Tri Mag Article - Spending for Speed

676 Views 7 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Thor, Mar 3, 2008

ksurp

Discussion Starter · Mar 2, 2008

Just received April issue of Triathlete Mag - The bike porn issue. 
Interesting article about getting the most bang for the buck when it comes to bike upgrades for speed. 
Question: The article says that one of the better values when it comes to improved speed is tires. It states that "the right tire can simultaneously improve wheel dynamics and reduce rolling resistance" 
Is this true if I were to put better tires on my stock wheels? 
The article presents a cost/benefit analysis of "comparing the typical speed improvements with the the typical upgrade costs associated with each equipment category .. they measured relative performance benefits as a function of cost...Score of 1-100 assigned with 100 representing the best value in terms of time saved per dollar spent. Note that this metric difference from simply measuring the raw performance gains that can result from improved training or equipment upgrades. If price were no object, then bigger-ticket items, such as wheels, helmets, aero frames and components, coaching services, and power meters, would likely lead to the greatest performance gains." 
Chart included in the article 
Product Value Rating Clothing 100 
Tires 80 
Aero Helmet 46 
Training tools(HR monitor, coaching 18 
power meter, etc.) 
Positioning 16 
Fork 14 
Aerobars 9 
Wheels (front and rear) 7 
Frame and fork 7 
Frame 6 
Ceramic bearings 5 
I'd post the link to the article but it isn't up on their website yet. 
Thoughts on this? Just curious since I don't know a lot about what the best purchase options are for increasing speed especially when there isn't a money tree growing in my backyard. I do understand that training is key.

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Thor

· #6 · Mar 3, 2008

To me it does make sense, at least from the standpoint of what my riding buddies at work often talk about... 
Beyond the obvious aspects of getting faster on the bike by training smarter and harder, the next part is, as you know, is all about reducing wind resistance. Most of us will wear tight-fitting clothes, so we're already one up. But if you wear a wind breaker jacket that is flapping in the wind, it is going to act as a parachute and slow you down. Same for baggy pants. For us, we don't worry so much because, well, we already get this. But not everybody does. Show up at any group ride where there are newbies and you will see a fair amount of jackets and pants flapping in the wind. Reduce that and you get a bump in speed.

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Thor

· #8 · Mar 3, 2008

EXACTLY. 
Every single person on this board can probably benefit from a $3000 set of wheels, but the truth is every single one of us can earn the exact time saved with that wheel set by training a little harder and smarter for 3 weeks to a month. I firmly believe that. We all have so much to grow that we really don't need to be spending the money, but the money gets you that much more with what you currently have. 
You should have seen Clearwater... I was the only rider, no kidding, for as far as I could see up the road and as far as I could see back, over 56 miles, even the ones I passed and those who passed me, who did not have rather expensive wheels. I'd say 80% had aero helmets while 99% (I was the lone 1% where I was... which might be key) had Zipp, HED, or some other fancy wheels. 
I will join them someday. I will.

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