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Carbon Wheels
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 2010-05-14 5:39 AM |
Member 40 |  Subject: Carbon WheelsI saw an advert that mentioned the benefit of their carbon wheels if you are cycling over 25mph. For long races I dont get near that speed. Does that mean I won't benefit as much from changing to lighter carbon wheels? |
| 2010-05-14 6:38 AM in reply to: #2858166 |
| Subject: RE: Carbon Wheels For a triathlon weight doesn't matter near as much as aero, deep rim. If you're starting and stopping a lot, lot of turns, uphill mostly, and that sort of ride then lighter wheels will help out. If you go more than 1 MPH then aero wheels will give you a bit of help. At about 18 MPH you're talking 20-40 seconds for a 24 mile time trial, but they will help a little. You can almost ignore wheel weight for triathlon bikes. Almost. |
| 2010-05-14 7:08 AM in reply to: #2858166 |
Champion 7136    Knoxville area | Subject: RE: Carbon Wheels bugs - 2010-05-14 6:39 AM I saw an advert that mentioned the benefit of their carbon wheels if you are cycling over 25mph. For long races I dont get near that speed. Does that mean I won't benefit as much from changing to lighter carbon wheels? Lighter... unless it's quite hilly, you won't notice that. More aerodynamic... your speed does not matter when determining whether something is "aero" or not. A Corvette is more aerodynamic than a Mini Van at 120mph, 60mph or 5mph. Same deal with your bike/wheels/clothes/helmet/whatever. Even if you are a 15mph MOP athlete, with all that stuff on your bike, you will be going the same 15mph as the guy without all that stuff, he'll just be working harder for it than you are. Now at over 25mph (pro speeds) where *basically* everyone is on the same level, small things like a bit deeper wheel can give you that slight advantage. When races are often won by a few seconds, it becomes more important. To answer, you will benefit from lighter, deeper carbon wheels. Is it worth it? Only you can decide that. |
| 2010-05-14 7:20 AM in reply to: #2858245 |
Champion 9060 Charlottesville, Virginia | Subject: RE: Carbon Wheels Leegoocrap - 2010-05-14 8:08 AM bugs - 2010-05-14 6:39 AM I saw an advert that mentioned the benefit of their carbon wheels if you are cycling over 25mph. For long races I dont get near that speed. Does that mean I won't benefit as much from changing to lighter carbon wheels? Lighter... unless it's quite hilly, you won't notice that. More aerodynamic... your speed does not matter when determining whether something is "aero" or not. A Corvette is more aerodynamic than a Mini Van at 120mph, 60mph or 5mph. Same deal with your bike/wheels/clothes/helmet/whatever. Even if you are a 15mph MOP athlete, with all that stuff on your bike, you will be going the same 15mph as the guy without all that stuff, he'll just be working harder for it than you are. Now at over 25mph (pro speeds) where *basically* everyone is on the same level, small things like a bit deeper wheel can give you that slight advantage. When races are often won by a few seconds, it becomes more important. To answer, you will benefit from lighter, deeper carbon wheels. Is it worth it? Only you can decide that. x eleventy billion on every point here.... |
| 2010-05-18 11:24 AM in reply to: #2858268 |
| Regular 408 | Subject: RE: Carbon Wheels "Even if you are a 15mph MOP athlete, with all that stuff on your bike, you will be going the same 15mph as the guy without all that stuff, he'll just be working harder for it than you are." I don't agree with this statement or maybe don't understand. You will be going faster with all that stuff. Maybe 16mph while the other guy is going 15mph. But yes you need to put the effort in that you did previously to go 15mph |
| 2010-05-18 11:32 AM in reply to: #2865817 |
Champion 7136 Knoxville area | Subject: RE: Carbon Wheels bartturner - 2010-05-18 12:24 PM "Even if you are a 15mph MOP athlete, with all that stuff on your bike, you will be going the same 15mph as the guy without all that stuff, he'll just be working harder for it than you are." I don't agree with this statement or maybe don't understand. You will be going faster with all that stuff. Maybe 16mph while the other guy is going 15mph. But yes you need to put the effort in that you did previously to go 15mph No. You won't. To make it simpler lets assume that you both weigh the same, are both in an equally aero position on the same bike and are both racing on flat ground... with a power meter. You have a disc wheel, Hed 3 front, skinsuit and an aero helmet... he is on Shimano R500 wheels with a t-shirt and regular helmet on. If you are both going 15mph He is producing more watts than you are. Now, if you were producing the same watts HE is, then you may be going 16mph. |
| 2010-05-18 3:40 PM in reply to: #2858166 |
Expert 1484 | Subject: RE: Carbon Wheels Wheels are not a rational purchase, they are cool though...  Wheels are the worst upgrade in terms of $/watss or time saved: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/how-aero-is-aero-19273 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/04/biggest-bang-for-your-buck-i... http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15505311.html http://www.hedcycling.com/aerodynamics_technology/default.asp I boils down to Tri spoke front and disc rear is the fast combo, but you's see way bigger gains for a lot less money with simple things like bike fit, aero bars and aero helmet. Kinda makes the $90 for a disc cover make a lot more sense in terms of cost:benefit. |
| 2010-05-18 4:12 PM in reply to: #2865817 |
Elite 3315 Miami | Subject: RE: Carbon Wheels bartturner - 2010-05-18 11:24 AM "Even if you are a 15mph MOP athlete, with all that stuff on your bike, you will be going the same 15mph as the guy without all that stuff, he'll just be working harder for it than you are." I don't agree with this statement or maybe don't understand. You will be going faster with all that stuff. Maybe 16mph while the other guy is going 15mph. But yes you need to put the effort in that you did previously to go 15mph you misunderstood the statement. think in terms of 1 rider.... first he rides a tt with no aero stuff at EXACTLY 15 mph and then rides a tt with all aero equipment at the exact same speed 15 mph....riding without all the aero stuff the rider will have to generate a higher wattage expenditure. IE no aero stuff @ 15 mph 275 watts all aero stuff @ 15 mph 240 watts this is just to demonstrate example you are saving 35 watts with wheels, helmet whatever else. now the idea is that IF you ride with all aero stuff and you rode at the same 275 watts you will generate higher speed. Edited by trix 2010-05-18 4:13 PM |
| 2010-05-19 3:33 PM in reply to: #2858166 |
Veteran 283 Racine, WI | Subject: RE: Carbon Wheels Leegoocrap and Trix are saying the same thing, just in two different ways. In Summary: It takes less power to ride at the same speed if you are more aerodynamic. carbon/aero wheels sure are cool though. |
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