Getting aero on a budget

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OP
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suzeworld

suzeworld

Veteran
Location
helsby
Yes, I think that is what TP is saying. It could be that her saddle is slightly too low but I don’t think it’s possible to make a meaningful and accurate assessment from your pic. Getting a proper bike fit could be a worthwhile investment though and might improve pedalling efficiency.

Thanks. Though the guy who made this frame reckons it is an excellent fit for her, so it could only be about the saddle / bars.
 

Tin Pot

Guru
Yes, I think that is what TP is saying. It could be that her saddle is slightly too low but I don’t think it’s possible to make a meaningful and accurate assessment from your pic. Getting a proper bike fit could be a worthwhile investment though and might improve pedalling efficiency.

Yes, but as you hint - you can’t make one adjustment.

Opening up the hip angle is a combined result of all measurements. Changing one thing can ruin three others. Hence I advise a pro bike fit by a TT specialist.

You still haven’t talked about the routes you’ll be racing. Our local 10TT courses are all hilly but for two, so I would not care at all about aero for the season. Get an ok helmet and focus on training.
 
OP
OP
suzeworld

suzeworld

Veteran
Location
helsby
Yes, but as you hint - you can’t make one adjustment.

Opening up the hip angle is a combined result of all measurements. Changing one thing can ruin three others. Hence I advise a pro bike fit by a TT specialist.

You still haven’t talked about the routes you’ll be racing. Our local 10TT courses are all hilly but for two, so I would not care at all about aero for the season. Get an ok helmet and focus on training.

I see = thanks

This is the course we are doing, it is classed as FLAT --- but it aint pancake flat, and there is a nice drop at the end of it!

https://www.frodshamwheelers.co.uk/hatton10/

Here's the report of my first go including my photo and time! LOL
https://www.frodshamwheelers.co.uk/hatton-10-tt-2018-round-3-10-mile-time-trial/2018/05/
 
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Tin Pot

Guru
I see = thanks

This is the course we are doing, it is classed as FLAT --- but it aint pancake flat, and there is a nice drop at the end of it!

https://www.frodshamwheelers.co.uk/hatton10/

Here's the report of my first go including my photo and time! LOL
https://www.frodshamwheelers.co.uk/hatton-10-tt-2018-round-3-10-mile-time-trial/2018/05/

Yeah aero will help on that, but you need to look at your season - talk to whoever runs your club tts they’ll tell you what the courses are like over the year, it won’t be the same one repeatedly. They’ll hook you up with anyone selling off their old kit cheap too :smile:
 
OP
OP
suzeworld

suzeworld

Veteran
Location
helsby
They do this every week in the Summer through to August.
I will then go to France, hopefully with stamina improved to enjoy some hills around Mt Ventoux, which is my personal goal - to improve my endurance.
 

viniga

Guru
Location
Glasgow
I started doing TTs last year on my roadbike. All 10s. Since I enjoyed it I got a pair of clip on bars and some overshoes. Clip on bars made a noticeable difference over 10 miles, overshoes are cheap and it rains a lot :smile:

As others have said the cheapest investment is training as over a 10 it is really about power.

I have since bought a cheap Planet X helmet with a visor as there was a deal on, still not invested in a skinsuit but that is next.
 
OP
OP
suzeworld

suzeworld

Veteran
Location
helsby
Well my missis borrowed some bars and knocked 90 seconds off her time.
I am going to try with them.

The best things about doing this weekly challenge:
1. It’s really social b4 and after. Great atmosphere with the regulars.

2. The guy who holds the trophy (and always gets the best time on the course) finds the time and kindness to say something encouraging to me as he whizzes past. He ain’t a mate, we’ve never talked to each other so he doesn’t have any personal connection apart from sharing an effort. I really love this kindness.
 
OP
OP
suzeworld

suzeworld

Veteran
Location
helsby
Update.
We got back from France after the last of the local trials had been raced.
:sad:

Jumped onto the open @ Rainford and managed to get just under 30 minutes, which was my goal to do before my 60th birthday. Which is this week.
Great way to celebrate. Really happy.

