Ugly - Bradley Wiggins' Pinarello Bolide TT bike

[Rob3rt]

Its got to be lighter than my Ali BMC?

TT bikes are relatively heavy, additionally, weight won't make much difference unless you are riding up hill! These bikes are built to be aerodynamic and to put the rider in the most aerodynamic position possible without compromising their power output, not to be lightweight (although they do of course try not to make them light too, but it is not the primary design focus).

 

[VamP]

And they won't do much for your speed below 25 mph in all honesty.

 

[woohoo]

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.

I can't see why you are getting so animated about this. It's just a comment on my (I now see, shared,) view.Maybe we can add a bit of downhill MTBing, some XC and a bit of trials as well . I don't believe the TTs in "days of old" were any less valid because the riders used their normal bikes.

 

[Rob3rt]

And they won't do much for your speed below 25 mph in all honesty.

Don't really agree with this. But then again, I can only provide anecdotal evidence for my opinion, nothing concrete!

 

[VamP]

I can't see why you are getting so animated about this. It's just a comment on my (I now see, shared,) view) Maybe we can add a bit of downhill MTBing, some XC and a bit of trials as well . I don't believe the TTs in "days of old" were any less valid because the riders used their normal bikes.

You're not used to discussing are you?

TTs have evolved a bit since the ''days of old'', they are a stand-alone discipline, that has traditionally been included in GTs. Lots of riders ride stand-alone TTs as well as stand-alone road races. Why would you arbitrarily force them to use different bikes in TTs that are a part of a GT, than they would in a stand-alone TT, such as the Olympic TT?

Or is it just progress in general that you oppose?

 

[Rob3rt]

In some tours they do ride normal road bikes in TT's. Sometimes with clip-on tri bars.

 

[DWiggy]

Just moving from my old steely to my ali bike added ~2mph on my average i'm sure this beast of a bike in carbon with the aerodynamics of an f1 car would add another couple of mph's..surely?

 

[VamP]

Don't really agree with this. But then again,I can only provide anecdotal evidence for my opinion!

You can measure aero effects from around 15 mph, but they become more significant the faster you go. Much more significant above 25 mph.

I am not disagreeing, the original point was that an average commuter is unlikely to build up enough speed on a commute to see significant aero benefits on a TT machine.

 

[Rob3rt]

Just moving from my old steely to my ali bike added ~2mph on my average i'm sure this beast of a bike in carbon with the aerodynamics of an f1 car would add another couple of mph's..surely?

Only if you are able to get up to speed, get in an aero tuck and stay there. Riding around on the out riggers is just like riding on the drops tbh.

 

[DWiggy]

You can measure aero effects from around 15 mph, but they become more significant the faster you go. Much more significant above 25 mph.

I am not disagreeing, the original point was that an average commuter is unlikely to build up enough speed on a commute to see significant aero benefits on a TT machine.

My average is between 18-20mph so should get something out of it?...still its all pie in the sky, I'll never find out lol

 

[woohoo]

You're not used to discussing are you?

TTs have evolved a bit since the ''days of old'', they are a stand-alone discipline, that has traditionally been included in GTs. Lots of riders ride stand-alone TTs as well as stand-alone road races. Why would you arbitrarily force them to use different bikes in TTs that are a part of a GT, than they would in a stand-alone TT, such as the Olympic TT?

Or is it just progress in general that you oppose?

I see you've resulted to abuse which is the first sign of desperation. I've no objection to progress, however it is defined, whether it be carbon, electronic, 11 speed, whatever. In case the point went over your head, it the specialist bikes TTs in GTs that I don't like.

 

[Rob3rt]

My average is between 18-20mph so should get something out of it?...still its all pie in the sky, I'll never find out lol

Again not really, maybe some very small gains. You would get more from the wheels than the frame most likely, but then the gains from a wheel such as a disc wheel really are more apparent at high speeds. Riding that bike on a commute would save next to nothing because you would not be riding fast enough for long enough. You would spend too much time accelerating and decelerating and riding on the bull horns. It is not safe to ride in heavy traffic on aero bars.

However choose a more appropriate scenario, rather than your rather silly commuting one and compare over a 10 mile time trial and the gains will be in the order of minutes.

 

[woohoo]

In some tours they do ride normal road bikes in TT's. Sometimes with clip-on tri bars.

... and IMV that is fine. These TTs are no less valid just because the teams aren't taking part in a TT bike arms race.

 

[VamP]

I see you've resulted to abuse which is the first sign of desperation. I've no objection to progress, however it is defined, whether it be carbon, electronic, 11 speed, whatever. In case the point went over your head, it the specialist bikes TTs in GTs that I don't like.

Abuse?

You'll know I'm abusing you when it happens.

How about putting forth a reasoned argument to justify excluding TT bikes from TTs? That might have more weight then opting for the ''just my opinion'' disclaimer. As it stands, I am actually completely unclear as to the grounds on which you wish to exclude the TT machines.

 

[e-rider]

Agreed built for function not looks but the dogma was such a nice bike. What happened to the Italian style?

the wind tunnel happened!