So I stripped the paint off my bike last week in preparation for repainting it. Its a fully custom built frame by Tom Teesdale. I will be repainting it when I get some time off of riding the bike, cant afford to have it out of commission for a week or two this time of the year. You will notice a bit of customization that I am working on as well at the rear triangle. Its carbon fiber and hopefully will make the bike a little more aero, as long as it doesnt slow the bike down im happy. 
Is that carbon addition legal? Wouldn’t it be considered a fairing or something?
if you only race tri’s, no problem
otherwise, not UCI/USCF legal, that fairing must be an integral part of the frame to be legal
just fyi
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Very interesting. It will be fun to see what the aero gurus say when they see it. What did Teesdale make the frame out of?
RP
It is easton ultralite aero tubing.
Ok, can someone quickly give me instructions on how to post pics of my own.
Thanks.
Ok, can someone quickly give me instructions on how to post pics of my own.
Thanks.
Upload to www.tinypic.com. Copy link. Press image button while posting and add the tinypic link.
How can I post inline pics like the OP of this thread?
Ok, can someone quickly give me instructions on how to post pics of my own.
Thanks.
How can I post inline pics like the OP of this thread?
Read this topic: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=416935
bump
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Are you sure about this? I think that non-structural aero fairings (except specifically in the case of disc wheels) are also illegal for USAT tri racing.
If it is legal, do you have a reference?
Perhaps someone has a bit more clarification on this. Before painting it would be bondo’d in with the seat tube and sanded smooth, then painted over. Does this make it integral to the frame? If I incorporate the rear stays does it then become structural and legal? Is it even an issue?
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/the-rules/usa-triathlon-competitive-rules-000622-print.php
USA Triathlon Competitive Rules
5.11 Bicycle Specifications.
(e) There must be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle (including frame, wheels, handlebars, chain wheel, and accessories) which has the effect of reducing resistance. Aerodynamic carriers for food, water, and or cycling provisions may be attached to or be an integral part of the aero-handlebars if they meet the following guidelines:
Not sure about the rules gary refers to. I think fairings are not legal for even for USAT tri racing. Your thing appears to be a fairing–it doesnt matter how smoothly you integrate it. A structural item in that spot could be legal only if it truly supported the stays or tubes.
An example of a fairing: a round frame tube with a carbon wrap that gives it a teardrop profile to make it aero. The carbon wrap probably will make the frame tube stiffer, but it is still considered a fairing.
An expample of a structural aero improvement: a frame tube in an actual aero shape made of carbon, aluminum, or whatever similar to what, say, Cervelo uses on their bikes.
gary, you are confusing me:
are you saying that fairings are legal for tri racing (like your first post) or not legal for tri racing (as you most recent post–the one i am replying to).
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http://www.usatriathlon.org/Rules_Officials/rules.htm#5.11
5.11 Bicycle Specifications.
(e) There must be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle (including frame, wheels, handlebars, chain wheel, and accessories) which has the effect of reducing resistance.
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The first question I’d think you’d want to ask is if this carbon piece, in fact, actually helps at all. It is not, as far as I can tell, an actual airfoil shape. Rather, it has the same round leading edge as the original tube. And then you must consider the interplay between what you have constructed and the already bladed seatstays. That point of interaction could actually cause more problems that it has solved.
I am not saying it is necessarily worse (or better for that matter)…simply that all the discussion over whether or not it is illegal is moot if the piece does not accomplish what you want it to in the first place… bicycle aerodynamics, as I understand it, is a complex interaction of forces…much more than simply adding some aero-LOOKING tubing or piece.
Unfortunately, the only way you’d find out if your piece is truly effective or not is in a wind tunnel…with properly designed testing…
Not legal - I had not read the rules for USAT races at the time I posted it.
that bike is not legal in a USAT sanctioned race
Right. thats what i was trying to say…
i do not see any difference in this compared to the Q R redrocks frame built years ago,somehow he found a way around the rules,(maybe they have changed since)
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