Aero/Gains Thread

Looking for neutral input on this as it's frying my brain....
Nat 25 (Scotland) I done a 54:37 off 294w. Data showing my cda as .209 from MyWindSock Premium and I can get very very close to that in Aerolab. So it's not far away! This was at 61KG myself, bike at 8KG and let's allocate a high 2KG for kit. 71KG total.
Lad next to me I was chatting to done a 52:14 off his claimed 293w. He's on Garmin Vector2's and I was on Vector 3's which are reading identically to the Vector 2's I replaced them with only 2 weeks ago!
He weighs 71KG taken from what he said to me at the event. Let's give him 10KG on top, same as me, for bike and kit so 81KG total.

It's a MASSIVE time difference for same watts. Possible power meter variance but I am doubtful. His PWM would be under reading heavily if the case. Mines checks out against my previous PWM and my smart trainer.
Other thing is his cda is of Tom Dumoulin levels!

Is there any correlation to heavier weight carrying more momentum or weight = higher maintained speed at set output?
This game baffles me sometimes :(
 
Jonny ///M said:
Looks like it was Graham smith going by the comments?

I ride with Graham all the time and when it's him and big Dougie sticking the boot in it hurts like ****!

Strava stalking it looks like he put 30s into you on the way out - tailwind? then on the way back put 1:05 into you which if he is pretty aero it will make a bigger difference into a headwind? Amazing what 1mph difference in average speed makes. I've heard of people that gauge efforts on drags and push harder on descents as you gain more speed for longer...

I reckon I did over 300w for my 23:35 10 but that power with an aero setup I'd be easy a minute quicker?
Click to expand...

Yeah it was Graham. First time I have talked to him and he's a proper sound lad. I appreciated him taking time to have a yap as usually its head down and nobody chats at these things.
Not for one second saying he isn't super strong as I have always known he is but numbers take over me at times when I look back. There was no tailwind either way really it was equal. Can see where he was faster in speed terms but watts are watts so it just gets me over thinking.
300w on full aero setup you'd be a load more quicker! Plenty lads doing 21's off way less watts than 300. Reckon you would love getting stuck into TT's Jonny :) Get some money sunk :p
 
@One More Solo - I reckon helmet is the next obvious one. Keen to test an Aerohead against my Bambino.
I tried slightly lowering CRR in Aerolab when I tried to come to a CDA for the guy who done 52 on similar power. I had to do so because at his weight and putting in an insanely low CDA it still put well over 53 mins. CRR had to be lower than default. So I lowered mine slightly also but I don't like knowing even a semi-accurate figure for this. Testing it is much more involved and cannot be exacted for race days anyway.
Arm rests are wider than I would want due to having my blip box mounted. I would actually be more comfortable (an more aero) with them very very narrow. I could only achieve this by trying to mount the blip box underneath my stem or by raising my arm rests. I am not wanting to raise them really.... The other alternative is to find or have arm rests made that are much smaller in terms of base. I like the high sides but I need only half of the base/platform size I have, they are way too big. So at least there are options.

@SoliD - Yes, more unknowns I am afraid. Other rider is Aerohead, Corima tri and disc with full cabled DA/Ulteg drivetrain.
I'm Velotec skinsuit (testing very well), Revolver FWS7 front with Corsa Speed and FFWD rear with a slow tyre. eTap for me and fresh waxed chain so DT is good. Helmet and rear tyre for me is obvious things to address I guess. Suppose I could be lowering my CDA and CRR quite a bit doing these and be surprised at how much time it will gain me.
 
touch said:
I'll preface this by pointing out that I'm rubbish at TTs and have no idea what I'm talking about:

I'd say the difference is nothing aero, just where and how you use your power.
Looking at the first 2.2 miles of the race (and assuming that your ride has the correct elevation profile because his is different and doesnt match up with the speeds).
hdR7q82.png
(you on the left, him on the right)
You've stuck strictly to your average power pretty much constantly whereas he has coasted down the hill a bit at under 200watts. You're ahead after this section (look at the total times taken rather than the average speed calculated by strava - i think the autopause or pickup time off the start line has messed that figure up a bit) but you've used 30watts more on average to get there. Drag increases exponentially with speed, so even though you were slightly faster down the hill, you've used a lot more power to do that.

Then look at the following 10 miles from this point to the turn.
lgxLDW2.png
(Again, you on the left, him on the right)

This is where he made up almost all of the time on you - there's not much difference in times on the return leg.
Having rested a little on the first descent, he is now putting out a bit more power (17watts more) on the flatter section which results in a higher average speed. You can see a small dip in power and increase in speed again where he takes a short break on a descent around 7 miles.
Overall, average power is not much different between the 2 of you but he the way that you've used the power is different. Conservation of momentum is the most important thing so pushing a little harder on the climbs and easing back on the descents.
Click to expand...

Apologies for the massive delays buddy. Not ignoring at all, just waiting until I got some time to sit and look over properly!

I appreciate you taking the time to delve into it and I think you have hit nail on the head. Although I do believe I can get a lower CDA (which will only help) I think having the numbers is one thing but using them in accordance to maintaining speed is another thing.

Still rather annoying that for 17w more after the start descent can net him a higher avg speed. On a hill 17w more than me would see him dropping like a stone but on the flat/at speed the weight difference is nowhere near as advantageous and a small number of watts between riders 10-20KG different equates to little.
 
Katoom said:
I don't know if this is the correct place but i'd thought i'd share.

A good workmate of mine used to Hill climb/race/TT's back in the day, (82 on) these are some of the pics he showed me and time.

He's still great on the hills at 64!
Click to expand...

Cool! :)
Never underestimate the older lad who used to be proper back in the day. Some deep lying mad strength just never vanishes.
 
@Berger - I went from 53/39 Q Rings to a 54 round Fiberlyte single. I'll never be going back!
I really did not get on with the Q's on the TT bike.

54 from 52 you are barely going to tell. It's not an extreme jump like it appears. You'll notice more from going Q to round if anything but do think if you need to keep a small ring then 54/44 would be a very good shout. Aerocoach have a big/little TT specific setup now but I think they might be oval slightly and not round.

Going to a 54 should see you a cog easier on whatever cassette you run on sticky bits. So should result in a better chainline. Have a play with ratio calculator as not sure what you run cassette wise and see what it works out as.
 
I was 100% taking the **** mate :p Love nothing more than the gods on FB and forums looking at pics of TT'ers and giving it both barrels.
 
What were the changes made at the fit?

I managed to nab a etap rear mech so I have no excuse now and will need to clear the dust off the TT bike and ride the thing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom