Just curious why a disc wheel is prohibited in some races. For example, I’m planning to do Cozumel and it appears that a disc wheel is prohibited. Not sure I understand why as I have no problem with a disc in heavy winds, it’s actually the front wheel that gets battered around.
Curious if anybody has any insight to this. Genuinely interested to better understand the rationale.
It’s the (mostly) mistaken perception that a disc wind makes the bike harder to control in high wind. I say “mostly” because I do think a disc would make it more difficult in crazy high winds, winds high enough that you probably shouldn’t have a triathlon anyways.
People are uninformed?
A large part of the course is completely open to the ocean breeze without any obstructions. I’m guessing their thinking is that there is a possibility of high, unrestricted winds on that part of the island that could pose a danger to everyone.
While I haven’t done the race I have ridden there and have experienced the winds. I can see their point.
Winds on the courses where discs are banned can be very strong, gusty and often be perpendicular to the road. Rules for safety can’t be applied to individuals, they unfortunately have to apply to the whole field.
It is my understanding cozumel is a race day decision by the race director, but not sure if that is true. Most do not want to travel with 2 wheels so a regular wheel is used regardless. 2020 race I felt could have been safe for a disc, but i never asked as I did not bring one.
All excellent points. Thank you all.
It is because of wind and the ability to control the bike in heavy wind. There are probably athletes that can handle it, but there are also a lot of athletes with poor bike handling skills that may think they can when they cannot, and the race directors cannot tell some people they can and others they cannot. Think about all of the poor bike handling you might see at an aid station and then add wind and disc wheels and it could be a disaster.
It is because of wind and the ability to control the bike in heavy wind. There are probably athletes that can handle it, but there are also a lot of athletes with poor bike handling skills that may think they can when they cannot, and the race directors cannot tell some people they can and others they cannot. Think about all of the poor bike handling you might see at an aid station and then add wind and disc wheels and it could be a disaster.
Excellent point. I try to avoid as many aid stations as possible for that very reason. Scares the crap out of me how many people have trouble with bike handling.
Yes, sure, but as the OP and others have noted, a high front rim is a lot more problematic in strong winds than a disc.
The rear wheel doesn’t rotate to the sides, and it has my big ass weighing it down. I’ve never noticed a difference - whereas the difference between a 30 mm and 52 mm front rim in crosswinds is me either not caring much or having my diaper full; and people are allowed to ride 88s in the front in Kona, Cozumel and elsewhere.
I’ve been riding a disc all season this year, first year with it. With an 88mm front.
To echo what everyone above has been saying, the rear disc is like trivial in terms of handling penalty, even with blasts of side gusts. Granted, I haven’t been at Kona where it could be worse, but I’ve done 2 races along an ocean (unobstructed wind gusts) that definitely had bursts of strong gusts, and I had no problems handling it. (I did get out of the aerobars if it got more gusty, but it was fine.)
The front wheel is the real area where you’ll really feel the gusts. Even then, so long as you’ve practiced it, you really subconsciouly compensate and lean remarkably quickly into the wind. I don’t even think about it anymore, but I took my training wheels out the other day and it honestly felt really weird to not have to lean into anything. For sure, I think that’s a big benefit of the deep wheels - when you’re leaning into it, you’re probably getting a push from the wind to some significant degree. I actually like it now!