Wheels

[The OriginalSpartacus]

Depends what IM you are going to do, any wind over 20km/h is going to wreak havoc especially when it comes from the side. As you live in SA I am guessing you'll compete at the IMSA in PE which is not known for it's calm seas and wind still days. Personally I would not recommend going with the 101's, especially if it's a road frame and clip-on bars. If you aren't going to ride over 40km/h (as others have mentioned) the benefit will be minimal. the amount of extra watts needed to keep those wheels turning in the wind will nullify any watts you'll save from the aerodynamics.

 

It's my belief you'll get the most benefit from a 60mm in front and 80mm in the rear. I think you guys get Black Spade in SA? They make a 60/80mm combo for a decent price!

 

Not even the Pro's (bar some when they know there will be no wind and a few others who enjoy them) ride with 101's on the front.

 

Plus using 101's in a road race will be like wearing pink compression socks and slops at your local shopping centre. A serious no no but you might just get away with a 60/80mm combo. Spending that kind of money for one race a year would not be viable.

Edited July 20, 2011 by The OriginalSpartacus

[Tankman]

Some of us is actually accomodating guys like you by typing/talking (or trying to) in english to ensure all can enjoy and part take (or take part) on this website on the forums.

 

If you then make stupid jokes like these because of my lack of english language skills then maybe I should just tik in afrikaans dan moet jy maar dit self vertaal.....

 

I aret just traaaing to be lekker with you OK?

 

Tik in watter taal jy wil! As jy k*k stellings maak, gaan jy k*k antwoorde kry

[Minion]

you mean to say you're not cycling at that speed

 

that is a good point though. the faster you ride the more important aerodynamics become.

You actually save more time if you're going slower. The time saved as a percentage of total time is less, but the absolute amount of time is more.

 

You can see a rough illustration of this if you play around with the calculator on Analytic Cycling:

http://www.analyticcycling.com/ForcesSpeed_Page.html

 

First some fast riders:

 

A rider riding at 300W goes at about 44.0 km/h and takes 3271s to complete 40km.

A rider riding at 310W goes at 44.6 km/h and takes 3231s to complete 40km (i.e. 40s less).

The rider riding at 300W can also take 3231s if he reduces his drag (Cd) from 0.46 to 0.443.

 

Now a slower rider:

 

A rider riding at 200W goes at about 37.8 km/h. He would take 3806s to complete 40km.

The same rider would go at 38.3km/h if he reduced his drag from 0.46 to 0.443. He would now complete 40km in 3759s (i.e. 47s faster).

 

Over the 180km of an Ironman, the rider riding at 300W would save 3min and the rider riding at 200W would save 3:32 min.

 

NOTE:, the above assumes a 70kg rider, 0.5m² frontal area, 0.005 rolling resistance, zero gradient and sea level air density.

[Minion]

Depends what IM you are going to do, any wind over 20km/h is going to wreak havoc especially when it comes from the side. As you live in SA I am guessing you'll compete at the IMSA in PE which is not known for it's calm seas and wind still days. Personally I would not recommend going with the 101's, especially if it's a road frame and clip-on bars. If you aren't going to ride over 40km/h (as others have mentioned) the benefit will be minimal. the amount of extra watts needed to keep those wheels turning in the wind will nullify any watts you'll save from the aerodynamics.

This may not apply to PlanetXs, but the Zipp engineers say that crosswind conditions are the best time to go for a set of deeper section Zipps (e.g. 808s vs 404s). Their aero data also shows that 808s or a rear disk have significantly less drag than 404s and normal rims at high yaw angles (i.e. high cross winds).

 

Their advice is to ride the deepest wheel that you feel you can comfortably handle in the cross wind.

[Garfield2010]

Thanks to everyone for the advice except Tankman wat 'n brood is. Hy sit heeldag op die forum en soek *** met almal wat verkeerd spel... boooohoooo

 

I am doing the Cape Town Challenge so wind will be a factor. I have decided not to get the wheels but rather focus on the clothing, tyres and perhaps a few swimming lessons....

[TNT1]

few swimming lessons....

 

Good choice. Get your stroke right, will not only save you time, but energy on race day.

[Tankman]

Add spelling lessons to that then if you please but I never once mentioned or corrected your spelling! I'm not a member of the Spell Police.

 

Explaing stuff again, hhhmpft!

[Tankman]

Oh and don't take it so personal, I tuned you k*k, now get over it!

[Garfield2010]

Ja, its just that swimming makes up 1/14th of the race so........................

 

Speaking of...... they say caps, gloves and thermal sock will be allowed for the swim. Who sells those?

 

Is there like a speedo shop in joburg?

[gummibear]

Ja, its just that swimming makes up 1/14th of the race so........................

 

Speaking of...... they say caps, gloves and thermal sock will be allowed for the swim. Who sells those?

 

Is there like a speedo shop in joburg?

 

You havn't been swimming and you are doing Cape Challenge

 

How is your running?

[Garfield2010]

Running has never been better. Worked really hard at it and looking at a sub 5 hour marathon in IM Cape Town. Swimming is not an issue. I am a 01h20 swimmer. I rather spend hours on the run and bike which makes more of a difference then spending hours in the pool for maybe 10 minutes faster?

 

Anyways my shoulder is still fakt after the last IM so I have to rest it (rotator cuff). Will start swimming in September...

 

Are you doing the Cape Town Challenge?

[gummibear]

If you get out that cold water buggered you will battle for the rest of the race.3 months of swim training is cutting it fine.

[Garfield2010]

Interesting.

 

I found swimming to be really easy in terms of getting fit. If you are run fit then swimming is easy. Just make sure you keep your pulse under 140. And dont kick!

 

No really. I believe that if you can swim 1km, you can swim 5km's. Especially with da wetsuit!!

 

Why are you a "Bannes Uder"? What does that mean?

 

Oh and are there any training groups swimming at bass lake etc?

[camerons]

Interesting.

 

I found swimming to be really easy in terms of getting fit. If you are run fit then swimming is easy. Just make sure you keep your pulse under 140. And dont kick!

 

No really. I believe that if you can swim 1km, you can swim 5km's. Especially with da wetsuit!!

 

Why are you a "Bannes Uder"? What does that mean?

 

Oh and are there any training groups swimming at bass lake etc?

 

I'm with you on this one. If you're happy to be a middle to back of pack swimmer (1:20 plus) then you really don't need much swim training at all - provided you can actually swim. The fitness you're carrying from being run and cycle fit will see you through fine.

 

The only potential "issue" I can see is maybe the effects of the cold water on the body. I've never done a long swim in water as cold as capetown so really can't comment from personal experience but I guess it might take a while to warm up on the bike and get the heart rate under control. Perhaps some cold water practise would be benificial.

[gummibear]

I found swimming to be really easy in terms of getting fit. If you are run fit then swimming is easy. Just make sure you keep your pulse under 140. And dont kick!

 

No really. I believe that if you can swim 1km, you can swim 5km's. Especially with da wetsuit!!

 

That would be ok in warmer water but water temp is around 11 deg in November.That cold will sap all your engergy very fast if you are not fit.

[Garfield2010]

That is an issue. They have however said that special caps, gloves and thermal socks are allowed. Now we need to find these cause NO-ONE stocks anything like this.........

 

Did you swim in East Londen this year?