Windy Conditions - Use Wheel Cover?
RnP, Others
This question got buried in another topic so I thought I'd start a new one.
Lots of comments out there about the IM SG bike course, being both hilly and windy. Any recommendations with regards to aero rear wheel covers? Use them, leave them at home, or bring them and be prepared to take them off before race day?
tom
0
Comments
I'd like for some WSM's to chime in but it's my understanding that you do want a wheel cover in very windy conditions.
The wheel cover will be faster, however if you are worried about it and sit up or slow down when it gets windy it problem negates the benefit of the wheel cover. In other words, if you are nervous about it, don't go with it. If you are confident in your handling skills and have road deep wheels in windy conditions before I would keep it on. Just remember not to fight the wind. If you need to steer into the wind to stay on the road lean with your body, don't turn your wheel.
With all that in mind, I understand IMSG has some pretty crazy hills (ascent and decent) to deal with. So maybe dragging the extra weight would be another factor to consider if your not really going to be very aero going up those hills anyway. I'd like to hear what Rich thinks since he's seen the course.
Tom,
What Matt and Nemo said. Personally, if the RD has not said that disk is not allowed, I will always run a disk or cover. I'm confident in my ability to not be blown into a ditch
.
FYI, there are no "crazy" descents. There is one sorta high speed one (high 30's, low 40's very briefly) when you enter the canyon that takes you to the Veyo wall, but it's very short. Road cuves to the right and the pavement is a little rough but, again, it's short. The descent from Veyo to SG (I say descent but there are actually a couple long climbs in here) will be windy but it's more of a headwind or cross from 2pm = blowing you towards the center of the road, not the shoulder. This is also a wide road, very straight with excellent visibility.
IOW, there is nothing very technical + high speed downhills that you need to worry about.
Did the clean up and then pulled out the wheel covers. I hadn't used them since last year, so I pulled out the box, laid everything out, pulled off the cassette and put on the covers. They just would not go on. I couldn't figure out the problem. Bent? Buckled? Just not sure. The holes didn't seem to be the right size and the screw holes were on the rims. 20 minutes of complete frustration later, I was kicking myself for leaving this to the last minute. I decided to scrap the wheel cover idea and just go with the regular wheel.
I put all the tools, covers and other stuff back in the garage. About 10 minutes later it finally dawns on me. Last year I upgraded; sold my wired PT and purchased a wireless model. The wheels also changed from Mavic Open Pro to DT Swiss 1.2. I needed different wheel covers! Felt like an idiot. Another 10 minutes go by and I remember my neighbor, former triathlete and former EN groupie, John Stark also had a PT with DT Swiss Wheels. I call him up and ask if he ever purchased disk wheel covers. Unbelievably, he did, so I head over to his place, grab the covers, install them and head out for a 10 minute ride to make sure everything works.
Stressful day ended well! Bike made it over to Tri Bike Transport drop-off in one piece and with wheel covers.
On to IM SG!
John Stark to the rescue!