Windy races and equipment selection

Triathlon Forum
1

I just read another thread where the author was concerned about buying a disk rear wheel due to the perceived instability in high winds. My question for the forum is this: What percentage of your races have been windy enough to dissuade you from using the fastest possible equipment. I have done about 40 triathlons and maybe 200 bike races over the past 20 years throughout the midwest and mid-atlantic regions and can only remember competing in two races with really awful weather, and in both of those events I still went with my fastest wheels including a rear disk.

The really bad weather I’ve encountered has been on training rides where I get mixed up in late-afternoon thunderstorms, or in off-season training rides where I’m desperate to get outside, but since races are in the warm season and start early we usually miss the rough stuff.

Anyway, my bad-weather race percentage is under 1%. How about the rest of the forum? What threshold do you look for before it becomes rational to buy slower gear?

-Marc

2

I’ve ridden my disc in pretty heavy winds during races. I don’t think handling a disc is tough. To answer your question, I’ve raced in 0 races where I wouldn’t use a disc.

I have had some scares during training rides with heavy crosswinds and a moderately deep front wheel. The wheel was by no means deep though. These experiences have been enough to make me careful with my front wheel selection when racing.