Racer Tech Thread
#3576
OMC
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 6,960
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Allez Comp Race
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 461 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
49 Posts
I used my 500 for about four years until the buttons stopped working and replaced it with the 520. I like the 520 better, especially the display. My 520 does have a glitch - it doesn't want to stay paired with my iPhone 5s, so I have to download rides directly like I did with the 500. Consequently, I can't comment on battery life since it's recharged every time I ride.
A propos battery life being affected by how often the unit is charged, I ride 5-6 days/week so the 500's battery was charged about 1k times. Rides lasted up to six hours and I always had a good bit of charge left.
A propos battery life being affected by how often the unit is charged, I ride 5-6 days/week so the 500's battery was charged about 1k times. Rides lasted up to six hours and I always had a good bit of charge left.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#3577
Ninny
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: The Gunks
Posts: 5,295
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 686 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My 520 doesn't like to stay paired either but all I have to do is open the Garmin app on the phone and it will sync.
520 is superior to 500 in most ways, including little things like being able to show 3 fields the same size as opposed to big/small/small.
520 is superior to 500 in most ways, including little things like being able to show 3 fields the same size as opposed to big/small/small.
#3578
OMC
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 6,960
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Allez Comp Race
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 461 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
49 Posts
GC - Thanks for the tip, I'll try this.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#3579
Rides too much bike
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Boston
Posts: 842
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 232 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#3580
Senior Member
yes. i'm a long-time Corsa user (tubular and clincher), and i decided to give the graphene version a shot.
for context, the Corsa was not a long-wearing tire (~1,200-1,500 miles on a rear; i'd often replace race tubulars before then, though). i'd flat on them very rarely -- and mainly if the tire was near the end of life.
my expectation was that the graphene version would offer similar life. i was curious if it would have lower rolling resistance and/or better traction in the wet. i put ~500 race miles on a set on my east coast trip + a bunch of other miles, and they're about what i expected--pretty solid, but a couple incidental (~1-2mm) nicks in the tread.
i haven't tested the rolling resistance, at least not yet. i think vittoria's claims are probably overstated, but again if they come in at least as good as the Corsa i'm fine with that.
cornering...they are great in dry conditions. i haven't been in them in the rain yet; the non-graphene Corsas left a little something to be desired there compared to other tires.
i'd buy more...for racing.
for context, the Corsa was not a long-wearing tire (~1,200-1,500 miles on a rear; i'd often replace race tubulars before then, though). i'd flat on them very rarely -- and mainly if the tire was near the end of life.
my expectation was that the graphene version would offer similar life. i was curious if it would have lower rolling resistance and/or better traction in the wet. i put ~500 race miles on a set on my east coast trip + a bunch of other miles, and they're about what i expected--pretty solid, but a couple incidental (~1-2mm) nicks in the tread.
i haven't tested the rolling resistance, at least not yet. i think vittoria's claims are probably overstated, but again if they come in at least as good as the Corsa i'm fine with that.
cornering...they are great in dry conditions. i haven't been in them in the rain yet; the non-graphene Corsas left a little something to be desired there compared to other tires.
i'd buy more...for racing.
#3581
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,570
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 679 Times
in
430 Posts
My wife has had the same issue with her 520. It used to pair with her computer automatically, but now it does not.
Still, she likes the 520 better than her 500, which died after about 6 years of use and a big crash.
Still, she likes the 520 better than her 500, which died after about 6 years of use and a big crash.
#3582
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 789
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 71 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In an inexplicable, surprising, and non-injurious way, my fork has failed and I need a replacement. (For warranty/legal reasons, I don't want to go into "how" in these forums just yet).
In replacing a high-end stock fork, how does one choose between a manufacturer's fork, an Enve, 3T, or other carbon fiber fork? Other than size/rake, are there appreciable differences in handling/stiffness/whatever?
