I don't recall the details of the bikes in the 1979 TdF, but did Hinault use a different bike for mountain stages? That certainly would not have been unprecedented
Regards
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
Forbes Bagatelle-Black <diarmaede@yahoo.com> wrote: "From: ABB3330002@aol.com Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 12:39:09 EDT Subject: Re: [CR]Aero tubed bikes.... Taking it back
Remember that Hinault won the '79 Tour on his aero Gitane, so I wouldn't be too quick to ascribe penalties to the weight-- the bikes are sleek, and when well finished tuck all cables. Go for it Gart-- Alan Bernstein, hot NY"
Remember that weight effects acceleration and climbing much more than speed on the flats. The only effect weight has on constant velocity travel on level ground is a very small increase in the rolling resistance of the tires.
Aerodynamics, on the other hand, becomes extremely important when travelling at high speeds. The force required to overcome aero drag increases dramatically (proportionally to V^2 for my fellow nerds, and power requirements increase proportionally to V^3). This applies to riding on flat ground or up and down hills.
So, weight is more important for crits and hill climbs. Aerodynamics more important for constant-velocity high-speed runs. This is why we see aerodynamics playing a larger role in the design of time trial/triathalon bikes, less of a role in bicycles designed for crits and standard road races. (Sorry if this was obvious information for most of the folks on this list. I've got a vehicle engineer in me, and sometimes he just has to come out...)
Save those groovy aero tubes for someone who wants a classic steel time trial bike! (Or save them for the day you can build me a way-cool, 68cm time trial bike, but don't hold your breath because I'm dead broke and expecting a new baby in September)
Yours,
Forbes Bagatelle-Black Santa Clarita, CA
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