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How long can you leave a Wheelbuilder aero jacket on for?

rmillerrmiller
in General Training Discussions

I got a WheelBuilder aero jacket, and used it this past weekend at Quassy.  They say in the instructions that it's not intended for general training purposes, and while I'm down with that - I'm curious what the primary reasons they say that are.  Reason I want to know is that the LP camp is coming up, and I'd like to use it then.  And then of course, only a handful of weeks after that is the race itself. 

Sure, taking off the cassette and removing the jacket isn't that big a deal - but I'm curious about what I'm really risking by leaving it on.

 

Comments

  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    At a minimum, you risk severe Fred status...

    Out of curiosity, why would you want it on for camp?

    I think they are pretty durable, but are not really meant for many, many consecutive days of use. It'll be a P.I.T.A. to pump your tire. With all the road vibration over many many weeks, you 'might' get come cracks in the plastic, especially near the grommet holes or you might lose some of the little plastic screws. Oh yeah, and you might looks like a Fred training for 8 weeks with it...
  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    Two reasons why you ought not do that:

    • Severe Fred status, as John says
    • You will lose the 'race-day' mental boost of having the cover on

    By that I mean that we do all the race day stuff so that we can go faster on the same level of effort.  Since we DO NOT train to a particular speed, we get the psychological boost of going faster when we put on the wheelcover, remove extra bottle holders, ride with our aero helmet, etc.....

    Leaving the wheelcover on would be like doing all your rides with an aerohelmet.  Sure it will save you money (only need one helmet after all), buuuuuuttttt.....................

  • BomberBomber
    I've had mine on for several months....no problem
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    It will crack a bit over time- usually around the hole where the cassette comes through. But what you are talking about is maybe 8 weeks? I don't think that will hurt it much- the real reason to take it on/off are the other points folks have already made.
  • Steve WestSteve West
    For me, doing the 'Fred' thing is not a big deal - I really don't care what someone thinks of me and my bike. But I do agree with the mental aspect of saving your 'party dress' for race day - makes it that much more special and I feel more focused and in the moment.

    But there is also the need to know how the disc feels in long fast descents, particularly if there is some squirrelly wind on the screaming decent to Keene. I am likely to bring mine for the Friday ride but take it off for Saturday.

    If you have a PowerTap, no tools are needed - the cassette and hub pop off easily, just pull the skewer. Takes about 90 seconds to go from 'party dress' to training wheel.
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Ryan,

    For me the Fred status doesn't matter I'm with Steve W on this one doing my own thing looking the way I do.  As for using it at the camp I'd personally say go for it.  I see this event as a RR type workout.  I typically use my cover for the two RR and race day.  I will go though the pain of removing it and putting it back for the race day mental boost and also to ensure the cover does not crack or wear.  Also the RR's force me to check out the equipment far in advance to ensure I can order, replace, fix anything that is not working corectly. 

    I'll also go with my race day tires for the total wow I'm that much faster effect (relatively speking of course as I'm not that fast), then back to the gatorskin's to plow though till the RR2 and race week.

    Gordon

  • rmillerrmiller
    All good points - thanks, everyone.

    JW - apparently you were too fast at Quassy to see my total Fred get-up. image

    Seriously, though - I don't care about the Fred bit, but I didn't consider the race day mentality that can come with it. My only concern with that is feeling like I'm ricky racer on race day, and thats not a good thing.

    I think I'll just remove it for now, add it back in for the camp (good idea on testing it on the descents - but I'll bring the chain whip to remove it), and then remove it until race day. It's really not a huge deal - was just curious if there was anything major I was not thinking of when considering keeping it on.

    Thanks!
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