http://velonews.competitor.com/...the-pros-ride_377340
Anyone listen carefully to this video where mechanic talks about Enve testing showing it was faster than disc? Anyone see data on this?
I did hear that and I’ve seen that banded around before. However, MTN were using discs in the team TT and in the prologue make of that what you will.
Iain
Does it include power to rotate?
I keep hearing that but have yet to see data on that point. And does power to rotate differ on disc vs disc cover on a set of 808s or other deep wheel.
At what yaw angle in which tunnel under what testing conditions?
You ever notice how some sponsored ENVE athletes use a wheel cover? Or how Dave Mirra puts ENVE stickers on a Zipp disk?
Discs are faster. Done. End of discussion
Quite possible. If specialized new wheel system also have similar findings I might have brushed it off.
It will be interesting as bestbikesplit progresses if it will have a better handle on this in terms of terrain and weather conditions. A more independent analysis. I know I’ve done 3 races where my disc cover and 808s gave me same time using bbs.
Depends on yaw angles… at some angles the disk is actually pushing you forward (negative drag).
If you’re in a head/tailwind scenario you can probably do the same time on 30mm wheels… It’s the “in between” angles where discs and deep wheels shine.
It will be interesting as bestbikesplit progresses if it will have a better handle on this in terms of terrain and weather conditions. A more independent analysis. I know I’ve done 3 races where my disc cover and 808s gave me same time using bbs.
Depends on yaw angles… at some angles the disk is actually pushing you forward (negative drag).
If you’re in a head/tailwind scenario you can probably do the same time on 30mm wheels… It’s the “in between” angles where discs and deep wheels shine.
It will be interesting as bestbikesplit progresses if it will have a better handle on this in terms of terrain and weather conditions. A more independent analysis. I know I’ve done 3 races where my disc cover and 808s gave me same time using bbs.
I agree with both of you but whenever I see threads like this, I think it’s funny that most everyone just chimes in and says “discs are faster. period.” Sure, on paper but sometimes, on certain courses, not by much. For example, BBS has me going 20 seconds faster with a disc vs a 90mm in IMWI. 20 seconds ain’t shit and if I can’t handle my bike as well with a disc vs a 90… it’s definitely slower.
It’s not only the course but the course + weather conditions (wind direction). Unless you can predict the wind at IMWI this year the BBS model is not 100% accurate.
As far as handling I’ve raced with a disc in all conditions including IMFL last year with 23+ mph wind and much higher gusts. BTW the BBS prediction changed wildly in the days prior to my race there because of the weather. I basically ran the simulation 1h before the race start and probably still wasn’t right because after the swim cancellation the bike start was delayed by hours and everything changed again.
Overall, the disc will not slow you down but has the potential to help you in the right conditions… so why not use it?
I can tell you that the disc has no bearing on handling. The front wheel is what makes the handling sketchy but you can get used to it very quickly and learn to relax / not try to fight it.
I would ride a disc anywhere/anytime in all conditions.
Ride it if you got it!
Depends on yaw angles… at some angles the disk is actually pushing you forward (negative drag).
If you’re in a head/tailwind scenario you can probably do the same time on 30mm wheels… It’s the “in between” angles where discs and deep wheels shine.
It will be interesting as bestbikesplit progresses if it will have a better handle on this in terms of terrain and weather conditions. A more independent analysis. I know I’ve done 3 races where my disc cover and 808s gave me same time using bbs.
I agree with both of you but whenever I see threads like this, I think it’s funny that most everyone just chimes in and says “discs are faster. period.” Sure, on paper but sometimes, on certain courses, not by much. For example, BBS has me going 20 seconds faster with a disc vs a 90mm in IMWI. 20 seconds ain’t shit and if I can’t handle my bike as well with a disc vs a 90… it’s definitely slower.
There have been isolated incidents of people testing faster in the tunnel with a 90 vs a disc but it’s never been by much (maybe 1w). The theory would be that, at a certain yaw angle, the turbulence produced by the 90 would help re-attach flow behind the rider thus making the whole system faster. IMO, this is a rather fragile arrangement that probably falls apart outside of a narrow yaw range.
In a realm (aerodynamics) where universals are tough to come by, I’m pretty confident in saying “always disc”.
I should have worded my response better. I’m not worried about handling in the wind… a disc won’t go anywhere with gusts.
I was/am worried about cornering at high speeds. Certain courses have a lot of 90 degree turns. If you can’t take a corner with a disc as fast as you can with a 90, it won’t be faster. If you personally feel you can handle a disc the same as an 808, then yeah, a disc will likely be faster for you… but still only by a little.
I should have worded my response better. I’m not worried about handling in the wind… a disc won’t go anywhere with gusts.
I was/am worried about cornering at high speeds. Certain courses have a lot of 90 degree turns. If you can’t take a corner with a disc as fast as you can with a 90, it won’t be faster. If you personally feel you can handle a disc the same as an 808, then yeah, a disc will likely be faster for you… but still only by a little.
Your rear wheel is the disc.
Thanks captain obvious
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Thanks captain obvious
It doesn’t seem to be obvious to people who don’t know where their steering axis is.
Why would a disc affect turning?
I can only speak for myself but whenever I’ve ridden discs and taken corners at high speeds, I always get the feeling that the back wheel is going to slip out under me; enough so that I don’t take corners as fast with it.
So purely psychological? Did you not tighten your skewer?
Yes, absolutely. If you re-read what I wrote, nothing I stated says anything scientific.
Because maybe you pump up your tire to 150+psi when it’s on a disk and a reasonable pressure when the tire is on a spoked wheel?
Stop doing this. In a sport where you can split hairs all day long, just use a disc, ANY disc (or wheel cover) and go worry about tire choice or something that is actually useful to worry about.