login
New wheels vs. Carbon Frame
-
No new posts
 2009-09-06 8:48 PM |
New user 3 |  Subject: New wheels vs. Carbon FrameI have a Fuji newest 2 road bike, entry level components mostly, and am looking to improve my performance on my bike leg. Is it better, for speed, to upgrade to expensive hed 3c wheels or sell my bike and upgrade to a carbon frame? I am only doing sprint and olympic distances for the next year but would like to do a half ironman eventually. If it makes a difference i have been averaging 18.9 mph on my last two races which were rolling hill sprint courses. The top finishers seem to be around 23-25 mph so there is ALOT of room for improvement. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Jim |
| 2009-09-06 9:01 PM in reply to: #2392754 |
Champion 7136     Knoxville area | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame First, Welcome to BT. Well... it's difficult to answer that question. Are you wanting to do mostly road races? Triathlons? What kind of budget are you looking at? What are your goals for the next year or so? There are a lot of things to consider. Race wheels aren't going to put you into the 23-25mph range... in a sprint they might shave off a few seconds. On the same note, neither will a carbon frame. Now, if you just "want" a new bike or new wheels, that's a different story, but there are better ways to get faster for the money. Coaching, a powertap, a tri geometry setup. |
| 2009-09-06 10:04 PM in reply to: #2392754 |
Master 1890  Cypress, CA | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame The 23-25 mph guys are not doing that because they have better gear than you. If you want to get into that range training is the key, not equipment. |
| 2009-09-06 10:14 PM in reply to: #2392774 |
| New user 3 | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame Thanks for the welcome! I figured it would be ALOT of training and I am a beginner, just not sure how much speed benefit actually comes from better wheels, vs my spokes. Im not really wanting anything as far as gear goes, i just want to know that i am not losing alot of speed due to my gear. So what is a powertap? What about a tri geometry setup? I did have the store fit my bike but have since added aero bars. Thanks again |
| 2009-09-06 10:37 PM in reply to: #2392847 |
Champion 7136 Knoxville area | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame DrJStrunk - 2009-09-06 11:14 PM Thanks for the welcome! I figured it would be ALOT of training and I am a beginner, just not sure how much speed benefit actually comes from better wheels, vs my spokes. Im not really wanting anything as far as gear goes, i just want to know that i am not losing alot of speed due to my gear. So what is a powertap? What about a tri geometry setup? I did have the store fit my bike but have since added aero bars. Thanks again I'm sorry in advance I'm about to butcher this explanation... but a powertap measure's how many watt's you put out on the bike... it's a tool *sort of* similar to a cadence/mph computer or heartrate monitor... But, it let's you keep track of where (what gear) you are making more power, etc. (search for more about them on here... I didn't do it any justice just then) Honestly, I'd keep the fuji for a while unless it is giving you any *problems* in particular. There's always a new toy on the horizon, but the best thing you can do is ask lots of questions and read as much as you can so you make the most informed purchase possible. |
| 2009-09-07 12:26 AM in reply to: #2392754 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame Train the engine (ie you) instead of investing more money in the gear. I'd say you'd be better off hiring a good coach or training by a solid plan than spending money on chasing speed. Some of the fastest folks here on BT ride inexpensive road bikes with stock wheels. Use your enthusiasm to train smart and consistently all winter and you'll be amazed what you will be able to do next year. If you choose to invest in bike equipment go with a good tri bike over wheels first always. Wheels look cool but gain you maybe 40 seconds in an Oly race. Train smart, have a bike that fits you, or aero bike that you can ride in aero position, and you can gain way more time. |
| 2009-09-07 8:58 AM in reply to: #2392754 |
Pro 5892 , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame Assuming that your current bike fits you well and that all components are in functional order, a new road bike might give you a few seconds over a typical 40k. Aero wheels might give you about the same over the same distance. What you need is, like everyone has said already, to improve the engire. A new toy is definately worth quite a bit when it comes to this. Why not set a goal for yourself? When you hit 20MPH average in a race, get a new frame (if components are good already, you have no need to change those then...), when you hit 22MPH, get the wheels (or something like that)... engine will improve with training and training will improve by having a carrot. |
| 2009-09-07 2:41 PM in reply to: #2393075 |
Champion 7136 Knoxville area | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame audiojan - 2009-09-07 9:58 AM Assuming that your current bike fits you well and that all components are in functional order, a new road bike might give you a few seconds over a typical 40k. Aero wheels might give you about the same over the same distance. What you need is, like everyone has said already, to improve the engire. A new toy is definately worth quite a bit when it comes to this. Why not set a goal for yourself? When you hit 20MPH average in a race, get a new frame (if components are good already, you have no need to change those then...), when you hit 22MPH, get the wheels (or something like that)... engine will improve with training and training will improve by having a carrot. love it. +1 |
| 2009-09-07 9:13 PM in reply to: #2392754 |
| Master 2460 | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame I'm not considered a particularly strong roadie (I'm obviously a triguy), but I can do 23mph for an hour TT no problem on a $695 Giant Defy3 road bike with entry level 2200 Shimano components. Throw in hills and I'll do even better against the competition. |
| 2009-09-08 10:48 AM in reply to: #2393075 |
| New user 3 | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame This is exactly what i wanted to know.. great suggestions. Thank you all... Im off to go train in comfort knowing that i have everything i need to reach my goals. |
| 2009-09-08 6:07 PM in reply to: #2392754 |
Master 1890 Cypress, CA | Subject: RE: New wheels vs. Carbon Frame On the other hand, I don't think anyone here is trying to discourage you from buying a hot new bike and/or hot new wheels. You could easily convince yourself that you'd love your new bling so much that you'd ride more, hence be better trained, hence be faster... |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK