She wore the HJC in Texas where it was similarly hot.
I heard the rumor as well
Road helmet, slower tires….interesting choices.
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We’re basing this all off of a photo shoot day for her insta?
No I am not.
And tests from devices that are 95% accurate at best… This is the best back seat driving I have seen in a while 
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Yeah, it’s really interesting. Although less TT TR tires than with the men…but just like get me thru the bike is not going to work well anymore. Even if she wins it doesn’t mean it was the smart move…
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She said she is wearing the road helmet because it is cooler for her
She also said she is using the TRs VS TT For better flat protection
This is what she said. Not what I am saying
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She’s following Andy Pott’s advice
The helmet I can see. The tires, I can’t
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what time difference do the give between those tires???
“devices” be it tunnel, sensor, velodromes or other are not the source of error in aero testing
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At 72 PSI and 29kph the difference is 1.4w for each tire per BRR. Probably more at higher speeds.
Ya, I kind of wonder if she’s taken in too much Kona history. There’s multiple instances of the poor timing flat, so she figures hedge her bets and trade some time for security? But we always remember those handful of instances and forget the thousands of others that never happen.
Seems like a bad trade. But, she is getting advice from Dan Lorang and her cycling agent, along with her sponsors so I assume she’s well advised and making a reasonable decision.
I’ve been on that road couple dozen times (not racing the IMWC to be clear) and never flatted. But I did flat in Taupo on the Conti TT. Obviously it can happen anywhere with the wrong luck.
x 1.38 at 40km/h x 1.4 for a 60kg rider = 1.4 x 1.38 x 1.4 = 2.7watts
Corrected*
At speed, it will be a rainbow.
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If we assume she’s giving up 5,4w on tires, 5-10w on the helmet and her suit doesn’t seem different or particularly aero (no ribbing etc that we see on Wyn, Castelli etc) do we think the tunnel gains were just position and bottle placement?
General comment. This such wrong thinking as a competitor. Especially as a pro and front pack age grouper. You are racing your competitors. Would you knowingly and willingly show up to the start line with a disadvantage?
Me too. Was hoping they might add some nice options to their ‘icon’ selection. This ain’t it.
That said, for the price of the ‘icon’ paint, you could just get a custom paint job done…
I have no idea what she tested, but sometimes just knowing things has value. Example, knowing the helmet only costs you 3 watts allows you to make the heat vs aero decision. Maybe she found that hear head in an non optimal position impacts the road helmet less. She moves her head around a lot….I don’t know. It will be interesting to see her ride and compare with the past.
I do know this. Going to the tunnel once for an athlete at her level is kind of strange. I would think this is a continuous process of test, test in training, race and analyze, rinse and repeat. The fact this was her first test is a little strange. This is not how you get optimal. But maybe we don’t know the full story.
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Where’d she say that? I don’t remember that from the Ironman Insider, TTH, or Breakfast with Bob interviews.
Man, just from reading the thread I was hoping she was just using the TRs for training and would switch to the TTs for the race, same with road vs aero helmet. I get all that for the lead into the race, especially the shoulders or the Queen K have a bunch of crap in them (flatted on my first ride there last year and realized I hadn’t yet gotten me CO2- fortunately got bailed out by a velofix van on his way by!).
It’s just so odd to me that Taylor is so detail oriented, so knowledgeable and smart, and yet makes MOP AG decisions. Can she get away with it in a T100 at peak fitness? Probably when she can still get a several minute lead, and you don’t have Kat and Laura chasing you down in the back half of a marathon. The bike is her weapon, she needs every second advantage and to save every watt she can.