I have a QR PR5 and looking to do a few upgrades to try to increase my efficiency and gain a few watts.
Any recommendations? My bike is a stock di2. I added a power meter since then. Have a set of zipp 404s.
I need to change out my BB currently. Thinking of getting a steel BB. Any recommendations?
I have a QR PR5 and looking to do a few upgrades to try to increase my efficiency and gain a few watts.
Any recommendations? My bike is a stock di2. I added a power meter since then. Have a set of zipp 404s.
I need to change out my BB currently. Thinking of getting a steel BB. Any recommendations?
Wheels Manufacturing angular bearing is a good and affordable bottom bracket choice. Easy gains are tire choice, chain and lubes. What race tires are you using? Which lube and chain? Easy watts are waxed chain (Silca is a good choice) and good tires, the right width and pressure for your wheels.
I just order a pair of continental gp 5000 for my race tires. My chain is currently a standard ultegra chain. I have been using white lightening lube.
Best Seconds per $ is probably latex tubes. Personally I’m not a fan of the GP5000 for ludicrously outdated bad experiences on some GP3000s, and so I always use Vittoria Corsas. But the latex tube is where the magic happens.
Aero helmet will give you the same sort of benefits as a deep front wheel relative to a standard one.
Then you’re probably looking at kit choices - sleeved skinsuit vs cycling top is huge difference. Not saying that you are wearing baggy cycling tops, but it’s amazing seeing the million dollars of top of the range uberbikes that go past when you are marshalling or spectating sitting under people wearing parachutes. So worth ruling out.
Chain - I’ve started waxing mine in last few months. Feels smooth, sounds smooth and love the lack of dirt. But the watt savings are in the tiny margins based on the data / my personal experience. It’s actually easy to do and there’s lots of reasons to do this, but apologies to Josh@Silca - aside from those at the very front of the field, watt savings aren’t the justification.
Do you have a coach? For vast majority of people, a coach is the single most cost effective way of getting faster. And yet the lure of ceramic bearings, oversized pulleys, $1500 bars seems way way more attractive.
I have been using white lightening lube.
Some easy gains right there - I think White Lightening is just about the worst lube tested by zerofrictioncycling.com https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Key-Learnings-from-Lubricant-Testing-Round-1.pdf
And it’s not just about the watt savings - a better lube = less drivetrain wear, which saves you $$$. Totally worth this upgrade.
I just order a pair of continental gp 5000 for my race tires. My chain is currently a standard ultegra chain. I have been using white lightening lube.
GP5000 good; as others mentioned, Latex tubes for sure. Slice has a great selection with aero valve stems as well. White Lightning not very good, per FF. Molten Spped wax or Silca (my fav) are far better.
Why not buy a Wippermann chain, clean it, and dip it in Gulf wax?
Ahhh go figure. This will be an easy change! Thanks for the article!
What latex tubes are you using?
For my trip kit I am switching to a sleeved kit this year.
Think I need to update my helmet as well. Starting to look at the giro vanquish helmet.
I do have a coach. I have been seeing improvement with this too. Just wondering how I could improve more with a few upgrades.
I have a QR PR5 and looking to do a few upgrades to try to increase my efficiency and gain a few watts.
Any recommendations? My bike is a stock di2. I added a power meter since then. Have a set of zipp 404s.
I need to change out my BB currently. Thinking of getting a steel BB. Any recommendations?
Define ‘worth it’.
Surprised no one has said disc wheel (or wheel cover).
I don’t currently use one, but it will certainly be faster than your rear 404.
So then…what’s left for “big†gains…position, helmet, rear disc (or disc cover for $100 if budget conscious)
.
Why not buy a Wippermann chain, clean it, and dip it in Gulf wax?.
Because you’re leaving gains on the table. Gulf wax without the premium additives some do is not the most effective.
Budget?
These are some of the high impact items for your bike. But cost is the key limiter…
Continental GP 5000 tiresLatex tubes
More aero front brakeWaxed chain
CockpitDeeper front wheelDisc rear wheel
Which chain do you recommend?
Which additives do you recommend?
How much faster are they?
What about a front hydration system and mounting bottles behind the saddle? Not sure what distance you’re targeting but it would keep you aero. I went with the aeria system on my PR5 (rim brake) and it cleaned up the front end nicely. Not sure what type of aero gains you would get but every bit helps.
Which chain do you recommend?
Which additives do you recommend?
How much faster are they?
Boring answer for the chain is dura ace.
Additives. Ptfe powder, molybdenum sulphate
Maybe tungsten disulphide (micronised) maybe micronised graphite (dry gun lube)
Once you go past ptfe and Mos2 the gains are small but may also improve wear.
Budget?
These are some of the high impact items for your bike. But cost is the key limiter…
Continental GP 5000 tiresLatex tubes
More aero front brakeWaxed chain
CockpitDeeper front wheelDisc rear wheel
Solid advice.
Adding:
Baby powder your latex tubes. I have no idea what the right amount is.Helmet? Get your head down lower by whatever means necessary.Take bar tape off.
Which chain do you recommend?
Which additives do you recommend?
How much faster are they?
Boring answer for the chain is dura ace.
Additives. Ptfe powder, molybdenum sulphate
Maybe tungsten disulphide (micronised) maybe micronised graphite (dry gun lube)
Once you go past ptfe and Mos2 the gains are small but may also improve wear.
Why would you choose a Dura-Ace chain over Wippermann?
Does the Dura-Ace chain have less friction? Does it have a longer life?
How much faster are the additives over plain Gulf wax?
Ahhh go figure. This will be an easy change! Thanks for the article!
Yeah, well I started my lube journey with White Lightening as well. Even if you aren’t ready to wax yet, there are plenty of better performing drip lubes.
Which chain do you recommend?
Which additives do you recommend?
How much faster are they?
Boring answer for the chain is dura ace.
Additives. Ptfe powder, molybdenum sulphate
Maybe tungsten disulphide (micronised) maybe micronised graphite (dry gun lube)
Once you go past ptfe and Mos2 the gains are small but may also improve wear.
Why would you choose a Dura-Ace chain over Wippermann?
Does the Dura-Ace chain have less friction? Does it have a longer life?
How much faster are the additives over plain Gulf wax?
https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/chaintesting/