Neither Martin nor Kwiatkowski are particular weight weenies it seems, even in a quite mountainous TT. They both still have their Tacx rear wheel QR on.
Contador not rocking the McLaren? (but which model is it?).
A new aero-tailless helmet from Catlike on Valverde’s head. Can’t find any information on it though.
Although the picture is not clear, it looks like Contador is running an unbranded Lightweight disc, which makes sense given the amount of climbing.
I’m not sure what the consensus is in the peloton (or on slowtwitch for that matter) as to bottle placement on the frame, because we see all three options (seat, down, none), and even AG2R with a sneaky aerobottle.
Regarding the rear skewer, I believe they warm up on the trainer with the disk wheel on. Not having to change the wheel or skewer minutes before their start time reduces the chances of a SNAFU… JC
Regarding the rear skewer, I believe they warm up on the trainer with the disk wheel on. Not having to change the wheel or skewer minutes before their start time reduces the chances of a SNAFU… JC
Having worked with both OPQS and Saxo amongst others, yes, the mechanics generally just leave the trainer skewer in place as it’s too much work to change it. As there are usually 2 mechanics for 8-11 riders depending on the event, stuff like this really isn’t looked at as critically as most STer might look at his own rig. Contador, on the other hand is a WHOLE other story… He has his own mechanic (Faustino) who is a major Lightweight wheel distributor/dealer in Spain,(he owns a shop which specializes in lightweight generally, as well as the specific brand components). Those guys don’t really believe in data or the like, but are very obsessed with weight. Ironically, Contador really doesn’t ‘believe’ in aero data, but he does very strongly believe in ‘aeroness’ so the longer helmet IS faster for him as that seems more aero…the fastest TT’s he’s ever done were on 3 spoke front/LW rear, so those are the ‘fastest’ options, etc…uses those flush mounted skewers for weight savings, but the benefit of them is far more on the aero side of the equation than weight.
At the end of the day, there are a very few individuals out there who are really sweating the details and they tend to show up and help athletes at the Tour, World Championships, etc… so things like skewers and the Zipp Kamm nuts on the hubs end up pointed correctly… but generally, it’s just far too complicating for the large teams as the have so much else to deal with. This weekend is exciting as the brightest minds in cycling are all at Roubaix tweaking and massaging things, and will likely not be seen again until the Tour.
Limiting the rim depths was a rule intended to start in 2014. I never saw anything definitive to say if it would apply to TT wheels or not.
After Cookson was elected various tech reg changes were put on hold. I never saw anything definitive to say that the rim depth was one of them, but it seems likely.
I find tony martins position interesting.
the photo angle isn’t great, and maybe its to do with the amount of climbing but his saddle looks lower/front end higher than previous positions.
Could it be because this is an early season race and he is working himself back to his usual position, or could it be that he has tested in the tunnel and this position is faster in terms of the power/aerodynamics compromise.
I can understand that, having been ‘mechanic’ for just 2 girls on my wife’s team at stage races this year. It is very hard to sweat the details for more than 1 person at a race!
Having worked with both OPQS and Saxo amongst others, yes, the mechanics generally just leave the trainer skewer in place as it’s too much work to change it. As there are usually 2 mechanics for 8-11 riders depending on the event, stuff like this really isn’t looked at as critically as most STer might look at his own rig. Contador, on the other hand is a WHOLE other story… He has his own mechanic (Faustino) who is a major Lightweight wheel distributor/dealer in Spain,(he owns a shop which specializes in lightweight generally, as well as the specific brand components). Those guys don’t really believe in data or the like, but are very obsessed with weight. Ironically, Contador really doesn’t ‘believe’ in aero data, but he does very strongly believe in ‘aeroness’ so the longer helmet IS faster for him as that seems more aero…the fastest TT’s he’s ever done were on 3 spoke front/LW rear, so those are the ‘fastest’ options, etc…uses those flush mounted skewers for weight savings, but the benefit of them is far more on the aero side of the equation than weight.
At the end of the day, there are a very few individuals out there who are really sweating the details and they tend to show up and help athletes at the Tour, World Championships, etc… so things like skewers and the Zipp Kamm nuts on the hubs end up pointed correctly… but generally, it’s just far too complicating for the large teams as the have so much else to deal with. This weekend is exciting as the brightest minds in cycling are all at Roubaix tweaking and massaging things, and will likely not be seen again until the Tour.
I believe Contador wears a Specialized TT3 helmet.
Martin has been wearing the TT3 in most of the photos from early ti
His year and last year ( if I am not mistaken). I figured that helmet was maybe faster for him, so it is interesting to see him back to the MacCleran (sp).
Could be because he is cornering and is not squeezing his upper body and head as low as possible at that moment.
I find tony martins position interesting.
the photo angle isn’t great, and maybe its to do with the amount of climbing but his saddle looks lower/front end higher than previous positions.
Could it be because this is an early season race and he is working himself back to his usual position, or could it be that he has tested in the tunnel and this position is faster in terms of the power/aerodynamics compromise.
Having worked with both OPQS and Saxo amongst others, yes, the mechanics generally just leave the trainer skewer in place as it’s too much work to change it. As there are usually 2 mechanics for 8-11 riders depending on the event, stuff like this really isn’t looked at as critically as most STer might look at his own rig. Contador, on the other hand is a WHOLE other story… He has his own mechanic (Faustino) who is a major Lightweight wheel distributor/dealer in Spain,(he owns a shop which specializes in lightweight generally, as well as the specific brand components). Those guys don’t really believe in data or the like, but are very obsessed with weight. Ironically, Contador really doesn’t ‘believe’ in aero data, but he does very strongly believe in ‘aeroness’ so the longer helmet IS faster for him as that seems more aero…the fastest TT’s he’s ever done were on 3 spoke front/LW rear, so those are the ‘fastest’ options, etc…uses those flush mounted skewers for weight savings, but the benefit of them is far more on the aero side of the equation than weight.
J
josh–i’ve heard the same about contador.
in your experience, was there any material (aero) difference in the lightweight disc vs other options? the weight of the LW disc is less than that of the 808 rear.
Regarding the rear skewer, I believe they warm up on the trainer with the disk wheel on. Not having to change the wheel or skewer minutes before their start time reduces the chances of a SNAFU… JC
x2. i’ve figured this out for my own TTs–far easier just to take the bike off the trainer and go to the start, rather than add one more (even small) thing to do in the minutes before a start.
of course, if one has their own mechanic things are a bit different.
personally i like riding the DA skewers as one can use them with a trainer and they hold exceptionally well on a bike with horizontal dropouts (like the shiv). i find other skewers, like the zipp skewers, a bit lacking in this department. (i find them fine for a bike with vertical dropouts.)