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48x18 for shopping
50/51x15 for outdoor track league
53x14 for TT training
53x13 for most TT racing

Although I have a race next month that may require 52x12 (117") so we'll see how I get on there...

Xav

I'm not sure that would have an effective benefit, and they'd have to be Star Trekked up to the max to change crank length based up cadence and power output

Xav

The Revolox cranks were pretty mad!

http://thebloomingpoint.com/revelox-innovative-bicycle-crankset-version-rc1

Xav

On the other hand, there's very little time to be gained from doing 40mph rather than only 35mph on the easy bits (13s per mile), whereas if you bog down on the slow bits you can lose a lot of time (e.g. just dropping from 18mph to 17mph loses you 12s per mile)

For myself, once I drop below about 50rpm, I'm really struggling, so I need to have the slowest parts of the course in mind when selecting a gear to avoid that. At the top end, I know I'm still pushing hard on the pedals up to about 110rpm, and above that if it's downhill or wind assisted I just have a rest knowing that I'm not losing much time and might be sparing energy to use on the hard bits.

Yeah, I think it's a personal thing. I can plod along at low cadences quite happily but I really dislike not being able to put down the power at higher speeds. I do ride rolling courses on fixed (and will be riding most of next year fixed) so tend to see quite a wide swing in speeds.

On the right day fixed is absolutely faster than gears. There's no back check when you make a gear change, the dead spot is improved, the bike is eminently more aerodynamic and drivetrain efficiency is super high. On the wrong day it'll give you a pasting though ha

Xav

I did fancy doing a TT fixed this year. Not sure why. Just fancy it.

But then there is the issue of gearing. F1/25 would be a good course for it.

Lots of courses suitable for fixed. I'll probably be doing the H50/8 on the 11th May on fixed - I did the H10/8 on the 22nd but trashed my disc in the warm up so ended up on 102" rather than 110". Last 4km was around 120rpm and crossed the line at 130rpm, not ideal! Best course was the U47r (pancake flat) but no-one will promote on it now.

For me personally I gear for the fastest sections of a course, so work out your maximum speed and gear for that, rather gearing for the slow bits. You just get on with it when the cadence/speed gets low, but it's a waste of time spinning out at higher speeds for long periods when you want to put a bit of pressure on.

Calling it a drag and then saying it's not doable on fixed suggests that he doesn't ride fixed.

True! The last 1/3 (ish) is mostly downhill and the first 1/3 uphill with a rolling middle. I haven't actually ridden it yet though

Xav

I'll be at the 50. Potentially on fixed but I had a word with the organiser and he thinks there's one drag that probably isn't doable

Xav

There's actually a 50 on the 10th August on the H50/17 - 7am so maybe worth a punt. Week after the National 25

Xav

I think that's still my 25 PB course.

It's definitely a quick one, fast start and no real significant drags. I always find barelling into the Kingston Bagpuize roundabout on the way out at >30mph one of the more scary things I do on a bike though. Good course for fixed although I've only ever ridden it on gears

Xav

The H50/17 would be good if anyone wanted to use it, just need to make sure it's at the right time of day

Xav

Better than laps of the A4, that would be grim

Xav

I was quoted more than twice that but it was a while ago so could have changed? Nevertheless, our 2hr session charge includes all fees for Wolverhampton.

Xav

Yes, the AeroStick is a remarkable bit of kit. We may well be able to run a session at Palmer Park, the only issue is availability as if you turn up with booking up the entire track and it's in use, then it's game over. Same with a few places (eg Portsmouth) which is why we use Wolverhampton, we have a good setup there for track time

Ultra distance racing is always a good problem to solve - 10w improved aerodynamics will net you buckets of distance but if you lose comfort then it's back to square one, so there's a very important balance to be made

Xav

We can run a session even in wind, the kit we use takes that into account. Raining and extreme cold/ice is out though as over the course of a session you would get too cold/uncomfortable and your body position would be likely to shift about inadvertently. Plus you can't really wear a big puffer jacket whilst you're riding as that kills the data too!

Previously I've gone to a section of road at Birmingham airport at 1-3am to do testing (as they have excellent weather data available from the airport and the air is still) but the rabbit population was a bit deadly, they just went for my front wheel all the time

Xav

No, outdoors. I've done analysis at pretty much all the outdoor velodromes in the UK, but the base location for testing is Wolverhampton. We can do indoor testing but price/availability and allowance for geared bikes indoor makes it far easier to use outdoor tracks. The data is equally as good with the equipment and analysis that we can do

Xav

That's it - if you'd like to be added to the booking list my e-mail is xavier@aero-coach.com, we will have testing slots early next year but not right now in December when the weather is unpredictable and unhelpful!

Xav

Few of the head fairings are quicker than the newer TT helmets anyway. I've done analysis on quite a few and only found one (Giro Rev IV) that's quicker than the fastest safety option (for me, a Giro Selector with the wedge), but my visor kept coming off the Rev IV and eventually the straps always break off so it's no real problem. Only a couple of watts anyway.

As for getting faster - yes intervals. And have a chat with people in case you have a horrific position as well, huge gains to be had there regardless of fitness

Xav

Hiya - would you take £25 posted?

Cheers!

Xav