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Justification

chiefwighamchiefwigham Posts: 19
in General Chat
Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice or a push really.

Been competing in duathlon/triathlon for about 18months now and been using my Trek hybrid bike (flat handlebars & 32mm tyres) with a set of clip on tri bars for the bike leg - 40km times range from 1hr12mins to 1hr23mins depending on the course.

Just wondering if I invest my kids inheritance in a nice little carbon road bike how much time am I likely to make up on the bike leg, if any? Couldn't face the stick if I spent all that money not to gain any performance enhancement.

Cheers

Comments

  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Going off my efforts in the same event, something like:
    2006 1hr 05 MTB
    2007 55min Giant SCR2 Road bike
    2008 49min Focus Tri bike
    2009 48min Focus Tri bike
    2010 45min Cervelo P2C

    But the BEST justification is you just look so cooool on the race photos
  • TesseractTesseract Posts: 280
    I'm guessing those are the Chief's times but reduced by the percentages you've improved? (Based on 45mins for 40km being very impressive ) If so you've forgotten the law of diminishing returns...

    ...but the premise is the same. I was doing about 1:25 on my MTB, that dropped to 1:15 on a roadie, another 5 mins off with clip on aero-bars, then another 5 off switching to aero wheels and full tribars. I'm on a proper tri-bike this year, but not raced on it yet. I'm hoping to finally break the hour though.
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    I'd also be impressed if I did a 40Km in 45mins

    No the event was the Lincoln Tri, 22K bike leg. I'm pleased with my time as in top third.

    You are quite right, diminishing returns, have yet to race there on my new wheels
  • BopomofoBopomofo Posts: 980
    1hr 12 on a tractor with tri bars fitted is a pretty impressive effort.

    A fancy-ass tri bike would probably give you 3-5 mins on that time. How often do you run out of gears (in either direction)? If you have enough gears then a tri-bike is only giving you an aero-advantage.

    However... what about the run? A tri bike should give you a bit more on the run too, as your legs shouldn't be quite so dead because of the modified seating position.

    But never mind the science. This is triathlon. Should you forfeit your kids' education and quite possibnly lose your house because you've blown £7k on a carb-porn fibre bling machine?

    Yes. Fact.
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Yes Bopomofo, you are quite right, remiss of me; the Garfield study established that a 78deg tri bike gives an advantage on the run for the first 5Km of the run over a road bike.
  • chiefwighamchiefwigham Posts: 19
    Thanks for the advice everyone.

    Tesseract thanks for pointing otu Zacnici's time error - I was considering packing it in if I was that much off the pace over 40km!!!

    Bopomofo - I never run out of gears on the climb as it's a triple but always run out of gears downhill and on the flat with even the slightest of tailwinds!!! Oh and £7k is a little out of my budget was thinking more around the £2kish mark!!!

    Oh and Zacnici where the hell do you get all this info from?

    Chieftan
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Re info; cos I'm a sad git who like to know what is happening and why.

    I like to train and race smart and whilst I am pleased with my fitness levels do have limitations and aches and pains hence my searchinh for any advantage. Having said that have made some ginormous cock ups but hey ho - that's life,
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