To Buy Aero Wheels or Not?

Came across a great little article on whether age-groupers should purchase aero wheels or not.  In other words, is the extra cost worth it? 

Aero Wheels

I have often advised my athlete’s and friends that a disk rear and a deep dish front (i.e. 404) will save you about 60s in a 40km time trial.  But, on one day it may only save you 20s and on another day it may save you 90s.  It is next to impossible to quantify the exact amount of time you save because race conditions vary so much (wind, terrain, speed).

An even harder prediction is stretching that reward over the Ironman distance of 112 miles or 180km.  Again, I suggest it will save you anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes. 

I don’t think the exact amount of time matters.  As pointed out in the article, the important issue is the relative importance of what 1,2 or 5minutes means to the end result.  The author makes it relative to short course racing.  But what about long course?  I think you need to ask yourself this: 

1.  Is your goal a Kona spot or top 3 finish in your age group or an overall top 10 result?  If so, then adding aero wheels may give you a significant advantage that may mean placing 3rd instead of 4th, getting a spot or not.

2.  Is your goal realistic this season?

3.  Have you invested thousands of dollars in your race preparation and equipment (bike, training, coaching)?  In other words what percentage of money will the race wheels be in your overall budget.  If it is relatively small over a year, then why not invest a little more to ensure the result you are looking for.  Look at how much you have invested already.

4.  And most importantly, is the money in your bank account?  Remember to keep your life in perspective.  As competitors, it is easy to get carried away and blow our family vacation bucks on wheels?  Doesn’t really make sense does it?

SkM