In replacing a high-end stock fork, how does one choose between a manufacturer's fork, an Enve, 3T, or other carbon fiber fork? Other than size/rake, are there appreciable differences in handling/stiffness/whatever?
#3583
fuggitivo solitario
The 520 disables auto-zero, which is nice in most cases
otoh, i realized that my offset drifted by 10w or so on a climb. That said, the climb gained 2k ft in 4 miles, so that may have thrown it off...
otoh, i realized that my offset drifted by 10w or so on a climb. That said, the climb gained 2k ft in 4 miles, so that may have thrown it off...
#3584
commu*ist spy
So pairing wireless issue. Is opening the garmin connect app the resolution for this, or is it more random? I dont need access to text messages, strava segments, weather reports, or live tracking, because my phone has no data.. wifi only. So im really only worried about wireless syncing of activities and loading courses. So long as that works well, illl be happy.
How are the ftp estimation and vo2 max functions?
How are the ftp estimation and vo2 max functions?
#3585
**** that
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: CALI
Posts: 15,402
Mentioned: 151 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1099 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times
in
30 Posts
I thought it was just me.. annoying having to open the app just to get it to sync - but still 101% better than having to plug in the device via USB to upload!
#3586
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,475
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3375 Post(s)
Liked 371 Times
in
253 Posts
I've read all the "do you really want to trust your life to a $50 carbon handlebar from China yadda yadda" but has anyone actually bought one and used it?
I know it's hard to test sturdiness without crashing, but I'm really curious if you really do need to spend $150-250 on a carbon aero drop bar to get quality, or if you're just paying for a 3T, Zipp, Enve, etc decal.
I know it's hard to test sturdiness without crashing, but I'm really curious if you really do need to spend $150-250 on a carbon aero drop bar to get quality, or if you're just paying for a 3T, Zipp, Enve, etc decal.
#3587
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Posts: 606
Bikes: Trek Madone, Blue Triad SL, Dixie Flyer BTB
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So pairing wireless issue. Is opening the garmin connect app the resolution for this, or is it more random? I dont need access to text messages, strava segments, weather reports, or live tracking, because my phone has no data.. wifi only. So im really only worried about wireless syncing of activities and loading courses. So long as that works well, illl be happy.
How are the ftp estimation and vo2 max functions?
How are the ftp estimation and vo2 max functions?
You might be better off skipping the bluetooth connection to the phone. You can set up the Garmin to upload via wi-fi when you get home without having to go through the phone.
#3589
Rides too much bike
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Boston
Posts: 842
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 232 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#3590
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,475
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3375 Post(s)
Liked 371 Times
in
253 Posts
I don't think so. My point was however that there was some other stress going on. It was not riding along and snap. It was riding (Paris Roubaix).
I would be surprised if the Ritchey WCS bars would break when a frame breaks. There are many more situations that break frames than I see breaking bars. Those are the only bars that come to mind that I know of being broken. I also know he replaced them with name brand bars.
I would be surprised if the Ritchey WCS bars would break when a frame breaks. There are many more situations that break frames than I see breaking bars. Those are the only bars that come to mind that I know of being broken. I also know he replaced them with name brand bars.
#3591
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Posts: 606
Bikes: Trek Madone, Blue Triad SL, Dixie Flyer BTB
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#3592
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Posts: 606
Bikes: Trek Madone, Blue Triad SL, Dixie Flyer BTB
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I will say the Corsa Speed's are not the most convenient for tubeless use. Like the Schwalbe Pro One's, they are "tubeless ready", which means the bead is designed to work tubeless but they don't have a butyl lining so they won't hold air without sealant (this is actually a good thing, since both those tires represent improvements in weight and rolling resistance over previous tubeless tires precisely because of this). I didn't have a hard time getting the Corsa Speed's mounted on the rims, but it did take several tries with CO2 to get the bead seated, something that hasn't been an issue with other tires for me. They also don't hold air very well even with sealant; I'd say they lose air a bit more quickly than latex tubes, definitely not as a good as other tubeless tires. But that's a relatively minor inconvenience I'm willing to live with if the performance is there, which seems to be the case.
