Ugly - Bradley Wiggins' Pinarello Bolide TT bike

[oldroadman]

I guess this is very much a minority view but IMHO I would like to see TTs and TTTs being run using "normal" bikes. Actually, I would go a bit further and have a rule along the lines of "The bike you start a GT with, is the bike you finish with." (subject to obvious allowed exceptions like breakages, repairs, gearing changes). IMV, these TT bikes are far to specialised (not Specialized!) and the TTs (more so than the TTTs) might as well be run in a gym using static bikes and measuring the power output.

Just a personal view that I expect is not shared by many

Which leaves the small matters of wind direction, climbing, descending, cornering, bike handling, surface changes, completely null and void. How interesting can a TT be anyway? Well, more than riding it on a Wattbike!

 

[woohoo]

Which leaves the small matters of wind direction, climbing, descending, cornering, bike handling, surface changes, completely null and void. How interesting can a TT be anyway? Well, more than riding it on a Wattbike!

Of these, the wind direction (and weather conditions in general) can turn TTs into a "timing of the start" lottery rather than a race of truth. The other items are just as valid on "normal" bikes. It is the specialised nature of the bikes that I don't like rather than the event itself. (I would be quite happy if someone chose to ride their TT bike for the entire 3 weeks of a GT. That would be interesting).

Anyway, a personal view. which I'm sure is not universally shared.

 

[Rob3rt]

With regards to your comment re stationary bikes, measuring power on a wattbike wouldn't expose the same thing!

 

[woohoo]

With regards to your comment re stationary bikes, measuring power on a wattbike wouldn't expose the same thing!

Wouldn't expose the same what?

 

[Rob3rt]

A wattbike test would just show who put out the most power, regardless of how that power came out. The same power would give the same time if the machine has very good repeatability.

A TT on the road will not only depend on rider power, but it will depend on their position (subsequently their Watt/CdA ratio), bike handling, how they distribute their power and various other things. The same power would not necessarily give the same time.

I.e. The stationary bike will expose who can put out the best average/normalised power only, not who could cover the distance the fastest.

 

[woohoo]

Ah, I see your point now. Fair enough, just let them display these qualities on a normal bike (or let the use the TT bike for every stage, I don't mind which!)

 

[VamP]

Of these, the wind direction (and weather conditions in general) can turn TTs into a "timing of the start" lottery rather than a race of truth. The other items are just as valid on "normal" bikes. It is the specialised nature of the bikes that I don't like rather than the event itself. (I would be quite happy if someone chose to ride their TT bike for the entire 3 weeks of a GT. That would be interesting).

Anyway, a personal view. which I'm sure is not universally shared.

In fact, I suspect that you'll struggle to find anyone who shares it.

 

[DWiggy]

Would love to have a go just to see how much it improves my ride into work, does look like it shifts tho!

 

[Rob3rt]

Would love to have a go just to see how much it improves my ride into work, does look like it shifts tho!

It probably wouldn't.

 

[VamP]

Ah, I see your point now. Fair enough, just let them display these qualities on a normal bike (or let the use the TT bike for every stage, I don't mind which!)

Why?

TT is a specialized discipline. An Olympic sport in it's own right. Why would you force people to use different bikes in it just for the GT's?

You could just as well argue for there to be no TTs in GTs. And get equally as little support in that argument.

 

[DWiggy]

It probably wouldn't.

Its got to be lighter than my Ali BMC?

 

[raindog]

Its got to be lighter than my Ali BMC?

pro TT bikes are relatively heavy

 

[coldash]

In fact, I suspect that you'll struggle to find anyone who shares it.

I share Woohoo's view but as he says it's just a personal view

 

[VamP]

pro TT bikes are relatively heavy

Not just the pro ones

 

[VamP]

I share Woohoo's view but as he says it's just a personal view

Care to expand?