Now we plan to do the same course as a 2-up. Maybe need a new thread for that.
:bicycle::bicycle:
 

Sharky

Guru
Location
Kent
Update.
We got back from France after the last of the local trials had been raced.
:sad:

Jumped onto the open @ Rainford and managed to get just under 30 minutes, which was my goal to do before my 60th birthday. Which is this week.
Great way to celebrate. Really happy.

Now we plan to do the same course as a 2-up. Maybe need a new thread for that.
:bicycle::bicycle:
Great course is that at Rainford. Used to be my local 10 course and where I did my PB 10, although the start was in Blind Foot Lane in those days.
Unfortunately now live in Kent, but I do try and ride an event there every now and then. One year, I travelled up (240miles) in the morning for a Sat afternoon event, only to find that they had been cutting the central reservation and the cones had not been removed. The event was cancelled!
 
OP
OP
suzeworld

suzeworld

Veteran
Location
helsby
Great course is that at Rainford. Used to be my local 10 course and where I did my PB 10, although the start was in Blind Foot Lane in those days.
Unfortunately now live in Kent, but I do try and ride an event there every now and then. One year, I travelled up (240miles) in the morning for a Sat afternoon event, only to find that they had been cutting the central reservation and the cones had not been removed. The event was cancelled!
Oh hiya - shame about living in Kent. Small world even so - cos we have quite a lot of family round there. Mum in law lives in Faversham.

Crikey .. What a drag to get here and find it cancelled.

They nearly sabotaged us, this year, with advance signs warning about poss road works over the date we were due to ride. It's a farce when they know you have something planned - and no doubt insist on being told, but take no notice of the event. They told our organisiser this year their work would be "weather dependent". We did the ride, so I guess they held off to Sunday as it was not raining either day .. but the same thing could have easily happened again.

We are going to ride it again next week, as a 2up. Something new.

Have you done much of that?
 

Sharky

Guru
Location
Kent
Oh hiya - shame about living in Kent. Small world even so - cos we have quite a lot of family round there. Mum in law lives in Faversham.

Crikey .. What a drag to get here and find it cancelled.

They nearly sabotaged us, this year, with advance signs warning about poss road works over the date we were due to ride. It's a farce when they know you have something planned - and no doubt insist on being told, but take no notice of the event. They told our organisiser this year their work would be "weather dependent". We did the ride, so I guess they held off to Sunday as it was not raining either day .. but the same thing could have easily happened again.

We are going to ride it again next week, as a 2up. Something new.

Have you done much of that?
It wasn't entirely wasted. I am a Prescot lad and at the time my elderly Uncle was living there so was always an excuse to visit the area. Alas he passed away in Jan this year (95 yrs). But still have cousins and friends in the area so will make an effort next year.

Have ridden a few 2 ups. They are hard and easy to go too fast too soon and then you are hanging onto your partner.

Faversham is a great place. My son lives just outside at Tenysham. Probably the wrong spelling and even harder to pronounce.

Good luck with the 2-up
Keith
 
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OP
OP
suzeworld

suzeworld

Veteran
Location
helsby
That journey can take soooo long now.

Be cool to meet you if you do it next year.
Lots of ppl said it was very well organised this year (by Frodsham Wheelers). I have nothing to compare it to, being such a newbie. I liked it though and started to meet local figures in the region.

I like Faversham too. We are not there very often, passed through on our way out and back from France.

I am relaxed about the 2up, will post our time in here. It’s all just for the experience really. I was pleased to find my 29.54 time was very close to the “standard” for my age, considering I only did a few rides so far I feel happy with it

Cheers, Suze
 
OP
OP
suzeworld

suzeworld

Veteran
Location
helsby
Yes, but as you hint - you can’t make one adjustment.

Opening up the hip angle is a combined result of all measurements. Changing one thing can ruin three others. Hence I advise a pro bike fit by a TT specialist.

Erm, how do we set about finding a specialist someone to do this fit?
 
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