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leonlikestrees
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 323
Location: Bristol
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 Posted Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:41 pm |
Does anyone think that time trials have become too much about the kit now?
You go to a club ten, and it seems half the field has a £500 disk wheel, carbon frame, TT lid, etc.
At pro level, all that stuff is great, but at amateur level it just (in my opinion) completely skews the race.
About 10 years ago it wasn't so bad. Sure, people had £40's worth of tri bars, and probably a skinsuit. Some even had dedicated frames, but they don't offern anything like the advantages of a modern TT bike.
I like bike as much as the next man - I wouldn't begrudge anyone the fun of owning or racing one of these, but I think it would be nice if there were a few "athletes time trials". Similair to the Athletes Hour record, it would have to be ridden on a normal drop bar road bike, no fewer than 28 spokes per wheel, rims no deeper than, say 20mm.
I think that would be quite fun once or twice a year.
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ddraver
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Llandudno via Cornwall
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Posted Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:47 pm |
How much difference does it really make at amateur level?!
Insert random comment here.....
-Cotic Soda-
-Ribble Winter/Audax-
-cindercone, 02, "apollo TdF, 3000" (frames only)- |
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vermooten
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
Posts: 2548
Location: Manchester
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Posted Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:50 pm |
Times change. People who don't like that though seem to end up doing audaxes. I'd like to knock a minute or more off my time for a 10 - and god knows I need it - and if I need to spend £500 on a pair of wheels to more or less guarantee it then so be it. Now where's my credit card gone?
You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.
Manchester Wheelers |
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BeaconRuth
Joined: 30 Sep 2006
Posts: 1383
Location: United Kingdom
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Posted Fri Aug 24, 2007 10:17 pm |
| leonlikestrees wrote: | ......... but I think it would be nice if there were a few "athletes time trials". Similair to the Athletes Hour record, it would have to be ridden on a normal drop bar road bike, no fewer than 28 spokes per wheel, rims no deeper than, say 20mm.
I think that would be quite fun once or twice a year. |
Luckily for you my club has just the race you're looking for - the classic Beacon Little Mountain Time Trial: http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/open_races/lmtt/index.html
Look under 'Awards' and you'll find the conditions which need to be fulfilled to win the 'Roadman' competition - no disc, no tri-bars, no aero helmets. It's a truly classic event which has been run since 1948 and it's not for the faint-hearted. The route includes 2 timed climbs, including Ankerdine near Worcester which features in this year's Tour of Britain. See you there next year!
ps. if you look at the full results for 2007 you can see that riders with full testers kit filled the top 12 places - but that might be skewed as possibly those who thought they were in with a chance of winning (ie the best riders) opted for TT equipment and only the second-tier riders opted for road bikes.
Ruth
www.rutheyles.co.uk/
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leonlikestrees
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 323
Location: Bristol
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Posted Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:23 am |
| ddraver wrote: | | How much difference does it really make at amateur level?! |
I think it makes a big difference. My own (completely anecdotal experience), is that I was just over a minute quicker over 10 miles using my TT bike compared to my road bike.
Now that's not a fancy TT bike, just an old steel framed lo-pro with a very good position, tri bars, bar-end shifters and CXP30 rims.
I reckon putting on proper TT wheels, and using some of the fancy frames and bar combos around now, and using a TT lid. Tht's got to be worth another minute!
Of course, this could all be interpreted as me being sour because I don't have a fancy TT rig  - but it's not, honest! I think there's a place for both types of events!
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leonlikestrees
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 323
Location: Bristol
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Posted Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:28 am |
That looks perfect! It's a bit further than I usually go for an event, but it sounds like a great event to me. Look for my entry next year.
I see you did well to - champ!
Leon
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BeaconRuth
Joined: 30 Sep 2006
Posts: 1383
Location: United Kingdom
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Posted Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:34 pm |
| leonlikestrees wrote: | | That looks perfect! It's a bit further than I usually go for an event, but it sounds like a great event to me. Look for my entry next year. |
Super! Well worth the extra travelling. Hopefully the field will be even bigger and of even higher quality next year too. We're requesting 28th April - so put it in your diary now. 
| Quote: | | I see you did well to - champ! |
Thanks - though I almost didn't make it up Ankerdine. 39x21 was a bit on the high side.  Must do something about having lower gears next year!
Ruth
www.rutheyles.co.uk/
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leonlikestrees
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 323
Location: Bristol
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Posted Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:39 pm |
My road bike these days has a compact on it. I can't see myself struggling too much with a 36 chainring!
I was more worried about the downs, but I was amazed to see a 50/11 is actually a bigger gear than a 53/12! (in fact it's every so slightly bigger than a 54/12!). I don't think I'll have to worry about that with my twig like legs!
Leon
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itsallinthelegs
Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 17
Location: United Kingdom
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Posted Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:49 am |
I agree that turning up to a club 10 with full TT gear is something to be thoroughly ashamed of. For bigger TTs such as BUSAs or whatever, fine. Having said that, it does leave the immensely satisfying opportunity of beating a skin-suited disc-wheel-toting speed demon with your 'standard' roadie!
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nick hanson
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1465
Location:
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Posted Sun Aug 26, 2007 2:26 pm |
Starting to go down the road of testers verses roadmen here,me thinks.