The tires are marked 23mm, but run a mm or so narrower that most other modern 23c tires (which to be fair should actually be labeled 25c).
#3593
commu*ist spy
I'm not sure how the blue-tooth sync would work if you don't have data connection, pretty sure it needs a live connection as opposed to storing the workout on the phone and then uploading it later via wi-fi. I'll admit I haven't tried that, though.
You might be better off skipping the bluetooth connection to the phone. You can set up the Garmin to upload via wi-fi when you get home without having to go through the phone.
You might be better off skipping the bluetooth connection to the phone. You can set up the Garmin to upload via wi-fi when you get home without having to go through the phone.
The Bluetooth was turned off throughout the ride to conserve energy. When i turned it on, it linked to my phone right away, and started syncing. It uploaded about 30 of healthpack's rides onto my strava before i realized something was wrong
Last edited by spectastic; 06-02-16 at 02:15 PM.
#3594
Ninny
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: The Gunks
Posts: 5,295
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 686 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I need a new tubular tire and all the shop has in stock for tubulars are Schwalbe One 24s and Michelin Pro 4 25s. I have run the Schwalbes before and they are OK but I don't love them. I do love the Specialized Allrounds but they are out of stock. Any tubular-specific advice on the Schwalbes vs the Michelins?
#3595
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,449
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 693 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I need a new tubular tire and all the shop has in stock for tubulars are Schwalbe One 24s and Michelin Pro 4 25s. I have run the Schwalbes before and they are OK but I don't love them. I do love the Specialized Allrounds but they are out of stock. Any tubular-specific advice on the Schwalbes vs the Michelins?
i'll check on what i've got and get back to you. i probably have some specialized allrounds and vittorias, at a minimum. both are >> than the michelins IME. the schwalbe ones no longer have latex tubes (unless they are NOS), so i'd avoid.
#3596
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,449
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 693 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ok--here's what i've got that might be of interesting to you:
* vittoria corsa evo cx iii 700x23 (tire i race the most)
* specialized allround 700x24
* zipp tangente SLspeed 700x24 (really supple; i haven't raced them, though)
next day shipping to a sample zip of 12561 is literally <=$12 for me.
no big deal here--they're in my garage and i will use them, eventually, but if it helps you out it's fine. i'd probably rather sell them as a pair, though.
* vittoria corsa evo cx iii 700x23 (tire i race the most)
* specialized allround 700x24
* zipp tangente SLspeed 700x24 (really supple; i haven't raced them, though)
next day shipping to a sample zip of 12561 is literally <=$12 for me.
no big deal here--they're in my garage and i will use them, eventually, but if it helps you out it's fine. i'd probably rather sell them as a pair, though.
#3599
Senior Member
In an inexplicable, surprising, and non-injurious way, my fork has failed and I need a replacement. (For warranty/legal reasons, I don't want to go into "how" in these forums just yet).
In replacing a high-end stock fork, how does one choose between a manufacturer's fork, an Enve, 3T, or other carbon fiber fork? Other than size/rake, are there appreciable differences in handling/stiffness/whatever?
In replacing a high-end stock fork, how does one choose between a manufacturer's fork, an Enve, 3T, or other carbon fiber fork? Other than size/rake, are there appreciable differences in handling/stiffness/whatever?
I basically Googled/researched feedback from other riders. For me I didn't want any flexible fork, like the Giant TCR forks I had. The axle would move back 1-2 INCHES when I pushed forward on the bars while using the front brake. It was super scary, hence I had a Reynolds Ouzo fork on that bike. (The newer less-aero looking TCR forks seem fine as I used one for a couple years).
The most significant thing for me is lateral stiffness. I know the frame has a lot to do with how the bike feels in a corner but if you have a flexy fork then the bike is much less planted in a turn.
