login
History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology
-
No new posts
 2009-07-21 8:31 PM |
Expert 658   |  Subject: History of Ironman Bike Splits and TechnologyI was looking around on the internet google search today to compare the finishing times of ironman hawaii from 2008 times to previous times. I saw that in 1991-1994 the winning times are about the same of even better than 2008. This got me wondering, that with all the advancements in technology of aero/TT/tri bikes that do they make that much difference? Even going back to 1986, the overall finishing time is only 10-15 mins slower. Also a comparison... how much faster would your average speed increase from an entry level road bike to entry level tri bike? It just seems with the improvements in tri bikes and stuff, it hasn't made heaps of time reductions if you consider the race is 8+ hours. Does this therefore mean that you don't even need a tri bike? Just a road bike with clip ons to keep the same average speed? |
| 2009-07-21 9:12 PM in reply to: #2300330 |
Extreme Veteran 569 Austin, TX | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology The engine owns, technology helps. |
| 2009-07-21 9:23 PM in reply to: #2300330 |
Extreme Veteran 570 | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology supa-powa - 2009-07-21 7:31 PM I was looking around on the internet google search today to compare the finishing times of ironman hawaii from 2008 times to previous times. I saw that in 1991-1994 the winning times are about the same of even better than 2008. This got me wondering, that with all the advancements in technology of aero/TT/tri bikes that do they make that much difference? Even going back to 1986, the overall finishing time is only 10-15 mins slower. Also a comparison... how much faster would your average speed increase from an entry level road bike to entry level tri bike? It just seems with the improvements in tri bikes and stuff, it hasn't made heaps of time reductions if you consider the race is 8+ hours. Does this therefore mean that you don't even need a tri bike? Just a road bike with clip ons to keep the same average speed?
I have been thinking about this very thing and even yesterday tried looking for info as to the differences in the Tour de France times from years past. I ride an late 80s model Bianchi and though it is 7-9 lbs heavier than today's road bikes it was a very high end bike in it's day. I used to have a Tri bike and it was faster. no doubt, but now I am back at it I am thinking I will ride and train on my Bianchi until I just can't get any faster on it . . . or that's what I keep telling myself anyway. I do think we get WAY too caught up in the gear . . . and it's so easy to do cause it all looks so good! |
| 2009-07-21 9:34 PM in reply to: #2300330 |
Master 1609 Gold Coast Australia. | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology Wait, now how about all those claims here how much faster you'd be using a tri bike. Something doesn't add up. Hey, maybe the elite riders now need a better bike fit... |
| 2009-07-21 9:42 PM in reply to: #2300330 |
Extreme Veteran 767 Alexandria, VA | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology Maybe new technology is allowing weaker riders to be competitive, while the strongest riders have long ago reached the physical limitations of the human body. Maybe not completely true, but it could be something like this is happening. It seems advances in things like training and nutrition would have an effect in bringing down race times too. Maybe this is mud in the face of people who think steroids/genetic modification will change the face of sports, or not. I guess some people said a human couldn't break a 4 minute mile or a 2 hour marathon (Im sure it will happen some day), too. |
| 2009-07-21 11:10 PM in reply to: #2300330 |
| Expert 658 | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology Yes, I was reading a book on the histroy of the tour de france for the last 100 years of it. Really cool pictures of the peleton filling up cups and bottles at a fire hose haha. Oh how times have changed. So to be totally honest.. Is the main reason people that people buy high end bikes that are just average cyclists to ride it more because it's a super good bike, or is it for the speed gains? I mean how much difference in speed would there be between these 3 bikes (pictures) if an average say 20mile/hr over a olympic distance triathlete riding them. (1.jpg) (2.jpg) (3.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1.jpg (41KB - 19 downloads) 2.jpg (37KB - 10 downloads) 3.jpg (49KB - 11 downloads) |
| 2009-07-22 7:16 AM in reply to: #2300330 |
Master 1853 syracuse | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology supa-powa - 2009-07-21 9:31 PM I was looking around on the internet google search today to compare the finishing times of ironman hawaii from 2008 times to previous times. I saw that in 1991-1994 the winning times are about the same of even better than 2008. This got me wondering, that with all the advancements in technology of aero/TT/tri bikes that do they make that much difference? Even going back to 1986, the overall finishing time is only 10-15 mins slower. Also a comparison... how much faster would your average speed increase from an entry level road bike to entry level tri bike? It just seems with the improvements in tri bikes and stuff, it hasn't made heaps of time reductions if you consider the race is 8+ hours. Does this therefore mean that you don't even need a tri bike? Just a road bike with clip ons to keep the same average speed? 10-15 minutes is a lot of time. this is my first year watching the tour. I think Lance is back by 1:37 after 15 stages...Not even sure what the distance traveled is over those 15 days, but a lot. Every second counts for these guys. Even after you dumb it down for us mortals....if you want to place in your AG or OA, every second counts. 22 MPh and 22.3 MPH is sometimes the difference between 4th place and 1 st place. so, technology makes a huge relative difference. Now, tell your buddy/wife/husband who doesnt care about this sport that you just spend $2,000 to pick up 30-60 seconds over 40 miles, they may not think it matters. At the end of the day, understand the true difference this stuff makes (and there is a difference) and than decide if its worth it to you. also, you need to take into account conditions of the days you are looking at. No two days on the same course are going to be identical in terms of heat, wind, rain, etc....What about the water conditions on the swim? choppy or smooth?
|
| 2009-07-22 7:19 AM in reply to: #2300624 |
Master 1853 syracuse | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology supa-powa - 2009-07-22 12:10 AM Yes, I was reading a book on the histroy of the tour de france for the last 100 years of it. Really cool pictures of the peleton filling up cups and bottles at a fire hose haha. Oh how times have changed. So to be totally honest.. Is the main reason people that people buy high end bikes that are just average cyclists to ride it more because it's a super good bike, or is it for the speed gains? I mean how much difference in speed would there be between these 3 bikes (pictures) if an average say 20mile/hr over a olympic distance triathlete riding them. my guess is the P3 would pick up 30-60 seconds (same rider, same course, same day) you will pick up time from the disk, aero bars, aero helmet) again, you decide if its worth it..... |
| 2009-07-22 2:11 PM in reply to: #2300330 |
Master 2301 Rogersville, Alabama | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology What year did they change the Marathon Course? I remember hear the new course is a bit harder.???? |
| 2009-07-22 5:40 PM in reply to: #2302102 |
Expert 2547 The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology BamaDC - 2009-07-22 2:11 PM What year did they change the Marathon Course? I remember hear the new course is a bit harder.???? If you're referring to Hawaii, they have changed the run course a number of times. early 80's from Oahu to the Big Island early 90's they got rid of the section out by the airport, added the 'pit' around mile 1 and I believe that's when they took it into the natural energy lab. Next I believe they got rid of the 'pit' When the T2 hotel went out of business, they made 1 transition on the pier and the first 10 of the run are out and back on Alii Drive. (Which I think is easier than prior versions as some very steep hills were eliminated.) |
| 2009-07-22 9:02 PM in reply to: #2300330 |
Elite 2423 | Subject: RE: History of Ironman Bike Splits and Technology Its not the same course. It changed awhile back. However the engine does trump.
Also how much as the marathon increase over the last 20years? 5min? What about swim times 2s? Edited by aarondavidson 2009-07-22 9:04 PM |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK