SOmething interesting I have noticed in this years tour: Many of the riders are opening up their rear brake before the climbs and then closing it again as they summit (on VS. coverage you could see Contador and Popo doing this as they crested the top of the Galibier).
I would guess that they have found that the climbing wheels they use flex enough on the uphills, especially when they put the power to it, that it causes the rim to flex rub the brake unless it is open all the way. Kinda scary when you consider that these guys weigh ~ 145 pounds. I am not sure I would feel as confident doing 60mph down the backside of these climbs with the same wheels. Yikes.
And how about the way that front wheel folded up when the dude hit that dog. I think he did hit harder than the video (which only seemed to be shown in slow motion) made it seem, but still…that thing crumpled like it was made of paper mache.
Edit - I see there’s another lengthy thread on the front wheel and the dog.
saw this replayed on the local news a few times over in slow-mo as you said… sorry for the rider and dog - but the funny thing is that phil and paul (VS guys) said just today that both dog and rider are fine… i find it hard to believe that dog (hefty size) is fine…
since we’re speculating, I’d say that the tolerances for the brakes are so very close since they’re going to be bombing down the hills so the rear may rub when they’re riding full tilt on a hard uphill section. I doubt that they HAVE to open the brakes all the way, just a little.
From what I saw of that video, the wheel didn’t fold from actually hitting the dog, it folded because it was turned sideways with the rider’s weight going cross-wise (it appeared to fold “before” he hit the dog).
But I have noticed the riders closing up the brakes as they crest the climbs, and found that interesting. I’ve never flexed a wheel so much as to have it rub on the pads (at least that I’m aware of), even at 195 lbs (I’m 165 now).
I’ve never flexed a wheel so much as to have it rub on the pads (at least that I’m aware of), even at 195 lbs (I’m 165 now).
You must either be riding really stiff wheels or not paying much attention. When climbing it is pretty common to rub brake pads, although now that I have Ksyriums, I haven’t done it, but that is known as one of the stiffer wheels out there.
And how about the way that front wheel folded up when the dude hit that dog. I think he did hit harder than the video (which only seemed to be shown in slow motion) made it seem, but still…that thing crumpled like it was made of paper mache.
Edit - I see there’s another lengthy thread on the front wheel and the dog.
That is what happens when you don’t ride Planet X wheels!
I used to rub brakes all the time with the ksyriums when I would climb, then I rode those wheels into the ground so hard that they couldnt repair them. I like the hed bastogne now, and as always, cxp-33.