Is my bike run out of date?

[themosquitoking]

I'd prefer to pay more for them, they'd be better that way.

True. The more expensive ones have better bearings.

 

[outlash]

I'm guessing they run best on sundays....

 

[Wafer]

True. The more expensive ones have better bearings.

Hand built knees of course, rather than that factory built stuff....

 

[themosquitoking]

Hand built knees of course, rather than that factory built stuff....

With a custom paint job? Ooh, suits you sir.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

If you like the Bianchi, get a better set of wheels and get out on it more, hill reps I say!

How will that help him?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

The best way to get a faster average than your mates is to increase the wheel circumference size in your bike computer. I suggest using something like 3000mm, that should sort them all out. It won't work for Strava though, so I suggest you go lights out on Strava for a while and just publish your averages.

 

[Slioch]

Look, let's be absolutely honest here. Don't listen to all the previous posters, it's nothing to do with fitness. The truth is that your bike is gubbed, knackered, past it's best by date, and is now an embarrassment to you. You need to get rid of it,,,fast!

Listen, I'm in a good mood so I'll do you a huge favour. PM me your address and I'll come round and take it off your hands under cover of darkness. What's more, I won't charge you for doing this. Can't say fairer than that, eh?

You can then pretend to your mates that it's been nicked, and can go out and buy an F8 which, realistically, is the only way you are ever going to be able to keep up with them.

 

[kiriyama]

As said before. Check all your components. Especially drive chain, wheel bearings etc. They are the only thing I would consider to be able to 'go out of date' due to wear and tear and might be costing you a few kph.... A few years old frame isn't that big a deal.

And remember there were riders 40-50 years ago on steel bikes that are definitely 'out of date' now, who could go faster than you on the latest carbon tech.

 

[snorri]

Where's the Best Before date on a bike anyway? Is this something new?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

OP, are your friend (quite) a few years younger than you by chance?

 

[Tin Pot]

I have been riding a Bianchi Oltre 2011 road bike model for 3 yrs. I have a bunch of friends many of whom are riding a Pina Dogma F8, also a road bike. We always ride together during weekends as a peleton and all our speed are about equal. We have taken part in two 70.3 Ironman and these F8 riders were doing all the 3 discipline whereas for me, I was doing a team relay just for the bike leg. So theortically my returned time should be faster than any of them. But surprising not. My timing was the worst off after we did 2 ironman events. I knew I can’t be worst off than them as we always ride together but as you know in an Ironman event, no drafting allowed. So I began to question not my capability but rather the bike over a long distance. 70.3 Ironman bike leg is 90km.


Two of my friends tested my bike and said its not as stiff as their F8, hence a lot of my energy was lost. Both concurred that they need to pedal harder to keep my bike rolling. I tried their F8 but probably I’m not the sensitive type of person, so I can’t feel the difference. All I knew was when I pedal the bike will automatically go and not remain stationary. I always felt that Oltre (though its 2011 model) and being top of the range of the Bianchi lot at time of purchase, can’t be that far off from whatever latest hi-tech stiffy carbon fibre model of today.


I understand stiffness is impt but it also musn’t be too harsh when we ride. My Oltre coupled with my 25mm tire always gave me a smooth and comfortable feel. However I can feel at times when we ride together as a peleton, I’m struggling to keep up with my friends though I still can keep up thru’ sheer great exhaustive effort.


I don’t mind getting the F8 although I truly like the Bianchi which has a beautiful Celeste colour. But speed is important to me. I can spend the money but can’t afford just buy for experimenting. And I don’t have space for another bike.


So shld I get an F8 and let technology helps me abit? Or there are more to it?

Hi novetan,

As they say, it's never about the kit, it's about the athlete.

If you're doing only relay events, then I'm guessing they are doing three times the training you are - swim and run fitness may not directly translate to bike, but the cardio gains will definitely help.

I'd suggest you get yourself an FTP test, I'm doing one on a gym watt bike next weekend, t get a measure of your bike fitness - get your mates into it as well if you can.

Next point will be aero - they should be training to ride in the most efficient manner possible, nothing like the group rides you do.

I can see why your experience leads to these questions but the likely uncomfortable answer is fitness and technique - not the bike.

---
On the other hand, a Bianchi is always a good thing, right? . I want the pico myself.

 

[Citius]

Two of my friends tested my bike and said its not as stiff as their F8, hence a lot of my energy was lost

Tell your friends to stop reading Cycling Plus.

 

[winjim]

Is it not just in a Pinarello owner's nature to claim that nobody else's bike is as good as theirs?

 

[novetan]

Tks guys for all your invaluable input.

I’ll consolidate my further input/replies here.

Some advise are indeed very valid, like attributed to training and the like which I’m totally never discount that. Perhaps I really have to prep up my training regime before putting in $.

I’m riding a stock wheel campy Eurus ever since I bought the bike which is a low profile wheel. No TT bar mounted on my handle. So either I was riding on the hoods or drops most of the time during the event. Whereas my friends were using medium profile aero wheel with TT bar mounted. So I supposed over a dist of 90km, that made a difference as opposed riding in a grp? I’d heartily agree to this argument if someone second to that.

And if that is the case, than I’d spend the money getting a pair of aero wheels to start off. Perhaps even a TT bar. And of course consistent training.

Tks again guys for your input. And I’m happy to hear there is no run out date !

 

[palinurus]

I’m riding a stock wheel campy Eurus ever since I bought the bike which is a low profile wheel. No TT bar mounted on my handle. So either I was riding on the hoods or drops most of the time during the event. Whereas my friends were using medium profile aero wheel with TT bar mounted. So I supposed over a dist of 90km, that made a difference as opposed riding in a grp? I’d heartily agree to this argument if someone second to that.

Riding solo, your position on the bike has a large effect, if you are going to make any modifications then using tribars is likely to have the biggest immediate effect- more than anything you can do with wheels (and quite a bit cheaper).