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The thing is, the Aeroad with lightweight wheels for example is only 10 seconds quicker on Zwiftinsider's climb test, but 39 seconds slower on the flat test compared to the Tron.
The very lightest setup is the Specialised Tarmac Pro + lightweight wheels and that is 17 seconds quicker than the Tron on the climb test but a whopping 52 seconds slower on the flat.
The race isn't a straight climb up the Alpe, there's a lot of descending too. I think if you go for anything other than the Tron you're going to lose more time on the descents/flat than you gain on the climb?
I have bitter memories from last season on one ZRL race of hanging on to the leaders on a big climb, and then getting dropped on the descent and never seeing them again so it does happen!
Will be interesting to see what bike Zwiftinsider recommend when they bring out their race guide for this stage
The very lightest setup is the Specialised Tarmac Pro + lightweight wheels and that is 17 seconds quicker than the Tron on the climb test but a whopping 52 seconds slower on the flat.
The race isn't a straight climb up the Alpe, there's a lot of descending too. I think if you go for anything other than the Tron you're going to lose more time on the descents/flat than you gain on the climb?
I have bitter memories from last season on one ZRL race of hanging on to the leaders on a big climb, and then getting dropped on the descent and never seeing them again so it does happen!
Will be interesting to see what bike Zwiftinsider recommend when they bring out their race guide for this stage
Legs
usually riding on Zwift...
- Location
- Staffordshire
Maybe I'd better spend the weekend riding up and down the Alpe to get the Tron, then! Only need to do it 18 times!
I could do it as a double-vEveresting attempt!
I could do it as a double-vEveresting attempt!
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
Tron for me. Overall it seems the better choice until someone proves otherwise.
Like Tommy suggests just bury yourself on the climbs and recover, along with everyone else except the strongest riders, on the descents.
Johnsop99
Veteran
- Location
- Bude, Cornwall
I've only got to do the Alpe 3 times to get the Tron. Knowing my luck I'll get it half way round on Tuesday!Maybe I'd better spend the weekend riding up and down the Alpe to get the Tron, then! Only need to do it 18 times!
I could do it as a double-vEveresting attempt!
Legs
usually riding on Zwift...
- Location
- Staffordshire
That is achievable in five days!
Legs
usually riding on Zwift...
- Location
- Staffordshire
Quelle surprise! On one hand, I wish that bike choice were a bit more tactical than ‘Tron every time’, but OTOH I want to feel a tangible reward for doing the 50km when I get there! Is there any course (barring jungle) where Tron is not among the fastest? How does it fare on Road to Sky?
mjd1988
Guru
Even though zwiftinsider is saying Tron....I have no difficulty hanging with anyone downhill. In fact supertucking 6 times is probably on the agenda, the vast majority of my power output will be uphill and that's where I am weakest so still considering lightweight set up.
That said I'll read the article and probably change my mind.
If you are going for primes lightweight also makes sense
Legs
usually riding on Zwift...
- Location
- Staffordshire
It’s the classic question of do you play to your strength or try to help your weakness?
I’m kind of hoping that at least one of the courses in the new world has been carefully worked out so that it’s a close run thing to decide whether to use road, gravel or MTB.
I’m kind of hoping that at least one of the courses in the new world has been carefully worked out so that it’s a close run thing to decide whether to use road, gravel or MTB.
Legs
usually riding on Zwift...
- Location
- Staffordshire
How did it go, Del?
I did it @Del C - looked out for you but didn't see you.I’m riding the route tonight at 18.20 so I‘ll know exactly how much pain I’ll be in on Tuesday night. It’s the ZESP Ardillas race in case anyone else is as dumb as me!
I might go with the Tarmac Pro and Meilensteins just because of the amount of climbing.
I’ll also be able to advise @Norry1 whether to ride for #23 or #68
Well this is one course where the profile really doesn't lie - it's basically either climbing or a super-tuck for 90% of the course!
I went pretty much as hard as I could and the race took me 1:23 (1:11 for the "Surrey Hills" Strava segment). Strava is here if anyone's interested https://strava.app.link/i8tENdX9pgb
LeetleGreyCells
Un rouleur infatigable
- Location
- Whitehaven Mansions
I wonder how long Zwift will keep the super tuck now it's been banned by the UCI...
It’s tough!
As @bridgy said you’re either going up or supertucking on the way down.
I didn’t try to stay with the lead group from the start. I tucked into a group further back and only started to push when we started to climb around 2km into the ride. I did ride quite hard from there and did PBs on most of the Strava segments.
Compared to @bridgy’s times I did 1.32.14 for the race and 1.19.36 for the Surrey Hills Strava segment. Got to decide how to ride on Tuesday. Do what I did tonight and try and pick up places on the climbs or push a bit harder at the start and get a bit more draft. It’s only 2km to the first climb so going off hard isn’t going to save that much.
I rode the Tron. Felt pretty strong on the ride. Pleased with that as I did a tough race yesterday.
So what bike to use and who should @Norry1 ride for? Same answer for both questions. Go to your garage, get out your best road bike and ride to the pub. You’ll have far more fun!
