I would hate to risk it for only a 10-second advantage (or whatever the difference would be).
unless you are 100lbs I don’t think 25mph winds would phase you on a rear disc wheel.
you could get an 808 and a cover in case of 40mph winds =)
The disc is faster in crosswinds.
jaretj
Interesting - so I gather that any way you slice it, the disc is faster?
Pretty much…with that said, I use a Jet 90 only cuz I have a PT built into it. If it’s really windy I’ll use my PT training wheel with a cover.
I’ve done Eagleman before, use the disc.
jaretj
Interesting - so I gather that any way you slice it, the disc is faster?
until you fall over
or maybe up an 8% grade =)
.
Interesting - so I gather that any way you slice it, the disc is faster?
until you fall over
or maybe up an 8% grade =)
Hey, I don’t think you can say that unless you change your signature.
well thats why I say “unless it kills you”
.
If you are renting, you have to go with your preference. If you’re buying, I say go with a 1080, because it will serve you in high and low wind conditions. Actually, if you go on Zipp’s website, one of the most commonly recommended combos is a 404/1080. If you do HED’s. the best you could do is 60/90, until they make an 80 and a 100 instead of a 90.
If it’s windy, definitely race the disc. If it’s not so windy, race the disc anyway.
Thank you for jinxing it now…I’ll guess 20-30 MPH winds this year because you said it wasn’t windy.
Bob
I don’t care about whether a disc is better in the wind or catches a fart better than an 808. I care about someone jinxing Eagleman so that it’s now windy…I’ll bet someone last year said “EAgleman is never hot, usually mild”…Race day was 100 degrees.
Bob
If you’re in the 18-24 age group, you should definitely go with your training wheels. it’s very windy.
I know the course. Go with a 1080 upfront and a disc in the back. Don’t worry about the wind, worry about the freaking sun. Tim
Disc with solar panel surface and an electric hub!!
Don’t worry about the wind, worry about the freaking sun. Tim
i raced eagleman a few years ago with 404’s and WISHED i would’ve had my disc…
a better question is whether your lower back is prepared to stay aero for the entire bike leg. it’s been a while but i can’t recall a reason on the bike (other than perhaps aid stations) to get out of your aerobars. that course is like my girlfriend from freshman year, FLAT. oh yeah, and it’s hot and exposed…use LOTS of sunblock on your ears/back of your neck or you’ll get fried.
One more thing you should know about Eagleman, unlike Clearwater Beach they really do flag drafters on the bike. Draft on the swim and run, but NOT on the bike. Tim
I was going to give you a quick go to the zipp website and check out the savings chart but be damned if I can find it now. The one little calculator actually showed the 1080 having a small couple of seconds saving even above the 900 disc over a conventional wheel, I find that hard to believe though.
Of course you can splurge for the sub-9 speed savings.
another note: I rented a set of 999’s for my 1/2. I took them out on a test ride before the race in very windy (gusty) conditions and didn’t have handling problems comparing them to 404’s.
It’s been hot/cold every other year so since last year was hot there’s no doubt that this year will be cool. Also, it hasn’t been too windy in the past few years so no reason to think it won’t be windy again. The sun is out just about every day in June on the Eastern Shore so law of averages you gotta figure there will be some cloud cover come race day. Also, the Nettles have gotten worse and worse each year so they’ll also revert to the mean and not be too bad in the Choptank until around July or August.
I wish I was racing this year, this will be the best year to race Eagleman, IMHO. Good luck!