does size matter?
Wooly
Posts: 63
in General Chat
I'm just starting out on this tri gig and plan to do a wee super sprint in may. i've a folding Airnimal bike with 24inch wheels that i plan to undertake this on, what i wondered was witht he loss of 2 inches how much speed am i loosing?
0
Comments
I've planning an objective experiment to compare my 26" wheel mountain bike, with my nice shiny new 27" road bike.
Currently, I have only subjective evidence.
Last three rides on the same 10 mile course (mainly hilly, but all roads - "B", "A" and unclassified).
Ride 1: MTB - Low wind - 45 mins
Ride 2: MTB - High Wind - 50 mins
Ride 3: Road Bike - Very High Wind (almost got blown over by side wind) - 42 mins.
These were carried out over the space of about 4 days - so the quality of the engine is about the same!
Other things being equal, I think the Road bike is worth about 10 minutes - i.e. a dramatic 20% faster.
On the flat it would probably be greater.
As I say, I plan to do a more controlled experiment to measure the difference - if I can get round to it.
MTB is a good quality (shimano group set) from c. 1992 - no front suspension though!
Road bike is not too expensive - only has carbon forks. But it is red.
I'd say heck yes for the folding bike increasing cycle time, but also increasing effort leading to a slower run because you've exerted more energy. The one time I did an Olympic tri on my mtn bike (Some caring, understanding, nineties-type had thoughtfully nicked my road bike a week before the race and I was too skint to afford slicks on my mtn bike) added 40 minutes to my bike time, but also an added 20 or so minutes to my run because I was so wasted after pushing that bloody mtn bike around the course that I had to walk large sections of the run.
All that said, if you've got nothing else, then carry on, sir and have a great race! But if you've got the option, then a road bike will make all the difference in both your cycle time and the run as well.
Good luck!