I ride a 2010 Orbea Ordu and I’ve been pretty happy with it the past two years, but lately my training buddies have been disrespecting my ride. Not sure why ;-). This forum has sparked to some pretty interesting discussions during my training rides so I’m hoping you guys can help put some of the issues into perspective.
My questions:
Is the aero disadvantage discussed in the other threads significant or as meaningful for MOP athlete? Specifically, if someone averages 22mph on a 40K; realistically, how much improvement can one expect to see riding one of the ST preferred frames?
The geometry of the Ordu frame is different than the ST preferred frames. So is one potential benefit that my position may be more powerful or more aero on one of these frames? (see pics below) I was fit to my Ordu. So assuming my position is optimized for that frame (and my flexibility at the time), are there improvements to be had with a different frame…or with the current one?
I would say the frames aero properties could be costing you ~60 seconds per 40k as compared to a P3 or similar.
given your current position I don’t think the seat angle will be holding you back. just slam the seat all the way forward and you should be fine. worst case you might need to find a saddle with rails that let you get it forward a bit more than normal.
hopefully if you paid for your “fit” it was for your bike to accommodate YOU and not the other way around… therefore when you take your optimized fit and replicate it on a superior frame you will have better results. how quantifiable those results are is undetermined at this time.
unless you measure 12" i suggest you by something expensive and shiny!
1. Is the aero disadvantage discussed in the other threads significant or as meaningful for MOP athlete?
This is a long-held myth that seems to have a life of its own. The aero properties of a frame don’t disappear when they drop below 30 mph. Because a pro goes faster, the aero frame offers him a larger aero advantage, but this is balanced by being on the course for a shorter period of time. So if you are riding a 40K that takes you 1:05 you might experience a time savings of x number of seconds. Let’s say 60. The pro who rides that 40K in 45 minutes might only gain 45 seconds because he is riding about 25 percent less time than you so he experiences the great percentage of time savings over a shorter period of time.
I would guess your Orbea is probably equal to or even slower than a Cervelo P2K (modern P1) and enough people have tested that frame to know that it will get you 1.5-2 secs/kilometer when riding a P2/P3. Make it a P4 and you get 2.5-3.5 secs per kilometer savings. So I would guess you are leaving, at a minimum, 1:20 in a 40K to older aero bikes (P2, P3, Trek-old style, Spec Trans) and 2-2.5 minutes to the newer bikes (P4, Trek SC, Spec Shiv).
Stay in front of them and it’s harder for them give you sh*t. Just keep your engine stronger than there bike is aero, and you will be fine. The comments will go away after that
the picture was taken during Ironman Texas. It was my first ironman and i was enjoying the day and taking in the scenery, I think the photographer caught me looking at some cows or something. normally I’m heads-down…and I don’t normally race with the rear hydration either but it was IMTX and I was worried about the heat, dehydration etc., so I left it on. Ironically, I ended up stopping three time to pee so I may have overdone it. Again, it was my first IM so I still have lots to learn. I actually braced myself for an ST beat down for all the stuff I had strapped to my bike!
