"Sorta feels like I am cheating"
A Robbie Allen Story about his Aerfast.4 Platinum
A few weeks to adjust was all I needed. A few weeks to mould my body to the fast position dictated by the Storck Aerfast4 - and now we’re ‘literally and figuratively’ sailing. Combined with the call-up of Coach Chops to fine-tune my position, I could well be on my sofa watching re-runs of Gilligan’s Island, I’m that bloody comfortable on my bike at the moment.
All I can say is - I am now set up to race.
When people speak of the cumulative effect of marginal gains, whereby enough of these small gains add together to make a noticeable difference in either wattage, or raceability - what I’m seeing with my equipment, and what I’m feeling with my position on the Aerfast is that - forget marginal. We’re now talking noticeable and obvious.
Mind you, the Storck race machine that I’ve been riding for the past couple months is also decked out in possibly the most elite wheels I’ve ever used - the Zeitjaeger Platinum’s. With these carbon-bladed spokes / ceramic hubs wheels added to the overall picture, I am now firmly of the opinion that if you train as a bike racer and are looking for gainZ (with a capital Z) - look to what equipment you race on. Your wheels, your frame, your tyres.
The bike needs to be set up to go fast in a race scenario, it needs to be as aero as possible, it needs to be stiff AND comfortable, and if your body enables it, it needs to be aggressive with a low front end.
If you train to perform in criterium racing, where you spend an hour max at a sustained wattage, the benefits of a superbike can certainly translate to MACRO gainz – that is, clearly noticeable advantages to your wattage output.
To be honest the last few weeks are anything to go by, it feels a little bit as if I’m cheating.
I am not any fitter or stronger that I was last year, my FTP is lower, and yet I’m regularly competitive in sprints, can sustain longer turns on the front, and am fresher towards the pointy end of the race. I can only put it down backing my training routine, the aero benefits of the bike, and the power transfer of the frame and components.
4th, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 2nd in my last 6 outings.
This is certainly great, but also combined with little snippets that maybe I would have brushed aside in the past - are clearly becoming noticeable. KOMs and PRs on segments on some usual training rides, and regular, consistent results in racing. It’s had me scratching my head for answers.
If I’m searching for answers to what I’m seeing, and what I’m feeling – I suspect its actually pretty simple. That is - advancements is materials, design and technology. The most aero-bike on the planet that only weighs 7.2kg with Ultegra Di2 is a myth - or so I thought.
If the testing grounds for the technology of the fastest bikes are the wind tunnels of Germany, and *cough* the criterium tracks of Sydney, well then I’m more than happy to strap-on some guinea pig ears and let rip for the cause.
Back your bike. Back your ability, and you’ll be rewarded.
