The Time Trial Thread

[Matt_N]

m444ttb said:

I've now had four attempts at 10 miles. Three on the same local course and the course near Bristol mentioned above. At the local one I've managed to bring my time down from an initial 24:16 to 23:12. One more go before it wraps up for a year. I'd like to dip under the 23 minute mark but that may have to wait until 2018. The TT near Bristol was interesting. Got stuck at the roundabout turnaround point for what felt like forever and had to overtake two traction engines! It was also a little lumpier than the other course and as a consequence my slowest of the lot. No changes on the bike or equipment throughout so I'll consider over the winter whether there are any quick (and cheap) wins there. I have a few spacers I could begin to work out now as a starting point.

That's just down the road from me, I hate that stretch of road!

I'm no TT'er but there are quite a few events in the area, one run by Sodbury Cycle Sport that goes from the Cross Hands at Old Sodbury so 5 mins from U102, last one of the year is next Thursday 7pm if you want to get another in for the year.

https://www.sodburycyclesport.co.uk/tt-series

[m444ttb]

Probably my final TT of the year (unless I find some localish events to enter on CTT) with another go at the 10 miler I've done three times already. I'm happy with what I've achieved this year so may risk it to see if I can get under 23 mins. I still have quite a few spacers at the front so could drop the bars a fair bit. I may realise this is a mistake 30 seconds in and have a horrible ride with a poor time. Actually, it would be better than it feeling awful and having a PB as I'd have to stick with it then lol

[BeirutTaxi]

Hi everyone,

I would be grateful for some advice RE: time trial wheels.

What are the pros and cons of running a disc rear wheel over a 80mm-90mm profile wheel?

I'm looking at the HED Jet 9 (£750) and the HED Jet C2 disc (£900) - although if there are better wheels for the money I would be grateful for guidance

Kind regards,

Matt

[anonymous-user]

BeirutTaxi said:

Hi everyone,

I would be grateful for some advice RE: time trial wheels.

What are the pros and cons of running a disc rear wheel over a 80mm-90mm profile wheel?

I'm looking at the HED Jet 9 (£750) and the HED Jet C2 disc (£900) - although if there are better wheels for the money I would be grateful for guidance

Kind regards,

Matt

Depends on the course and the weather AIUI

Here is an interesting piece on the subject

http://www.cyclingpowerlab.com/AeroWheelBuyersGuid...

and I remembered seeing this on cycling weekly a bit since

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/videos/cycling-tech/h...

[okgo]

BeirutTaxi said:

Hi everyone,

I would be grateful for some advice RE: time trial wheels.

What are the pros and cons of running a disc rear wheel over a 80mm-90mm profile wheel?

I'm looking at the HED Jet 9 (£750) and the HED Jet C2 disc (£900) - although if there are better wheels for the money I would be grateful for guidance

Kind regards,

Matt

No cons, all pros.

The HED discs are among the fastest you can buy.

[AyBee]

BeirutTaxi said:

Hi everyone,

I would be grateful for some advice RE: time trial wheels.

What are the pros and cons of running a disc rear wheel over a 80mm-90mm profile wheel?

I'm looking at the HED Jet 9 (£750) and the HED Jet C2 disc (£900) - although if there are better wheels for the money I would be grateful for guidance

Kind regards,

Matt

Aerocoach has been testing a prototype disc recently so unless you're desperate for a disc now, it may be worth waiting to see what they come up with.

[m444ttb]

okgo said:

No cons, all pros.

The HED discs are among the fastest you can buy.

I've never ridden with a disc or 80-90mm wheels so excuse my ignorance, but do they feel equally bad in a cross wind? I'd have expected the disc to be materially worse.

[Benmac]

m444ttb said:

I've never ridden with a disc or 80-90mm wheels so excuse my ignorance, but do they feel equally bad in a cross wind? I'd have expected the disc to be materially worse.

