In article <
[email protected]>,
<
[email protected]> wrote:
> David wrote:
> > If you want to save up for a much better wheelset, read this first
> > http://www.ccbracing.com/feature/2004/january/mcallumaero.html
> >
> > My advise to you is this. If you are "able" to maintain an average
> > speed of 20mph (that's about 32km/h) with your current wheelset, then
> > yes, go ahead and invest lots of moolah on these high tech wheels.. If
> > you don't, save your money until you can.
> >
> > David.
>
> Great article! Thanks for the link.
>
> However, I don't understand why you recommend buying high-tech wheels
> only after you are "able" to maintain a certain speed. The web site you
> linked to says
> "It's interesting to note, that the rider with the slower average
> speed actually posts the greatest time improvement using deep aero
> wheels."
>
> To me, it seems the faster riders would have less time savings, so
> slower riders should buy aero wheels to save more time.
>
Hi there,
The time savings for any weight and aerodynamic advantage gained by
buying newer technology can be noticeable to a slower rider. It is
because he or she spends a longer time out on the road compared to a
faster rider and thus is subjected to watts reducing resistance longer.
What these technology do is to reduce the amount of energy needed to
move the same bike and achieve a certain cruising speed. Think of a
60W incandescent light bulb compared to a 60W effective light output of
a flourescent light bulb. Both are powered by a 120V outlet, but the
flourescent light bulb will obviously save you more energy than a
regular bulb, while giving out the same light output. That's what new
bike technology does -- saves energy for the rider under varied
conditions.. Will it increase the solo rider's speed? The answer is
no, because the rider's power output is what the rider can muster. He
needs training in order to increase that raw power output.. A typical
recreational rider has a power output of about 150watts. A seasoned
non-competitive rider can have an output ranging from 200-300 watts.
As you reach the level of 250 to 300 watts, you will then start to
benefit somewhat from those expensive toys.
On the Neuvation site, the owner explains his position when it comes to
expensive carbon wheels and he made a note that strike me to being
honest and fair. If you can't go faster than 16mph, don't bother with
these expensive wheels. Not a lot of bike stores will refuse to make a
sale out of honesty and integrity.
And the point I am trying to make is really very simple. A rider does
not have an infinite energy reserve. On a typical century ride, he or
she needs to conserve every bit of energy to come out in the end FRESH.
But you also need to make sure that you are maximizing the usage of any
energy saving toys you have on your bike, or you will end up having a
bunch of expensive ornaments that do nothing other than to maintain
your weak ego.
David.