IMFL: power and wheel swaps

morpheus

 Now, for hilly training and racing-

Quarq Compact.  Race day gets 808s (pre Fire Crest) with wheel cover.  12-27 cassette

 

REALLY considering, due to the course-

going back to my DA TT cranks (54/42) but I want the power info.  Therefore, I've booked a PT 808 or disc from RaceDay Wheels.  That'll cost me about $200 on top of everything else.  And will throw on a 11-23 cassette.

 

 

Now, if this is totally out of line, I'll shelf the idea completely...BUT, Is there anyone out there that might rent me their PT wheel and wheel cover?  Or, if you have a PT 808, my wheel cover would fit, right?  Or will it?  My wheel cover fits my 808 great but it's on a Zipp hub, wonder if using a PT hub makes my wheel cover useless.  Anyway,  I'll pay for shipping and insurance.  It'll still be cheaper, I think, than what I've secured.  Tho, not as cheap as just using what I got.

 

My defense as to why...

A watt is a a watt, right.  So, if one pedal stroke on a smaller crank at X watts goes Y distance, and you compare that to another pedal stroke on a larger crank at X watts goes Y+Longer distance, then it seems like the larger crank will get me to the finish line sooner and using the wattage ceiling.

?

 

 

 

Mark Roberts

Chris,

Ive raced Fl 3 times and I think you would be fine with your current setup, but just switch your cassette. You will have plenty of gear with the 50-34 if you put an 11-23 on the back, or even an 11-21 (if you can find one).
Race day wheels may rent you a powertap equipped race wheel -- But, I think the biggest risk would be racing with a different power meter than what you have trained on. While it may be "close", power taps obviously measure power differently than the quarq I have seen some people who have had both on the bike write that they don't read the same. While they may be within 10-15 watts of each other, that difference is significant on race day as you may be seeing different numbers than what you have seen in training at the same effort level. There is even variation within different models of the same type of power meter. Bottom line, I'd figure out a way to race with the power meter that you have trained on. It is the only way to be sure the watts you see on race day are exactly what you have seen in training, race rehearsals, etc.

If you really want to ride the different cranks, maybe you can score the wheel before hand and at least do a race rehearsal on it.
Just a thought...
Good luck!

Joe Matchette

@Chris - Mark makes very valid arguments vis-a-vis power meters. Question - what speed are you spinning out at with your current setup? Follow-on to that -- do you see yourself meeting/exceeding that on the pancake flat IMFL course?

morpheus

@Mark- don't need the 54t for coolness, just thinking of ways to go faster at the same goal watts. Thanks for the advice. I've heard similar stuff. If it's not that big of a diff, then it's not worth the extra $.

@Joe- if you're asking if I spin out on the flats @ .75IF with my compact, then...no, I don't. Good point.


Yep, me overthinking again. How 'bout I go work on my swim & run instead?

mgraffeo

50-11 is a bigger gear than 53-12. 54 would get you a tiny, tiny fraction, but you'd only be using it at 33+mph. Stick with the quarq, get the 11-23, and don't overthink the room.

I'd offer my PT in Nov, but it's wired, which would probably further mess with your mojo...

novaavant

My quarq is a 52/38 on 110BCD just because I swap it on my road bike all the time and the 50/34 got on my last nerves with the constant shifting. If I didn't do the swap between bikes I would have stuck with the 50/34 on the TT bike. I have an 11/23 on the back and because of the 52/38 in front sometimes I feel the need to ride to the top of the cluster a lot to keep the RPMs high. I would say stick with the 50/34 and go 11/23 in the back. If the winds kick up as Mike said with a 50/11 you are still hauling and if they are against you then you will be thankful for the more forgiving gears.

morpheus

Alright. Group Conscience, you win.

Too many vets saying it's negligible gain for lots of PITA and even more $$.

Will roll with the Quarq 50t, my 808s + cover, and 11-whatever cassette.

You guys just saved me time, stress, and cash. Thank you.