Taylor Knibb's Custom Trek Speed Concept Project One

[marcag]

@slow_bob

Using this An interactive model-based calculator of cycling power vs. speed , 3,6W would mean about ~1m30s difference over the distance at that speed (given som napkin guesses of CdA etc etc.) Now it might be somewhat less than a minute, or maybe over two, with all the unknowns here, but timewise more than I thought with a power difference that sounds smallish to my untrained ear.

I’m also a bit understimulated waiting for the race to start.

yes. I get 1.36 minutes.

Now since we are being watt weenies, Kat is giving up half those watts with her Aero 111 (unless it’s windy).

[rrheisler]

We’re aware of at least two athletes who have swapped from TT to S between photo shoots and bike check-in.

Take it for what you will.

[timr]

General reply, but with a rising core temperature, could that cause loss of power, verse staying cooler with a road helmet? Would she actually produce more watts the second half/quarter of the bike leg verse hotter core temp with an aero helmet?

[marcag]

So they went to S or they went to TT for race ?

Do they sweep the road the day before

[rrheisler]

They swapped from the TT to the S for the race.

[timr]

@rrheisler

They swapped from the TT to the S for the race.

Well shit. Did the manufacturing supplier for the TTs start producing defective tires? Somebody needs to get Dan Lorang answers the questions. I haven’t had any issues using them with butyl tubes.

[Ajax_Bay]

@marcag

yes. I get 1.36 minutes.

Now since we are being watt weenies, Kat is giving up half those watts with her Aero 111 (unless it’s windy).

Plugging in my data I get 1:33 (TT v S, 28s)

Wrt Aero 111, here’s the BRR three way comparison - I note the assessed better robustness of the 111 cf TT and S. Matthews 111 on the front and ?TT 28 on the rear. Also note 111’s better wet grip given the forecast rain.

Continental Aero 111 26 vs Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 25 vs Continental...

The cross winds both out and back, say 10kmph, will mean yaw angles of maybe 12 degrees (at average 45kmph vmg). You clever chaps (who are watt weenies) will be able to tell us how many watts an 85mm deep wheel will gain over a 62mm one.

Aero wheels savings to watts

The difference between the 30 and 90 is nil until you get past 5 deg of yaw. At high yaw most people will have handling issues with the deep rims. The bottom line as I’ve been saying for 15 years is that a decently shaped 25-30mm aluminum-rimmed wheel with minimal aero spokes is an aero wheel. The gains to be had going deeper are minimal, and usually a poor speed/$ ratio. For the OP’s question regarding road racing in a pack, I see no reason to go past 40-50mm and only got that deep if you thin…

[stevej]

@marcag

Now since we are being watt weenies, Kat is giving up half those watts with her Aero 111 (unless it’s windy).

Lucy is also on the Aero 111. Forecast doesn’t seem that windy.

[marcag]

@stevej

@marcag

Now since we are being watt weenies, Kat is giving up half those watts with her Aero 111 (unless it’s windy).

Lucy is also on the Aero 111. Forecast doesn’t seem that windy.

This one was tested extensively and unless you spend lots of time at high yaw, it’s definitely slower. Even slower than the S.

However, it’s for one wheel and this is one I think you get brownie points with your sponsor.

[stevej]

@Legalize.Reed

Anyone else notice the Trek photos are from two shoots? One with her setup and one without pedals and the stock Trek bars.

I noticed the tires but not the pedals and aero bars. That’s definitely not her bike on some of those photos. Trek probably is just trying to highlight the paint job.

[marcag]

@Ajax_Bay

The cross winds both out and back, say 10kmph

I am not sure where these are measured but remember wind at ground level is often much less than that reported by weather stations. I “think”, weather stations report at 10m.

[stevej]

~15% outside past 10 deg yaw

Can Taylor Knibb Break 4:20 at Kona?

The Wind: Kona’s Great Equalizer

Our model uses typical trade wind conditions: 17 mph (28 km/h) from the ENE, creating the infamous washing machine effect that makes Kona unique. The yaw angle distribution tells the story significant time spent between -10° and +10°, demanding not just power but exceptional bike handling.

The course segments break down like this:

• Outbound to Kawaihae: Cross-headwind sections that punish any lapse in aero discipline. This is where the VI creeps up if you’re not careful.

• Kawaihae to Hawi: The notorious crosswind section where handling trumps heroics. Better to be slightly under target power and perfectly positioned than fighting the bike.

• Hawi Descent: Free speed, but only if you stay aero and confident. Any unnecessary braking here is literally throwing away time.

• The Return: Often a cross-tailwind that tempts over-gearing. The disciplined athlete who maintains smooth power here gains minutes on those who spike and recover.

[TheStroBro]

@Legalize.Reed

Anyone else notice the Trek photos are from two shoots? One with her setup and one without pedals and the stock Trek bars.

I think you need your eyes checked here because the only difference is are the tires.

[marcag]

@timr

Well shit. Did the manufacturing supplier for the TTs start producing defective tires? Somebody needs to get Dan Lorang answers the questions. I haven’t had any issues using them with butyl tubes.

There is no right answer to the TT vs S discussion because there is no hard data on chance of puncturing. All you need is a little bad luck and you have a negative opinion of them. But some of the WT teams are keeping stats. The TT is no slouch

[marcag]

@timr

Well shit. Did the manufacturing supplier for the TTs start producing defective tires? Somebody needs to get Dan Lorang answers the questions. I haven’t had any issues using them with butyl tubes.

There is no right answer to the TT vs S discussion because there is no hard data on chance of puncturing. All you need is a little bad luck and you have a negative opinion of them. But some of the WT teams are keeping stats. The TT is not a fragile tire.

The Archetype will be interesting because they have more sidewall protection but less tread protection. Will this make it more or less flat prone ? I know of a tire trial that plans to find out.

[xsalmon]

someone above mentioned rain in the forecast. Could they be choosing more robust tires for the wet pavement? I run corsa speeds on dry roads but if the road is going to be wet I use 5000s.

[Legalize.Reed]

That is the stock cockpit, not her drag2zero.

[TheStroBro]

Thanks, had to go back and look myself on the Trek collab post. Social media manager clearly screwed up and mixed stock photos they did in with Knibb’s shoot photos. That would make my social media person lose her shit. Surprised they didn’t take it down immediately.

[TheStroBro]

So, at this point are the marcags of the world shutting up about Taylor’s choices?

[stevej]

I stand by my comments regardless if she wins. And I would be happy if she wins.