So Darrel from Front of the Pack has been sponsoring these awesome time trials every 2 weeks this Summer.
I’ve done 4 so far; turns out to be incredibly challenging; I find it hard to get the heart rate up. And harder still to move around while in the aero position to use different muscle groups. It’s way more challenging than hill climbing IMO.
In any case, wondering if there is any conclusive evidence on what the fastest wheelset is. Below is avg speed, wheel choice, wind conditions, and wheel weight. I felt good for the second and third attempts. Unprepared for the first and unmotivated for the last. Round 2 was extremely windy and hairy; had to get in the drops to control the bike. Round 3 was similar wind but the lower height rims were less susceptible. Round 4, with the disc cover, wheels were slow to accelerate but seemed to maintain speed. But it is mighty heavy. The course is 10.4 miles out and back with 2 hills out and 2 back where it’s hard to maintain 20mph. Bike is first gen Scott Plasma.
23.13 mph: Hed Alps 50 front/rear, no aero helmet: 26:59 - no wind. 1650 grams.23.47 mph: Hed Jet 60/90, aero helmet: 26:35 - heavy wind. 1800 grams. 24.49 mph: Ritchey carbon clinchers 45/45, aero helmet: 25:29 - heavy wind. 1430 grams.23.59 mph. Hed Jet 60/disc, aero helmet 26:27 - no wind. 2174 grams Anything conclusive here? Does weight make a difference? Or could you say aero trumps because I was slacking on the 4th try but the disc made up for it? The Ritcheys certainly feel fastest despite the less aero profile.
By the way, the aero helmet is a Rudy with visor.
Thanks
Twain