toucci

I'm doing my first TT tomorrow (20k) and I'm trying to decide what equipment to use. I've got the bike done except for the rear wheel (front is already an American Classic 420).

I can either:

• Use my PowerTap/Open Pro to target my exertion level
• Use my other AC420 wheel w/o PT (34 mm) for better aerodynamics

Is it worth ditching the PT for better aerodynamics at the risk of tiring out earlier? I will be going 26-27 mph if that matters. The course is entirely flat but can be windy. I feel more comfortable with the PT but if the aero advantage is huge at that level I'll ditch it and use my perceived exertion and speed instead.

ElJamoquio

No. Under no circumstances run without the PT.

DrWJODonnell

Is it an A priority race? I would not lose the power information at all. If you fear losing by 1 second or so, and can pace yourself VERY well via HR or RPE then go with the other wheel. Otherwise, PT all the way.

patentcad

But if you leave the PT home, how will you past the graph here the next day?

YMCA

If I comment, I'll be shot.
Just ask yourself this.
What would Sean Kelly do?

daytonian

use PT and drive course beforehand being your first tt.

skydive69

I would go with the aero wheel. You seem to know what speed you can hold - just bloody hold it! I think most time trialists fail because of lack of mental effort. A TT is a lot of work both physically and mentally. You cannot allow your mind to wander. You must constantly check your position, grip, breathing, cadence, speed, etc. You seem to know what speed you can run so I assume that you have done extensive interval training. Do not allow your speed to fall off. Embrace the pain - do not disassociate from it. Keep testing your limits to see if perhaps you can go slightly faster. I have been in time trials where the top three spots were separated by 4/10th of one second. Let's see, would I rather have had my aero wheels or another thing to look at? I'll take the wheels.

As an aside, I time trial with a Zipp 999 set (disk rear - 808 front). I assume you have the proper equipment such as aero helmet, skin suit, booties.

Some have the theory that on an out and back course, the outbound portion should be run as it is the whole race. I subscribe to that theory, and have set some state records using it. I especially attack the outbound leg when it runs into the wind. Anyway, whatever you choose to run, be tough, and good luck. If it is not incredibly painful, you screwed up!

I know you didn't ask for any advice other than the wheel, but I am so passionate about time trialing that I couldn't help myself.

daytonian

btw congrats on the magazine article/pic skydive

ElJamoquio

Difference on the rear wheel is not much. Difference in 2 MPH in windspeed represents about 20% more/less power. That's the difference between 60 minute power and 5 minute power.

Your first TT, you're going to feel way too good at the start.

smoke

i vote for using the pt wheel, for one reason only; you said it's your first time trial. i think the data derived from it may help you get better at TTs later. eventually, i think you'll give up the pt to use the more aero wheel, as i would. but for the first few efforts, i think the info gleaned from the pt could be useful

skydive69

Which one did you see Daytonian? I had an amazing run last month appearing in three magazines. Did you see the article on winning the Masters Comeback Athlete of the Year Award? My scrapbook got a hell of a workout!

daytonian

I think it was Road Bike Action Magazine. You got about a quarter page photo and bio. Very cool.

wfrogge

I say use the PT to get data... Now if it were an A race and you know your PE zones a case could be made for the more aero rear wheel.

Little late but you can buy a full rear disk cover for that Mavic PT whel.

skydive69

That one surprised me as I turned the page, but the cool one was the multi-page article in Masters Sports magazine.

daytonian

So do you train with or have you train(ed) with a powermeter at all?

edit: just to get your take on them.

merlinextraligh

The AC 420 isn't that aero; its not like we're talking the difference between a conventional wheel and a disc.

ElJamoquio

...and it's the rear wheel.

HigherGround

He was asking about wheels, not whether or not to use toe clips and straps.

toucci

I will use the PT wheel, then. If I were skilled enough and in definite contention I would like to go without it, but I could toast my legs doing 500 watts into a headwind without knowing it at this point. Being my first TT, it should provide some good data for my Critical Power graph which currently loses relevance after 6 minutes

Thank you, daytonian, for suggesting I drive the course. It's Fiesta "Island" in San Diego and has some dirty sections from the recent rains that I hadn't expected. I drove the loop twice to find the corners that are safe to apex tightly and those where I need to hang outside.

Next task: getting my PT hub laced to something slipperier but still daily rideable for a 140-pounder.

HigherGround

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert in time trials, or to have been as accomplished of a racer, but that was all very well said!

skydive69

I think power meters are fantastic. My son trains with one, and he loves it, and of course the readouts are fantastic. It is truly the way to train, but I have my reservations about racing with one. I've seen people panic, because they were not doing what they thought they should do on a power meter. In time trials, I have too many things to deal with and think about already without adding another thing.

To answer your question, however, I don't personally use one because I train with and race with so many different wheelsets. I had looked at the Ergomo, but there has been quality control issues with them, and they are not compatible with DA cranks which I run on two of my bikes. Also, I am not nuts about the wired PTs - the wires seem to be problematic. Bottom line, however is that I would love to train with one.

Oh, and yes, I swapped bikes with my kid when I was visiting him in Dallas for Christmas, and enjoyed using his power meter.

toucci

I am going to have to suffer extra tomorrow just to have something good to show skydive69 after his motivating posts

daytonian

+1

skydive69

Cool! Go get them! Let us know how you did when you get back. I will be very interested to hear your impressions of the event. The only time I even do road races is in championship events - I'm a sucker for a free jersey!

Now say after me, "I will embrace and enjoy the pain, I will not let my mind wander, I will constantly check my position on the bike, I will relax my arms and face, I will not let any negative thought enter my mine, I will do a very thorough warm-up of at least one hour, I will do some pickups at race pace and allow my body to dissipate some lactic acid, I will come to the line with a very, very warm engine, I will not have anything left when I cross the finish line, I will kick my opponents butts!!

DrWJODonnell

I like to shorten it.

Power, Cadence, Aero, Demoralize. Repeat until the finish.