Indian Pacific Wheel Race - IndyPac - IPWR

I can't tell what it is. White edges?

Yours,
Ye of the Triple Garmin Stack

You sure about that? Chain looks pretty far down (up?) the cassette to me.

I've never used one but perhaps the new DA direct mount RDs spring differently making it look like the chain is on larger rings.

#oneofusneedstostopmasturbating

What's the red thing on the saddle rail?

At least 4 large sprockets above that chain. #hippyisalwaysright

More crossed here but still with a couple spare. Photo op. Not like he's Crit racing.

One of their Touring units?

You sure about that? Chain looks pretty far down (up?) the cassette to me.

The other picture, the one you posted, looking at his arse. He looks like he is cross chaining in that. The mech is completely stretched out

What's the red thing on the saddle rail?

Dunno - it's pretty small! I'll see if I can get a closer look on Saturday morning!

From what I gather Mike didn't use a frame bag on the TransAm so perhaps there is a hidden platypus in there.

That would make sense

Hard to tell - if they're commenting after a photo but actually talking about a pic on a previous page...

You know it's not that big a deal though right? Modern chains, more lateral flex, bigger gear ranges, 1x11. Also, he's sponsored so who cares if he knocks a few hundred Kay off its life :) All the cool kids are doing it.

Sure, I wasn't fussed about it, just clarifying. He's posing for a photo.

Cross-chaining stopped being a thing with, I think, 9 speed. Certainly 10/11.

Which isn't to say there isn't a more efficient chainring/sprocket combination.

But it will no longer lead to an early death.

Or will it...

I think the rule of thumb for driveline efficiency these days is: big chainring - everything except biggest two sprockets.

Or you can read about testing this in detail: http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/friction-facts-free-speed-from-proper-shifting-44016/

And "C'mon Tim Frank!"

Looking forward to dot-watching.

I wouldn't put my thumb in there, but whatevs.

I'm always sticking my digits where they don't belong.

He can do what he wants with his chain. Pretty sure he's 1000 times the cyclist I'll ever be.

Is that a fairly common wheel choice for these sorts of events and things like Paris-Brest-Paris etc?

Not really, although it will become more common. Most people sacrifice aerodynamics and weight for durability and all-weather handling. It depends on the course too. Oz is relatively flat so aero is possibly more of a factor than weight. But you've also gotta be able to hang on when there's gusting winds around. Lighter riders can get away with sillier wheels... until the wind picks up :)

I was riding a disc and using an 808 for LEJOG record attempt. Jay Petervary used a disc wheel in Route66 race. The Hammer guy (Jason Lane) who came second to Mike in TABR used Zipps (808s I think). Lael used C64 Spesh Roval wheels.

Agree with that.

PBP isn't a race for most riders so not many are looking for fastest setup.

TCR has risk of Macedonian gravel and, last year, was very hilly so i ruled out carbon wheels for it.

Kristof is pretty conservative with his equipment so will probably use box section rims.

For mike, given he's using aero wheels, I can't see why he's not using a disc.

Last-minute panic #365:
My android phone malfunctions on the Rokform mount. Must be the magnets. So I need to go back to my blackberry.

I do wonder what the aero benefits at slow speeds are, F all from though.

I don't think those wheels would be much more aero than hed belgiums.

Also any assumption form those pics is pointless, they're promo pics. His race setup will be different. Luggage etc.

The % gains are bigger at higher speeds but at slower speeds you spend longer in the wind so they say you save more absolute time. Given the route involves 2,000km across a flat desert mostly in crosswinds, followed by 1,000km riding along a mostly flat coast, I reckon they will make a bit of a difference - more than, say, on the TCR last year.

There will be enough stretches where the effective wind speed might be 25-30mph with a 10-20 degrees of yaw (say, wind 25mph cross headwind + rider, eg me, 10-12mph). In those conditions, aero wheels should be working well.

How much? I don't know, and haven't tried to work it out properly, but I'd guesstimate a couple of hours over the course of the 2-3 weeks. Nowhere near as much difference as optimising body position, pedalling slightly harder, taking fewer / shorter breaks or even getting rid of a dynamo, but worth having.

In instagram, it looks like Allegaert is riding pretty much the same bike as in TCR last year, same wheels:

This was his bike in TCR.

Jesse Carlssons bike, with a bar end mirror:

Godspeed, bon courage and all that, @frank9755

Yeah, that's about my thinking.