Conference noted::bicycle

	A recent article in Bicycle magazine covered cost/performance for
various items aimed at reducing wind resistence including disk wheels. You
should probably read it before spending money. I read the article at a friends
house so I have neither the article nor the exact month. Any help out there? 

Ed

    
    
       YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT YOU DO HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY
    TO GET A DISK WHEEL. CAMPY, AMBROSIO AND MAVIC ALL MAKE GOOD DISK
    WHEELS BUT THEY GO FOR $500-$700 BIG ONE AND THATS WITHOUT A FREEWHEEL
     I HAVE HEARD THAT IN A YEAR OR TWO SOME LESS EXPENSIVE JAPANESE
    AND KOREAN WHEELS WILL BE ON THE MARKET BUT WILL NOT BE THE SAME
    QUALITY AS THE NAME BRAND MANUFACTURES.
      THE OTHER ALTERNATIVES ARE TO BUY WHELL COVERS, WHICH ARE NOT
    LEGAL IN MOST COMPETITIONS, OR TO JOIN A CLUB THAT HAS A DISK WHELL
    AND WILL LET YOU USE IT IN COMPETITION.
        I BELONG TO THE WORCESTER ROAD CLUB THAT IS SPONSORED BY BICYCLE
    ALLEY ON MAIN ST. BY WEBSTER SQUARE IN WORCESTER AND I KNOW THE
    CLUB HAS A DISK BUT I DO NOT KNOW HTE RULES FOR USE. I AM SURE THERE
    ARE OTHER CLUBS WITH WHEELS THAT WILL LOAN THEM TO MEMBERS.
      IT COULD WELL BE WORTH JOINING A CLUB FOR THE SUMMER JUST TO TALK
    TO THE LOCAL TRIATHALETES AND TIME TRIAL FANS AND MAYBE EVEN HOOK
    UP WITH A GOOD USED DISK FOR A MORE REASONABLE PRICE
    
    
                                                 REGARDS,
                                   JOHN "WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SPOKES"CRANE
    

    
    re triathlons and disks
    
    Rumor has it that Tri-Fed is contemplating making bicycle standards
    this year.  Most are coming under the heading of safety restrictions.
    already mentioned for possible exclusion/regulation are Scott DH
    handlebars, disk wheels, minimum number of spokes.  They wouldn't
    take effect this year, but it should would be beat to buy it and
    not be able to use it.
    
    JD
    
    

    re: .2
    		DON'T SHOUT
    
    re: .1
    
    There is an article in the August issue of Triathlete on disks and
    and the different type of spoke wheels.

     I saw the article in Triathlete.  It was a good and informative
    piece.  I pretty much feel confident about knowing about disks,
    from reading at least.  What I don't have is the actual experience
    of using one.  That is an individual thing, so, until I try one,
    I won't really know for sure what it is like.
     What a drag, if Tri-Fed does make bike rulings.  I guess I would
    forgive them if I lost control on a winding descent (because of
    the Scott bars).  I read somewhere recently that the Scott bars
    actually are less safe than regular drop bars.  Probably they are
    fine for someone with good bike handling skills, but there could
    be a safety issue.
     If Tri-Fed does disallow disks also, it would save me some money,
    but, then again, us bike fanatics enjoy new unusual gear, that helps
    us go faster.
     Just think of when you bought a nice racing bike ( I realize everyone
    is not a racer, so allow some liberty here ). After purchasing it
    you were out some serious bucks, but somehow it all became worth
    it when you cranked effortlessly along, hitting speeds unattainable
    on your former bike.  You get the picture ?  Despite being expensive,
    the feel of going fast without as much effort is something you can't
    put a price on.  It does cost an awful lot of money to have it though. 

    I have read quite a bit on the disk wheels and covers in the past,
    I too was interested in trying them. The one negative factor I came
    across again and again was cross wind trouble. Apparently, the disks
    have such a large surface area that in a decent cross wind they
    act as sails and can wreak havoc on your stability. I have never
    ridden on them, this "sail effect" does make sense. 
    
    							* MAC *

    
    I've ridden one, and I hated it. It was just too much work keeping
    the bike going straight, both physically and mentally.
    
    You don't have a top of the line bike yet. Disk wheels should be
    the last of your upgrades. Think about a top shelf set of TT wheels,
    like 28 spoke front/32 rear, Mavic CX18 290 gm 18mm rims, and a
    pair of Dordoigne 18mm tires at 150 psi. That should get you into
    the just-under-the-disk-wheel territory for a LOT less than one,
    more like $250 max.
    
    If you want them built, let me know, I've done quite a few sets
    like this.
    
    Chris
    
    
    

    Thanks for the offer.  I currently race on a set of wheels I had
    built by Performance.  They have Araya ADX-4 rims, 24 bladed spokes
    on the front (radial pattern).  On the rear wheel, I have 28 bladed,
    in a two cross pattern.
      The wheels I have are pretty nice, so I feel very satisfied with
    them.  I just seem to think that a disk might give me the edge I
    am looking for.  Maybe I should just be satisfied with what I have
    and wait until I can afford a really hot bike (i.e. Kestrel, Look,
    or other awesome frame) before getting a disk.

    With bladed spokes, aero rims, and a cross pattern like the one
    you've got, the aerodynamic advantage of a disk is practically nil.  
    Look at the figures published in this file about a year ago on the drag
    of bladed spokes versus a disk.  After reading it, you may lose
    interest in disks altogether, no matter how cheap they get. 
    
    But ultimately, -.1 is correct.  I measure my success in a TT 
    by how many people I beat with shaved legs, disks, Campy C, and
    monogrammed frames.
    
    MATT

    and if Matt can do it wearing loafers he gets a bigger thrill!
    
    ed