These New Wheels (pic included) are SMOKIN'

[Mr. Bloom]

Despite all the confusion over the last 24 hours about clinchers (that have tubes) vs. tubular (that are actually tube-less), I got my new wheels out for a 20 mile spin today at 18.4mph despite a 15 to 25mph head/cross wind! Max of 33.2mph on the flats (while shielded from the wind!)

For me this is an unbelievable - particularly on a very windy day. The last time I did this course in similar conditions, my average was 15.8mph! SuuuuWEET! Plus, I'm more comfortable with a more aggressive posture in the drops...and this is making a big difference.

Then, I took my mom somewhere and put on a belt that has been too small for 20 or the last 25 years!

The Vittoria wheels were unbelievably responsive and awesome on corners!

Here are the smokin' new wheels:

Bontrager RaceXLite Wheels (Clinchers:rolleyes:)
Vittoria Open Corsa EVO-CX Tires inflated to 130 psi
Brand New Shimano Ultegra Cassette


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/MrSilver1963/Picture008.jpg

[HillSlugger]

Of course new wheels make you faster! Very nice.

[7rider]

Nice.
What kind of tires and at what pressure did you run them on the old wheels (which were....???)?
What's the range on the cassette?

My DH runs those tires on his wheels (also Race X Lites, I think, now that I think of it). He love, love, loves them.....

Happy speed....

[Mr. Bloom]

7rider:
Old wheels were Bontrager SSR with Bontrager Race Lite Kevlar tires @ 120psi. The tires were new (following a series of flats) and the wheels were new with the bike 15 months ago. I was concerned that the wheel hubs were shot and didn't have good "natural spin" when spun on a rack.

New Cassette is 12-25.

[Mr. SR500]

Wheels look great, really go well with the blue. For a light, durable wheel, RaceXLites are hard to beat. Nice tire selection as well. I went thur 2 sets of Vittoria's - Great ride!

Looking at your bars, I would consider rotating them up (like Silvers - if I recall correctly). You might need to get a stem with less rise to get you back down. Do whatever is comfortable, but if you rotate you shifters up, you can grasp them like a hand gun handle. This gives you another grip option and allows you to keep your fore arms level and maintain a more aero position. So you'll have top of the bar, hoods, drops, and shifters. Just a thought.

How is the RAIN training coming? It's going to be rough for me. Had a long ride for the year of 67 miles Sunday. Felt ok, but it was windy and going a lot further would have been rough. My previous long was 39 miles last month. I've been riding a bit stronger then last year, TT's, even did a couple races, but everything is short distances (less then 40 miles). Building up to 160 will take some work. I like to be able to go about 120 miles around 2 weeks before RAIN. It's coming fast!

[Mr. Bloom]

How is the RAIN training coming? It's going to be rough for me. Had a long ride for the year of 67 miles Sunday. Felt ok, but it was windy and going a lot further would have been rough. My previous long was 39 miles last month. I've been riding a bit stronger then last year, TT's, even did a couple races, but everything is short distances (less then 40 miles). Building up to 160 will take some work. I like to be able to go about 120 miles around 2 weeks before RAIN. It's coming fast!

Well, I did 80 on Saturday...could have gone farther, but had a hair cut appointment.

This weekend, we expect to do 170 at the Horsey Hundred...so, I don't know how Coach Silver feels, but I think I'm doing OK...

[silver]

yep, training for RAIN is good, but keep in mind, we are not planning for a "fast RAIN" rather a "complete RAIN."

I was able to complete my first century for the year on Sat. (continued on when Mr. had to get his hair cut). And then there's the Horsey this weekend.

I totally agree with you about the handlebars!!! but some things, he doesn't listen to me on. Ya know? maybe coming from you? :rolleyes:

[Mr. SR500]

Congrats on the century! RAIN is very personal as far as goals. For many it is the one yearly yard stick they measure themselves against. For others it's a great achievement to just finish (these are the people that are the most motivational - great stories and effort).

Last year I was off the bike for 1 hour total (WOW!), Ride time was right at 8:15, total time was around 9:13. But I had a great time talking to my wife and friends at the stops, getting refueled, hearing the rumors and gossip that trickle along the route (did a guy really hit a deer, did so and so crash?, etc...) I had a very good ride after little sleep the night before (nerves), and felt stronger as the day went (too many nerves at the start).

Several of my riding buddies will be top 10, top 20 and top 30, but they don't stop, use feed bags, and it's a different experience. I would love to break 9 hours, but I'll need decent conditions, more training, and less time off the bike. I'll do the best I can, and hope to have a great ride, but I also want to enjoy the time with Kim as she helps me along the way.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mr. S-
Congratulations, it's great when you love love things on your bike! :p :p
A new cassette is NICE to have. :D

Are the new tires non kevlar? Aren't you afraid of flats now?
Do watch out for squirrels- those spokes are classic Squirrel Catchers! :eek:

I agree about rotating your bars up- it'll be way better on your body and you'll have more hand/arm position options and more control. Yours are exaggeratedly down as you have them set now.

I'm a little confused as to why you say you are more comfortable down in the drops due to the new wheels- why would this be? :confused: Certainly hunkering down more will get you more speed in windy conditions, but how are the new wheels helping this?

Nice lookin' bike, dude. :)

[Flybye]

I got my new wheels out for a 20 mile spin today at 18.4mph despite a 15 to 25mph head/cross wind! Max of 33.2mph on the flats (while shielded from the wind!)


Lalalalala - not listening :D:D

I do not need new tires. I.DO.NOT.

I looked at a catalog the other day, a tire catalog. Sssshhhh.............

Nice tires!! Thanks for the picts.

I say wear your handlebars upside down if you wanna. The Flying Scotsman sawed his bike in half to make it work better for him. I personally find my bike handlebars more comfortable now that I have pink waterbottle cages :p:rolleyes::cool:. Call it the placebo effect if you want!

[Mr. Bloom]

OK, today at the LBS, they adjusted my handlebars. No complaints...I didn't notice the migration.

Lisa, the wheels didn't make me more comfortable in the drops...the new level of comfort is coincidental. I also finding more power in the drops on the steep climbs as well. Tires are kevlar...and I like it that way.

Yesterday on a ride with Silver and friend Dan, we were talking about my down hill coasting posture. Since my legs are short, it's hard to get my butt up high...so, I dropped my chin VERY low to compensate...it worked.

Flybye: These tires are AWESOME!