Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?

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2009-07-20 2:26 PM

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Subject: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
Is there any advantage/sense to having them on a converted road bike?  I'm in my first season.

2009-07-20 2:41 PM
in reply to: #2296672

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?

Aero is still aero, no matter the speed. Still, there are other ways, greater benefits with less cost, to get aero or more efficient. Do you have:

-A proper fit?
-Clipless pedals/shoes?
-Aerobars?
-Proper clothing?
-Aero helmet?

It's your call, but I would go (and have gone) with a properly fitted tri bike before I go with aero wheels.



Edited by the bear 2009-07-20 2:42 PM
2009-07-20 3:04 PM
in reply to: #2296672

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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?

Rent race wheels for your big races until you get more interested in the sports and you know you'll be around a few years to make the purchase valid. But I'd still buy a new bike before I bought race wheels if I was you.

Remember to have fun!

2009-07-20 5:21 PM
in reply to: #2296672

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Master
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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
Wheels would definetly not be at the top of my list.

1) Proper Fitting
2) Hire a coach. It would probably get you better returns for your money.
3) Aero Helmet
4) Wheels
2009-07-20 5:35 PM
in reply to: #2297154

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Master
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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
tjtryon - 2009-07-20 5:21 PM Wheels would definetly not be at the top of my list. 1) Proper Fitting 2) Hire a coach. It would probably get you better returns for your money. 3) Aero Helmet 4) Wheels



Spot on.  But I'd like to add one.  My experience, 2 and 3 have show big gains for me.

1) Proper Fitting
2) Hire a coach. It would probably get you better returns for your money.
3) Get a power meter
4) Aero Helmet
5) Wheels


2009-07-20 6:24 PM
in reply to: #2297182

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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
BamaDC - 2009-07-20 6:35 PM

tjtryon - 2009-07-20 5:21 PM Wheels would definetly not be at the top of my list. 1) Proper Fitting 2) Hire a coach. It would probably get you better returns for your money. 3) Aero Helmet 4) Wheels



Spot on.  But I'd like to add one.  My experience, 2 and 3 have show big gains for me.

1) Proper Fitting
2) Hire a coach. It would probably get you better returns for your money.
3) Get a power meter
4) Aero Helmet
5) Wheels





You bring up a fantastic point. My question for anyone out there using one, do you get enough gains from a powertap to justify the price? I've been trying to decide if it is worth the $$$. I've been hearing very cool things about the iBike lately. Anyone with comments on the iBike?

2009-07-20 6:43 PM
in reply to: #2296672

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Master
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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
Until you can average 19 mph on the bike work on the engine (you).  Buying a lot of tech stuff will not help and be frustrating, piling up stuff in the garage but not getting better.   Its about you.
2009-07-20 7:05 PM
in reply to: #2297182

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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
BamaDC - 2009-07-20 6:35 PM
tjtryon - 2009-07-20 5:21 PM Wheels would definetly not be at the top of my list. 1) Proper Fitting 2) Hire a coach. It would probably get you better returns for your money. 3) Aero Helmet 4) Wheels



Spot on.  But I'd like to add one.  My experience, 2 and 3 have show big gains for me.

1) Proper Fitting
2) Hire a coach. It would probably get you better returns for your money.
3) Get a power meter
4) Aero Helmet
5) Wheels




I have all 5 of the above...one I think is the worst value for the money is race wheels..but they are sexy.

I think 1-3 are the best use of money and will get you more bang for your money long term.
2009-07-20 7:28 PM
in reply to: #2297286

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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
dexter - 2009-07-20 7:43 PM Until you can average 19 mph on the bike work on the engine (you).  Buying a lot of tech stuff will not help and be frustrating, piling up stuff in the garage but not getting better.   Its about you.


Ka-pow.  Dex killed it.

You can buy into the techno stuff, but if you invested another hour riding for every $50 in aero gear that you could buy (esp in your first year), you'd be faster for it. Work the engine, get on the bike, ride. Especially in a group, with people that are faster than you. You will get amazingly fast.

Next, specifically for a powertap....that'll do well after your first, second, or third season. At this point being your first season, you don't know you, your bike, or your performance well enough to help use the data to drive solid gains in performance. Also, if you are still considering aero wheels, get a disc cover for your existing wheel (in back) - 90% of the benefit, 10% of the cost.

And...this from a guy that bought into technology initially because I thought I needed it to be competitive. I didn't. I just needed to ride, and I could have done that on a mid-level road bike. Now I've got an aero helmet and zipps that are marginally beneficial, and a tri bike that I need to beg people to let me ride in a pack. And someone else has my cash.  I'd do things differently.
2009-07-20 8:17 PM
in reply to: #2296672

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The Original
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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
I might be in the minority here, but I have race wheels and I love them!  I wouldn't have it any other way   I don't have a powertap or aero helmet, but I do have a coach. 
2009-07-20 9:31 PM
in reply to: #2297465

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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
It's definitely easy to get caught up in everything.  I'm actually trying to talk myself OUT of a tri bike, so I thought maybe I could be content with race wheels. 

I do have a coach, a proper fit and aero bars.  But, I'm only maintaining about 18mph over a sprint, so I still have lots of work to do on the engine.

Thanks for setting me straight.  BT'ers come through again.

2009-07-21 5:47 AM
in reply to: #2296672


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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
I am considering renting race wheels for an upcoming IM.  I have the other stuff minus the power meter and aero helmet.  If it will gain 1 mph or more average over that distance I think I might rent them.  I expect to be a BOP racer for this race.  How much gain do the wheels make?

Thanks!
2009-07-21 7:46 AM
in reply to: #2297359

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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?
rkreuser - 2009-07-20 8:28 PM

I didn't. I just needed to ride, and I could have done that on a mid-level road bike. Now I've got an aero helmet and zipps that are marginally beneficial, and a tri bike that I need to beg people to let me ride in a pack. And someone else has my cash.  I'd do things differently.


A second grand slam! Nothing is more humbling than when the guy on the 25 year old touring rig slips by you like nothing on that new carbon aero wonder bike you have $5k invested in. Until you are nipping at a podium and your gear is actually keeping you off it, there is no sense in upgrading anything beyond the investment in more training time.

2009-07-21 7:48 AM
in reply to: #2296672

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Subject: RE: Race wheels for a (still new) BOP racer?

It's fun to get caught up in the bling, but I passed a number of bikes with Zipp wheels on my 15-year old Klein and $100 Bontrager Select wheels at IMCdA. 

For race wheels are you talking tubulars?  (They're lighter).  Have you ever changed a tubular tire?  Race-day is a horrible time to "practice" something like this. 

Are you seconds away from a podium spot?  Contemplating prize money?  If I were racing for $$ and 5-60 seconds were the difference between 0 and $ or $ and $$, then I'd be eying race wheels (but then I'd probably already have been properly fitted and have a coach and maybe some of the other gadgets). 

Ultimately, it's your money and therefore your call. 

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