Rear wheels make very little difference in a cross wind to normal wheels so the disc being on the back is largely immaterial, certainly up to crosswind speeds you'd consider riding in. On the front, yes deeper wheels can get buffeted, some designs worse than others. Seems to affect some people more than others. It's never really bothered me but I have friends who moan about spending large portions of races on the main handlebars for fear of being blown off.

I take a 60mm wheel with me for really windy days. I usually use either a 80mm or a tri-spoke.

[m444ttb]

Thanks. Given the weight over the back that makes perfect sense.

I rode my final 10 mile TT of the year yesterday evening. The same course I've done four times before this year. Managed an all time best 20 min power (the final 20 mins of the ride) but was 23:25, which is 12 seconds slower than my previous time. Reasonably confident in the power figure (as much as you ever can be). Just one of those things I suppose.

Something I have noticed on the TT's I've done this year is I go fastest / make the most power when pushing 80-82rpm. On my road bike, which has compact chain rings, I'm 90-100rpm to make my best power. Is this a common thing or just me? My natural cadence without fatigue is probably just below 90rpm but I've spent a year training that up on my commutes and doing specific cadence builds on the turbo. Only this week I hit my highest ever rpm on the turbo during one of the cadence builds of 190rpm.

[BeirutTaxi]

Thanks to everyone who has replied and discussed so far RE: my wheel question.

HED wheels look like good VFM from what I have read.. Nearly all the benefits of the very, very best wheels but for 70% - 80% of the cost.

[anonymous-user]

BeirutTaxi said:

Thanks to everyone who has replied and discussed so far RE: my wheel question.

HED wheels look like good VFM from what I have read.. Nearly all the benefits of the very, very best wheels but for 70% - 80% of the cost.

see if you can borrow one from someone for an event to try before you buy

[johnxjsc1985]

BeirutTaxi said:

Thanks to everyone who has replied and discussed so far RE: my wheel question.

HED wheels look like good VFM from what I have read.. Nearly all the benefits of the very, very best wheels but for 70% - 80% of the cost.

I still have a Zipp 950 and a HED Tri spoke if your fairly local you would be welcome to borrow them. They are on Tubs though.

[anonymous-user]

Another member for the sub 17' 10 mile TT club yesterday...

Not me (of course), but James Gullen on the V718 16'59"

https://twitter.com/James_Gullen/status/9018764802...

Hot on the heels of setting a new course record on the "hilly" V415 the day before

https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-results/...

[Surfr]

JPJPJP said:

Another member for the sub 17' 10 mile TT club yesterday...

Not me (of course), but James Gullen on the V718 16'59"

I rode the 'slower than 22' event on the same day and PBd by over 2 minutes with a 21:41 which I'm immensely happy with. Epic result for Gullen though.

[anonymous-user]

Surfr said:

I rode the 'slower than 22' event on the same day and PBd by over 2 minutes with a 21:41 which I'm immensely happy with. Epic result for Gullen though.

well done, good ride

[IroningMan]

After a nine-year break I've just lowered my 5 mile PB by a smidge. Only the second time the TT bike has been outside in the last several years, too, so all good.

[okgo]

Got a couple of fast tens coming up before I call time on this season. Probs going to do one of those on my roadbike for pure interest sake, be interesting to see how much slower I am.

[BeirutTaxi]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question RE: training. Do any of you do aerobic base building as part of your out of season TT training? I'm fairly time crunched during the week (10 hours a week tops for training) and I'm unsure whether it is worth it. Surely I would be better off spending time in zone 3/sweetspot?

Okgo did you do the TT on your road bike RE: your last post?

Kind regards,

Matt

[BeirutTaxi]

AyBee said:

Aerocoach has been testing a prototype disc recently so unless you're desperate for a disc now, it may be worth waiting to see what they come up with.

Just looked that up.. Wow that's VERY cheap for a disc at £685.. The HED Jet Disc is £1200

[m444ttb]

Any recommendations for tubular tyres for TTs? Not sure whether they will be 23 or 25mm yet (or perhaps one of each) if that makes a difference.