network profile
| bio | website | tomdiethe.com |
|---|---|---|
| location | London, United Kingdom | |
| age | 35 | |
| visits | member for | 1 year, 5 months |
| seen | May 7 at 10:21 | |
| stats | profile views | 11 |
Software Engineer, interests in Machine Learning and Computational Statistics
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Jan 13 |
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Why aren't Tour de France riders going any faster? Not sure if the data on TTs is available, but yes that would be interesting, although I don't think there were TT specialists in the past like there are now (perhaps the TT times of the overall winner would be fair). Regarding the weight, as I put in a comment above I don't see the weight of the bikes as the only factor in the technology, but yes this is probably the main limiter for climbing speed (other than stiffness) |
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Jan 13 |
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Why aren't Tour de France riders going any faster? @jv42 this is a fair point, except that earlier editions of the tour were disproportionately harder! For example in 1919 (the slowest tour) the total distance was 5560km, compared to 3430km last year, and although I don't have stats on how much climbing they've done each year I don't think it's changed a lot since they introduced the mountains. Also note that rest days were only introduced in the late 60's |
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Jan 13 |
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Why aren't Tour de France riders going any faster? I'm still surprised the differences aren't bigger, but yes I agree, we do seem to be reaching an asymptote. Maybe the question is "How did they go so blinking fast in 1960!?" (37.2kp/h, vs 39.8 last year) |
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Jan 13 |
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Why aren't Tour de France riders going any faster? The last point is interesting, but sure it's not just weight: what about tyre technology, better brakes (for the downhills), clipless pedals, carbon semi-aero rims, super light climbing wheels, carbon-soled shoes, aero-tubing on bike frames, concealed cables etc etc etc. And not to mention better (smoother) roads! |
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Jan 13 |
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Why aren't Tour de France riders going any faster? Agree with the first point (the cube law of resistance) to a degree. However it's missing the fact that the overall leader (who's time we're looking at) will spend a huge amount of time in the bunch or surrounded by teammates, or otherwise climbing where air resistance is less of a factor. In fact since team tactics have become so important, I would say that this should be the case now more than ever! As for the second point, yes this is true to an extent, but in the 60's they really had no idea about training routines (build/taper phases etc), or correct nutrition (steak for breakfast???) |
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Jan 13 |
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Why aren't Tour de France riders going any faster? Was trying to avoid that issue, but even if you take that into account, you would expect a massive rise around the time of super-high haematocrit levels (think Pantani) but that's not there either. |
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Jan 13 |
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FSA GOSSAMER ROAD CRANKSET with BB7800? Afraid not .... |
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Jan 13 |
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Online turbo / spinning resources Not seen those before - look pretty good actually. $12 a video isn't that bad actually ... might give it a go myself |
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Jan 12 |
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Online turbo / spinning resources re powerblast ... that's why I've not tried them myself! |
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Jan 11 |
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Can I use normal grease for a car on the surface of carbon bike? @DanielRHicks true enough - the Finish Line stuff is definitely safe though (I'll add it to my answer) |
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Jan 10 |
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Clear lacquer on steel frame Thanks for the pointers ... I'll try to post here when I get round to actually doing it!! |
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Jan 9 |
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Clear lacquer on steel frame Something like this? amazon.co.uk/SP320-Solvent-Clear-Epoxy-System/dp/B00382W7ZI |
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Jan 6 |
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Is it a bad idea to take a commuter bike for a 50 - 100km ride? Not sure we'll ever agree on this, but presumably someone who uses a bike regularly for commuting would also benefit from knowing how to fix a puncture. Plus I've been in a position when we've had new riders join our group, and it's pretty annoying when they a) don't know how to change a puncture, and b) have to borrow inner tubes etc from other members of the group. I carry two, but that doesn't mean one for me and one for you!! |
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Jan 5 |
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Is it a bad idea to take a commuter bike for a 50 - 100km ride? @DanielRHicks until your cellphone is out of battery or you have no reception, and there's no-one about. Besides which it's a bit selfish to rely on others! I would argue that a pump, levers and inner tube(s) should be with you on every ride! |
