No idea on your question... but congrats on the ride! That's some nice work!

Mine hasn't come off since I put it on last year,  many miles later no issues.  I wouldn't worry about it.

I think it probably depends more of the type of training rides that you do than anything else.

I recently got a set of 60mm carbon wheels and I have riden them during my training rides several hundred miles to get used to how they feel compared to my "normal" training wheels.  I think it is a good idea to get some miles on it during training to get comfortable with it, particularly in cross winds and fast down hill decents.    Other than that, I don't think I would train with a disc cover due to the winds that I often see during my training rides, the fact that I ride with a group most of the time, and the extra weight of the cover.  Your training rides are probably very different from mine and it may make more sense to keep it on for you?

Michael

wind won't have as much affect on the rear as it will on the front...a deep front with high cross winds will influence your ride then a rear disc. 

i have ridden in 30+ mph wind with disc cover no issues....i have seen people riding a 1080 front strugglign in the same conditions.

however to your point, i would ride with a cover or a disc.  that benefit is for the race...

I rode in a 25mph cross with a hed jet 90 in the front yesterday, and have to say, that it was worth the pain when it was not hitting a bad angle.... Also, I have a disc cover which I use for my power tap, and leave it on pretty much 24/7 except when on trainer. That being said, very easy to take off an on... maybe a 10 minute job.

POST SCRIPT: Nice freakin' time on your 100!!! That is awesome!

Edited by portaledge 2010-06-17 1:19 PM

Some people like to train heavy (weight and aero) and race light as possible.  Too each their own.

Why not 21mph for the aero helmet and 22 for a front wheel?

Why not get the TT helmet now.  It's not that big an investment considering it has just as much, if not more impact than a disc cover.

Either way...congrats on your 100 mile ride...that's pretty darn fast.  Did that include stops to refill bottles?

WTG on your 100 mi ride... was it HILLY or FLAT? 

Great job on riding 100 miles in under 5 hours!

There is no real reason why you can't just leave the wheel cover on. They are sturdy enough to put a lot of training miles on. It just might look odd to be on a training ride with a disc wheel (or an aero helmet), most people would assume they are for racing only. But it's your choice to do whatever you want, I say go for it!

Thanks for all the responses. The wheelbuilder website says not to leave the cover on all of the time. Maybe they don't think the hardware is robust enough. I will do as many of you suggested and make sure I get some miles on it and then play it by ear. Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement. I'm not sure how to answer the hills or flat question. I live in Binghamton NY and ride from Bing to Ithaca for my long rides. I would consider this route flat. I always like to have some kind of carrot to chase (the reason for the helmet goal). I am not completely sold on the aero helmet idea yet as I am a heavy head sweater and am not sure I want to sacrifice cooling for speed. 

My ride last week did not require any stops. I take a profile aqua cell (perpetum / heet mix) and 2 bottles of plain water on the bike, 6 fig newmans and 6 oz of EFS vanilla gel.     

Kevin  

Edited by chevy57 2010-06-18 4:14 AM

Spend the $150 on a TT helmet now, it will make a huge difference.  You can find them new (Giro Advantage 2) for under $150 on eBay.

I think y'all are missing the point on the helmet.  He is providing incentive for himself to train harder to get rewards. 


Has nobody here pottie trained a dog?

Excellent ride, dude.  I have had my disc cover for about a year and only taken it off once (for shipping).  I often wonder the same thing, but I do have a dedicated race wheel and training wheel and maybe they are not taking that into account.  Maybe send them an e-mail and ask - and then you could let all of us know.  Perhaps it is a safety issue - you know - so you are aware if something covered by the cover breaks and you don't endanger yourself (just thought of that for the first time while I was typing?

Performance bike has the Giro Advantage 2 on sale for $99
LINKY

And Tuesdays from 12-2? They hand out coupons like candy... search for them online.