Aero testing - Cal Rides

[Steve_Davidson]

Is there a speed where you should make sure you are in the 'position' to be tested when starting a cal ride? And also likewise when slowing to turn round and accelerating back up to speed. Really looking at TT position testing and just want to make sure that only the TT position is being calibrated.

cheers


Steve

[racerfern]

Try to do the calibration ride at your "normal" TT pace. Don't worry about starting out slowly or turning as that part of the cal ride doesn't hold much significance in the calculations. If you ride at 25mph/40kph then try to maintain that speed in the position you would normally hold.

[coachboyd]

I don't worry so much about speed when aero testing, although putting in some efforts can be a good thing to see how well you are holding position while racing.
If you have a good 2-4 mile stretch of road then do you coastdowns and out and back ride on this road (if you have a DFPM, then just do the out and back). That way you have the crr for that stretch of road and you know that is going to stay the same.

Once you have your new profile loaded, then I do runs along that same road (so any changes are due to position, not changing road conditions). I like to use the time advantage feature to tell if I am faster or slower. Once you get up to speed and in position you can just notice the time gaining or losing as you are riding. As soon as you are done with that run you'll know if your position is better or worse.

[Steve_Davidson]

I don't worry so much about speed when aero testing, although putting in some efforts can be a good thing to see how well you are holding position while racing.
If you have a good 2-4 mile stretch of road then do you coastdowns and out and back ride on this road (if you have a DFPM, then just do the out and back). That way you have the crr for that stretch of road and you know that is going to stay the same.

Once you have your new profile loaded, then I do runs along that same road (so any changes are due to position, not changing road conditions). I like to use the time advantage feature to tell if I am faster or slower. Once you get up to speed and in position you can just notice the time gaining or losing as you are riding. As soon as you are done with that run you'll know if your position is better or worse.

Thanks Boyd. So far I've only done cal rides for my tests as I've not taken a laptop with me. I might give your protocol a try next time.

What I was really getting at with my question was whether it was OK to press the center button to start the cal ride whilst stationary (as it wouldn't process the data until you had breached a certain speed - like the coast downs), or if it was better to get up to a reasonable speed and in position before starting the cal ride, (what I've been doing but sometimes having difficulty with gloves pressing the button).

The other point was that to turn round, is it best to stay in position and freewheel until speed drops or is it OK to just sit up and brake to scrub off speed quickly. I usually freewheel for a few seconds and then sit up and look behind before braking and turning.

I've had some reasonable results but have been getting inconsistent friction numbers and riding tilt so am trying to make sure I'm doing the best I can with the protocol before venturing out for further testing (it's hard work ).

cheers

Steve

[racerfern]

Steve,

That's why I posted my previous answer the way I did. The start, turnaround and finish are not weighted in. So it's OK to start the calride completely stopped and get up to speed normally. Just turn around normally which would probably be under 5 mph then resume your speed on the return leg. The cal ride will end automatically without you having to do anything. Unlike older firmware versions you don't even have to hit the center button at the turnaround. You only hit the center button to start the calride.

I usually sit up, start to brake, glance back and turn around. No need to coast excessively nor to slam on the brakes.