When to Train with Race Wheels?
622
Member
565 days
Iron Dan posted 1 year ago.
I look at it the same way that I look at shaving for competitive swimming. You "save the shave" for race day and it will make you feel so much faster in the water and it gives you a mental edge.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to ride your "race" wheels around, I mean it is a lot of money to spend on wheels to just leave them in the garage, However, you run the risk of damaging the wheels if you use it in training and you happen to hit a pothole.
Personally, I try to just ride on my training wheels for fear of damaging my race wheels. However, every once in a while I just can't stand it and I have to take them out on a training ride. This is maybe once or twice a year outside of race days.
1127
Member
985 days
UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
Iron Dan;80997 wrote:
I look at it the same way that I look at shaving for competitive swimming. You "save the shave" for race day and it will make you feel so much faster in the water and it gives you a mental edge.
+1. Plus it looks kinda silly to get all decked out to train.
______________________________________________
-Matt
Not fast enough.
59
Member
585 days
hollywood1 posted 1 year ago.
i only use mine for the dedicated races and out Time trial series. when it's training have a pair of heavy alloy 36 spoke wheels which way heaps.
when you put on your nice carbon wheels you really see the difference, also like the others say, it has a placebo effect.
dont get bitter, get better
372
Member
895 days
kkocan posted 1 year ago.
I took mine out training on 3 occasions:
1. The day I got them cause they were cool and I wanted to see how the rode.
2. On a blustery/windy day to make sure I was ok with the handling.
3. I took my disc out for one training ride in the hills to see how it climbed for IMWI. It was fine.
Other than that they just hang in my garage looking fast.
________________________________________________
2008 Main Races:
VA Beach Shamrock Marathon
Desoto TTT
WV Mountaineer HIM
IM Wisconsin
3354
Member
1412 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
I train and race on my HED-3's all the time. These are quite durable wheels. Other race wheels are not.
I am therefore completely comfortable with my wheels in every weather and wind and road condition.
I'd much rather ride 'em than look at 'em hanging on the wall.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
4496
Member
1644 days
kylie posted 1 year ago.
When I use race wheels I tend to do one shortish ride on them before the race to make sure the handling and feel of them is ok, and to make sure that everything is working as expected.
Once I get my own race wheels, they will have a spot on the wall of "artwork" for enjoyment of their beauty the rest of the time ;)
1127
Member
985 days
UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
Awwww.....your kids are sooooo cute!
I think you guys have the same taste in interior design as I do! :D
______________________________________________
-Matt
Not fast enough.
4496
Member
1644 days
kylie posted 1 year ago.
I'm just waiting for the race poster from IM KY to get framed an added (the one there now is from my first half IM and is signed by Mark Allen). And then... the race wheels!!! They are close to ready!! I can't wait -- Mike will be racing on one of the first sets of them in Kona. The wheels are ones that Rich of Wheelbuilder is designing himself :)
1012
Member
1203 days
PJT posted 1 year ago.
Same as what others are saying. I put them a few days before a race to do a shakeout ride. I do this basically to ensure everything is working properly--no leaks have developed in the tubes, brake pads are positioned correctly, shifting is OK, etc.
3354
Member
1412 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
Guess I'm the minority here - But I like the "race as you train mantra".
And I really don't need to put on different wheels to get me pumped to race fast on the bike. :)
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
4496
Member
1644 days
kylie posted 1 year ago.
Well if I wanted or had race wheels that could stand up to the rigors of daily training without stressing me out too much, then I might be more likely to do that. But I also borrow wheels for race day sometimes, and then again it just isn't an option. I still find it worth it to borrow the wheels for the mental benefit and fun factor :)
25
Member
519 days
triyodie posted 1 year ago.
For me, I'll use the race wheels in my races only. Maybe go for a slow spin with them before a race to make sure I don't have any unexpected problems. For training, I use some heavy wheels and try to maintain a good speed so when race day comes, I look forward to riding them and reap the benefits they bring. Hope this helps.
152
Member
453 days
Gary3 posted 1 year ago.
For the most part I use training wheels but there are many times I use my Zipp 404's. The Zipps are very durable and can take a lot of punishment, it just annoys me when I get a flat to use the extensions attached to the valves which must be properly inserted to fill up. Now, I use the extra long valve 80mm and the extensions are no longer needed,
I've trained and raced on the same wheels for six years now. Currently my training wheels are Velomax Circuits. I rented a pair of race wheels at Ironman AZ in April and loved them. I now own a pair of Zipp 808's. They look great sitting in my garage and would really like to ride them around. Does anyone incorporate race day wheels into their training program? Like long rides or speed days? Or for best result do I just use them for races??? Thanks, Michael.