If someone wants to use their best TT kit in an evening 10,it's their choice.If someone wants to turn up on a bog standard road bike,this is also their choice.Unless you are at international level,you are only racing yourself in a TT.
Seem to remember Wiggo doing some mega fast evening 10's in the last couple of years & i bet he didn't exactly ride on his winter bike!.
The national 25 mile champion goes out training,even in hilly terrain, on his low profile,so,again,cant see him turning up on an old hack bike for an evening event
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leonlikestrees
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 323
Location: Bristol
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Posted Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:23 pm |
I never said people shouldn't use their TT bikes in an evening ten - I would if I had one. just think it would be good if there were a few events that took the technology out of the equation. I think in time trialing, more than any other cycling discipline, a real advantage can be bought.
As much as a TT is a ride against your own PB, it's also a ride against other people. It would be nice to just occasionally know what the real difference in fitness is between the riders.
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cougie
Joined: 21 Apr 2004
Posts: 11538
Location:
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Posted Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:41 am |
Its just buying PBs isnt it ? Entirely up to the person involved, but spending a couple of grand to knock a minute or two off your club 10 time seems a bit much.
Np wonder kids arent coming into the sport now. Road bike, TT bike, race wheels. All gets pricey. And what was the comic on about this week - £170 for a pair of carbon bars ?
Wnats wrong with the £30 alloy ones FFS ?
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Fixed Wheelnut
Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 2205
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Posted Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:44 am |
| itsallinthelegs wrote: | | I agree that turning up to a club 10 with full TT gear is something to be thoroughly ashamed of. For bigger TTs such as BUSAs or whatever, fine. Having said that, it does leave the immensely satisfying opportunity of beating a skin-suited disc-wheel-toting speed demon with your 'standard' roadie! |
and a fixed one at that 
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andrewgturnbull
Joined: 31 Oct 2003
Posts: 3690
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Posted Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:11 pm |
| itsallinthelegs wrote: | | I agree that turning up to a club 10 with full TT gear is something to be thoroughly ashamed of. For bigger TTs such as BUSAs or whatever, fine. Having said that, it does leave the immensely satisfying opportunity of beating a skin-suited disc-wheel-toting speed demon with your 'standard' roadie! |
Hi there.
Ok, so I've bought my aero bike, deep dished carbon and disk wheels, skinsuit and pointy hat. Now you suggest that I should only use them once or twice a year?
What would be the point in that?
I used to scoff at people who had 'all the gear and no idea' but when you think about it it's just inverted snobbery. If people can afford the good kit why shouldn't they use it? Like or not, cycling is no longer the working class sport it was in your father's day!
I spend 10 to 15 hours a week training, when I turn up at a race I make sure I'm prepared, and bring my best game to the start line. Why shouldn't I bring my best bike too?
Cheers, Any
http://www.andyturnbull.co.uk
http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk |
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nolf
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 1507
Location: United Kingdom
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cougie
Joined: 21 Apr 2004
Posts: 11538
Location:
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Posted Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:08 pm |
Just 20 secs ? Bit disappointing really ?
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oldwelshman
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 2416
Location: United Kingdom
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itsallinthelegs
Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 17
Location: United Kingdom
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Posted Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:03 am |
| andrewgturnbull wrote: | Ok, so I've bought my aero bike, deep dished carbon and disk wheels, skinsuit and pointy hat. Now you suggest that I should only use them once or twice a year?
I spend 10 to 15 hours a week training, when I turn up at a race I make sure I'm prepared, and bring my best game to the start line. Why shouldn't I bring my best bike too?
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I personally know of several people who have been put off attending club 10s for the very reason that they feel that they would be way out of their depth. Yes, I KNOW that a TT is supposed to be a race against yourself, but realistically, who doesn't eagerly check their ranking as soon as the times are up? And if it is just a race against yourself, why not ride the course by yourself, or head down to your nearest velodrome if you want to test out all your gear? Clearly, it is because racing against others and trying to get the best time gives an added thrill. And so it should!!
Basically, what is under discussion here is the need for some sort of handicap system, or a system similar to road racing in which you are placed into a category. This would help people compare their times against others of similar standard.
I completely agree with the principle of turning up to a race/TT fully prepared and psyched up. I train hard for these events. But at the same time, my situation as a student leaves me VERY little cash to spend on kit! When you are in the position of having to save money just to buy a crappy second-hand pair of clip-on aero-bars, it's incredibly frustrating to race against people who clearly have money to spend and not ever know how closely matched you really would be given similar kit!
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Titanium
Joined: 12 May 2004
Posts: 2051
Location: USA
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Posted Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:21 am |
It sounds to me like your frustration is because you have a limited income, or just different priorities, compared to those you are racing against.
Brit TTs aren't about racing with others so if you want to compare yourself to someone else who is on a much similar machine, do some bunch races.
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cougie
Joined: 21 Apr 2004
Posts: 11538
Location:
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Posted Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:21 am |
I wonder if the time is right to have an 'unmodified' series of events. Fixed wheel seems more popular than ever before - we could have an 'athletes' series. No tribars, aero wheels or aero helmets.
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