Time Trial / Time Trialling / TT

Front wheel sorted - I want a new rear wheel. Lighter, faster, more wom. I've only seen @xavierdisley's company's claims on the leg trips - any independent tests? How much would they gain me during a 12 or 24hr? Would they stay attached?

I know it's not all about getting low but I'm explaining that I've found some limits and I'm aware that messing with my general position on the bike is more likely to harm than help. I'm sure there's things that can be done but I'd be worried about changing my pedaling style to get more aero. That's why arm positions are nice to test - testing them works and moving them doesn't fuck my knees or cause any number of other issues that appear when doing thousands of miles.

Topham can get his head much lower than mine. I've tried to get lower but it's prove impossible to hold over longer distances.

I think you're missing the point again. I'm not saying no to aero testing, I'm saying I want faster kit too. But it would be nice to know what the fastest kit was for me.

How about stop being a buyer and do some training?

#hippybait

It's hardly bait since you know I'll be training AND buying. At least my buying is justified.

What riding did you do on the weekend?

Time to take a dump. #weightweeniethread>>>

"The reduction in CdA for both legs is up to ~0.004m2, with rider-rider variations. This typically translates to a ~5w or ~7sec saving over 10 miles."

Know of any handy calculators that can equate CdA reductions to speed differences? Assuming that's the uppermost benefit, how much would it gain me during a 12hr. I assume that 7sec/10mi is at 30mph and my maths isn't very good.

You need to know what your CdA is already to calculate how much time it would save, or to give an educated guess. I'd save more time in a race from a 5w saving than you would, even if were previously producing equal times.

Tops doesn't have a particularly low head these days.

What riding did you do on the weekend?

None

If I know my CDA approximately. How would I then work out distance gains?

Look at the 'v' behind my head compared to his. Massive diff. and he looks to be cornering so might even have moved.

Good. Training is cheating!

That's beyond me at the moment. Best asking on the TT forum, one of the real aerogeeks might be feeling generous.

What bike is he on? Is that a recent PIC? Looks like the same thing Hoppo rides.

Falco? No?

Try here: http://www.cyclingpowerlab.com/PowerSpeedScenarios.aspx

Yeah, a Falco. Did a 19 at Bentley on a very windy day in December. He reckons it's measurably faster than a Speed Concept.

If I know my CDA approximately. How would I then work out distance gains?

Plug the CdA and Crr numbers into a formula which predicts speed, verifying against the old number and known speed/power curve. That gets you a new speed/power curve, and assuming no change in power you can just work backwards from speed to time or distance. If you're really obsessive, you'll model the correct distribution of speed over the course allowing for gradient too.

That's the one.

So I could just use one of my Aerolabs and manipulate the numbers? I don't have it handy so this might be talking bollocks.

Ta, I'll have a crack later.

http://www.falcobike.com/ttwhitepaper.pdf

So I could just use one of my Aerolabs and manipulate the numbers?

Something like that. I don't Aerolab, so I don't know whether you can drive it in reverse, but mathematically that's what you're aiming for.

We will be having some updates to the Aero-Coach service in the coming weeks, hopefully. I can test in lots of different conditions at Wolverhampton but might be changing location. No more info than that at the moment.

Over 12 and 24hrs minute changes in CdA will result in large distance differences. Assuming CdA 0.22 and distance 295 miles, then a 0.004 reduction in CdA would add 1.65 miles to your total for the same power output.

It's hard enough to dress for TTs without gluing shit to myself.

If you're sticking with the calf guards, surely you could get the leg trips effect with some carefully placed embroidery?

It's all too complicated. DVT + calf guards + leg trips. Time to buy a Hayabusa instead.

That's the problem with not being able to accurately test this stuff, I'm just trying stuff I think might work but I really have no idea if it's helping or hindering.