Aero bars do make a difference so does a pointy helmet and a skin suit (no mini parachutes or pockets). So for about £120 if you do new you have the basis of a TT bike. (Wheels next then a frame)
A "roadies league" Minimum 20+ spokes per wheel, Drop bars, and std helmet. No skin suits
You need to think about how capture who rides which league and approach the Time Trial Secretary who is all ready busy as to how we make this work.
Set a poll up on the forum or do a straw poll at a couple of TT's.
Hobit, With the "old school" I think that no carbon this or that is not the way to go. What I propose is purely down to aero bars, as this one component will make a truly massive difference.Most people agree that they are worth a minute in a 10.The Idea would be to allow riders who want to ride a "normal" bike the opportunity to feel involved,and maybe motivated ?
-- Edited by merlin on Monday 22nd of June 2009 02:23:31 PM
Merlin The idea of a season long competition for the fixed was discussed and decided against it at the time no one really wanted to ride the hilly 14 on fixed. Steve Mahon has though and went pretty well on a 52X15. The league could be extended though with some rides at the end of the season.
H'Capping the riders based on the previous years results as a base would open the competition up for new riders. Handcaps only get shorter only so no sandbagging at the start of the new season.
Your right Fixed is not a major handicap My PB (23.02 was set on one 50X15), Chris Boardman/ Graham Obree set comp records for 10 and 25 on Fixed in the 90's. If you are fit and choose the right gear for your style and the course you should go as fast if not faster. (except the low gear that is definetley easier on Free!)
Bikes are well as Expensive/Cheap as anyone wants. I built mine for less than £250.00 with second hand or cheap parts from E-bay inc the frame. The engine is what makes the bikes go Slow or quick. "All the Kit. Full of S#!?" comes to mind in the words of one local ex-profesional.
I am not really up for an old school league as it would be well restrictive on many riders. Carbon road frames or forks come on almost every new bike alloys frames have shaped tubes so how do you write the rules. How many spokes are suffiecent? What shape/ material for the frame?
Merlin if you want abash I have a road going 54cm top tube/seat tube bike hanging up in a shed. You can borrow it any time.
CT, that's very true not everyone can afford,or even justify an up to date full on TT bike. It can be very off-putting turning up to a club TT and seeing all that beautiful expensive machinery! The fixed wheel league should be for all comers,it seems to me looking at the results so far, that riding a well set up fixed at club level is not a major handicap. And also, if you were fast or consistent and rode an "old school" fixed then you could be up for two extra awards!
Keep it simple. Fixed gear = fixed gear no other rules
'Old School' league = no aero helmets, no disc wheels, no aero bars, no carbon (Just like Planet X challenge) good idea encourage those to race who can't afford a TT bike
We just need more events in the league,or why can't every TT count towards the league? Why only these few events. While I'm on my soapbox-could we not also have a league or award for the points winner on a conventional non aero bar bike?
OK, every fixed competitor has to do a Watt test, anyone over 300 watts has to have their brakes screwed down to rub the rims until their power is down to 300 Watts
So now we have fixed gear, lead weights and rubbing brakes, is there any other way we psychologically damage these single speed nutters?
How about copying the Touring cars, have a weigh in and add lead weights to the skinny blokes bikes, oh and add some wind resisting pads to the sides of their protruding rib bones, that would even things up a bit.
Some competition will be good! I rode my fixed bike tonight in the Sevale 10 at Leigh Sinton and did a course pb for me... faster than I have gone on my 20 speed tt bike. It was quite unexpected as I felt dreadful during tuesdays tt, but felt great tonight. Probably something to do with the 40 cans of lager I drank over the weekend at the motocross gp....
Excellent! I'll ride gears again tonight so that the fixed gear competition can go the distance. I look forward to seeing you and your fixed gear bike soon! What have you built up? Here is a picture of the bike I am using in the league.
If anyone else does want a go at the fixed league, I don't mind missing a round or forget the points from the first round to make the competition fair.
