Testing on a budget

I suppose the easiest thing would be ... erm ... to try and see :D

Disc cover needs to be low profile or it will rub. Best plan is a Zipp 900 or a Corima disc with a VF Record 22mm fit and forget.

20mm Open Corsa haev fixed the issues and I've been loaned an Open Pro on Powertap wheel which I'll likely use for a while. It's got Aerojackets if I can find a replacement for the lost fitting plugs. I might be able to use the Knight 65 on the back now too but I'm leaning towards the Powertap to help me pace my first few races at least.

I'll get the GF to take some pics while I do an FTP test either tonight or tomorrow for an internet bike fit.

Eventually some (bad) photos - I need to get it outside.

and with pilot...

I've a video too but flickr doesn't want to upload it.

Unfortunately I'm having to scratch from this weekends stage race as I've developed a chesty cough and don't want to risk it lingering as I'm off to Mallorca next weekend and want to be in prime health for a week long smash fest.

Current eBay watch list consists of Powertap hubs and Corima disks :D

Get your head down!

Saddle needs to go up a bit (well actually it just needs to go, but up will do for now) which I think will help or I might need 20mm under the extensions, or maybe just some work on my flexibility!

Or maybe the Scott doesn't fit - if it was a rd helmet it would probably be the best fitting helmet I've ever tried but once I've tilted my head into the cradle feels like its too low and the front digs into my forehead. I just need to spend some time tuning my setup over the next couple of weeks.

How's this coming along?

Illness, aweek in Mallorca and a road race meant this was neglected for a while but it's got it's first race this Sunday so I got a long ride in on it last weekend, pointy hat and all, to work on my position and get used to the handling.

Here it is outside the cafe... (sorry for the Strava pic)

I have actually raced this course before, in 2012 on a road bike, possibly even with compact cranks and got a 1:03:47 so that's my target. After that^ road race I'm not even convinced I'll manage that - I feel like I'm going like a bag of spanners at the moment so we'll see what happens. I've also piled on the weight over the past month with getting stressed by work followed by buffet breakfasts and dinners and no will power in Mallorca. I handed in my notice the day before we went so that will deal with the work stress once my notice is worked and I can try to rebuild my form for later in the summer.

I'm hopefully going to be able to run my rear deep section for the race, I'll get that set up tonight and make a couple more positional tweaks then have a spin tomorrow to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Good work and good luck!

The Trek looks good and that's all that matters

6th! Legs felt awful from the off, think the saddle needs to come up a bit more. I'll take it & my turbo to work this week and work on my setup in my lunch hours before the Scottish Olympic distance champs next weekend.

Position isn't bad but I'm not keeping the tail of my helmet down enough - Picasa so I can't attach the image properly.

Link doesn't work...

Picasa sucks! I'll try and sort it.

See if that works now, otherwise I'll take a screen grab.

Sun was out so I got a couple more pics of the bike

I did find an issue when I was changing wheels after last weeks test ride - I hadn't checked to see if the borrowed wheel was true before using it so my chain stay now features a bit more tyre clearance than it used too...

so the hunt for a disc is well and truly back on! The tyre doesn't rub on my Knight deeps, however, the rim does a little under heavy efforts.

6th!

Well done!

Paves are wonderful tyres, but on race wheels!?

I figured I had enough other things to worry about than the few watts I'm losing through them! I've a pair of s-works somewhere but I haven't seen them since I took them off last summer. Will sort them for next weekend.

Thanks! - I'm pretty chuffed as I recon there is a chunk of time to gain even before I get fitter. Discovered afterwards that both my brakes were rubbing from the bike getting knocked over while I was putting my jacket in the time keepers car!

Well done!

Discovered afterwards that both my brakes were rubbing...

Every tester should have a wide repertoire of excuses to hand: I like your style!

I always like to keep a list to hand so I've something appropriate to every eventuality!

Had an interesting moment on Sunday - rolling back down the finish hill my back tyre, 20mm Open Corsa at 100psi, popped off the rim! Luckily it was just at the bottom of the hill and I was stopping at the time. So, I won't be racing again until I've got a new back wheel sorted.

I managed 25th in the Scottish Olympic distance champs with a 1:02:02 for 25 miles. The winner did it in 00:56:08 so plenty of work still to be done.

I had to borrow my girlfriends (far too big for her) skinsuit as Scottish Cycling don't allow you to wear plain black skinsuits. Technically I should probably have got a DQ for wearing that too but I think the comm was too busy dealing with black skinsuits and trip socks to notice

When you say "Olymipic distance" are you referring to Tri or is that what you all a 25mile TT up there? Are trip socks banned from tri now? Also what could they possible have against black skin suits?