Finally, the super light forks usually have a thinner steerer tube. Forks are life carrying components, unlike, say, a front derailleur, so I tend to shy away from the lightest forks. Plus they cost so much more. For me 300g basically indicated that I wouldn't trust the fork.
All said I chose the 3T team (about 335g) and 2nd tier ENVE 2.0 (about 350g). Apparently ENVE has discontinued the lighter 1.0, so that was interesting. Both forks work well for me. I don't have two identical frames and I haven't ridden the same frame with the different forks so I can't say one is better than the other. For handling I lean towards the 3T, although that may be the frame talking to me.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
#3600
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 789
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 71 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I got my two Tsunamis I had to select a fork. At first it was easy - I took a fork (Reynolds Ouzo, not top tier) that I already had on another bike. Then I needed to select a fork for the second frame, then I wanted to get a nice fork for the first frame when I had it redone.
I basically Googled/researched feedback from other riders. For me I didn't want any flexible fork, like the Giant TCR forks I had. The axle would move back 1-2 INCHES when I pushed forward on the bars while using the front brake. It was super scary, hence I had a Reynolds Ouzo fork on that bike. (The newer less-aero looking TCR forks seem fine as I used one for a couple years).
The most significant thing for me is lateral stiffness. I know the frame has a lot to do with how the bike feels in a corner but if you have a flexy fork then the bike is much less planted in a turn.
Finally, the super light forks usually have a thinner steerer tube. Forks are life carrying components, unlike, say, a front derailleur, so I tend to shy away from the lightest forks. Plus they cost so much more. For me 300g basically indicated that I wouldn't trust the fork.
All said I chose the 3T team (about 335g) and 2nd tier ENVE 2.0 (about 350g). Apparently ENVE has discontinued the lighter 1.0, so that was interesting. Both forks work well for me. I don't have two identical frames and I haven't ridden the same frame with the different forks so I can't say one is better than the other. For handling I lean towards the 3T, although that may be the frame talking to me.
I basically Googled/researched feedback from other riders. For me I didn't want any flexible fork, like the Giant TCR forks I had. The axle would move back 1-2 INCHES when I pushed forward on the bars while using the front brake. It was super scary, hence I had a Reynolds Ouzo fork on that bike. (The newer less-aero looking TCR forks seem fine as I used one for a couple years).
The most significant thing for me is lateral stiffness. I know the frame has a lot to do with how the bike feels in a corner but if you have a flexy fork then the bike is much less planted in a turn.
Finally, the super light forks usually have a thinner steerer tube. Forks are life carrying components, unlike, say, a front derailleur, so I tend to shy away from the lightest forks. Plus they cost so much more. For me 300g basically indicated that I wouldn't trust the fork.
All said I chose the 3T team (about 335g) and 2nd tier ENVE 2.0 (about 350g). Apparently ENVE has discontinued the lighter 1.0, so that was interesting. Both forks work well for me. I don't have two identical frames and I haven't ridden the same frame with the different forks so I can't say one is better than the other. For handling I lean towards the 3T, although that may be the frame talking to me.
I did a bit of research too, but didn't find too much info. I ended buying the Enve 2.0 fork, mostly based on brand. It gets here in a couple of days.
The story: I was driving down a 2 lane highway going about 70 when an on-coming semi passed and blew my bike off of my fork-mounted roof rack.
I think the bike came off because there was a strong sideways component to the force that put all of the pressure initially on just the left fork. The bike was properly attached by the fork mount. The bike was held on the roof by the rear wheel strap. However the fork was damaged: both lawyer tabs were sheared off, and, it's impossible to tell, but I suspect the actual dropouts also suffered damage; hence the need for a new fork.
The bike manufacturer claims that bikes are not waranteed for transport.
A number of folks around here say that they've heard enough similar stories that they never use roof racks. Obviously I'm now in that camp.
I also think that I got off pretty lightly...$400 for a new fork, when the bike could have easily been totaled.