I have a Felt S32 and a very limited budget. I will do two halves and 2 Olympics this summer with a view towards doing IMLP in 2010. What difference will a carbon bike make? What difference will race wheels make? Anecdotal answers are far more meaningful to me than quoting some windtunnel drag co-efficient. There is obviously a psychological advantage to having the best equipment, but what is the real advantage? If I can get into the same position on an entry level bike as a more expensive bike with better components is there any advantage to spending the money that I don’t really have?
A big difference. Get yourself a set of Zipp 404s (a safe bet) for IMLP. If you can’t afford new there are lots of used sets out there and rebadged Zipps (like Elite Bikes). Best of luck. Tim
short answer, a carbon bike will make approximately 0 difference…
a bike that is shaped smarter than your bike will make some difference
good summary here:
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/how-aero-is-aero-19273
Aluminum is actually stiffer and more rigid than carbon. Carbon dampens road vibrasions very well while still remaining stiff and efficient. So if you think about a half ironman distance bike leg, the carbon frame will “beat you up” less leaving you feeling better when you jump off the bike. Also if the courses are hilly the climbing sections will easier with the lighter frame. I went from an alumnimun frame to a carbon frame and I defeiniely noticed the more compliant ride as well as the feel of the lighter frame.
Since you are on a budget I would focus on your position and invest in an aero helmet and maybe a set of race wheels. Aero helmets yield the best aero advantage to price. As far as wheels I would look into used Reynolds Assaults. These are Reynolds full carbon clinchers that they call their every-day carbon wheel. My friend raced a season of crits on a set and loved them, they were also his training wheelset. Check eBay, I have seen some used “new” ones go for $900. Not bad for a set of 1525 gram, 46mm depth rim, full carbon wheels.
Aluminum is actually stiffer and more rigid than carbon.
really?
i mean, i don’t think you are even specifying enough parameters here to evaluate the truth of that statement.
Which aluminum? Which carbon? by weight or by volume?
Anecdotal???
I can tell you that I was faster on my '85 Colnago than I am now!
Gotcha…sorry I was speaking from my personal experience. You are right in that it depends on which aluminum and which carbon since there are different levels and qualities. I went from c-dales caad4 aluminum to Scott’s Plasma Ltd and now LOOK’s 596. So I guess I most likely switched to some of the better quality carbon in the business. But I think that from a general standpoint aluminum will be rougher then carbon. Sorry for the confusion though.
Thank you. The article you referred to makes an interesting read. It would appear that the most cost effective strategy is an aero helmet.