I'm going to buy a disc to use on my TT bike next season. I was wondering if a disc wheel cover would give a similar feel for training so I didn't have to beat up my disc? Thanks in advance :D

I'm going to buy a disc to use on my TT bike next season. I was wondering if a disc wheel cover would give a similar feel for training so I didn't have to beat up my disc? Thanks in advance :D

I'm going by my gut as opposed to actual experience since I've never used a cover and say no.

Reasons: Most true discs' sides are either flat or lenticular in shape whereas a cover would be at best and in most cases, an asymetrical conic.

Reasons: While most disc wheels are relatively heavy... adding a cover to most spoke'd wheels will add even more rotational weight.

Reasons: I don't actually train with the disc in most instances... rather, allowing for the training benefit from a relatively heavy workaday wheelset to add to the aero advantage afforded by a disc over flat to rolling terrain.

Just my thoughts. Train the motor.

Actually, wind tunnel tests show that a covered wheel is just as effective (and in some cases more) than a true disc.

Save your money and just buy the cover ;-)

Actually, wind tunnel tests show that a covered wheel is just as effective (and in some cases more) than a true disc.

Save your money and just buy the cover ;-)

Are there any other covers out there other than the ones at excel?

Actually, wind tunnel tests show that a covered wheel is just as effective (and in some cases more) than a true disc.

Save your money and just buy the cover ;-)

I'd like to see that data...

Are there any other covers out there other than the ones at excel?

Sure...you can make your own! See this:

http://www.cvccbike.com/misc/wheel_cover.html

and this:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=72500;page=1;sb= post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25

That's what I did...I covered an old 36 spoke wheel with heat shrink mylar. It's lighter than most discs and definitely more comfortable...been using it for 2 years now with no problems.

Are there any other covers out there other than the ones at excel?
In New England, there is a frame builder who also puts a shrink wrap onto a conventional wheel. Spinart is the company. The pro is that it is inexpensive. The con is that the spoke nipples are covered so if you have to true the wheel, you have to remove the cover - at least in places and put it back on. Still, most good wheels rarely, if ever, need to be trued so that should not be much of an issue.

I'd like to see that data...

No problem...it's just going to cost you around $15 though... ;)

http://www.biketechreview.com/tunnel_main.htm

In New England, there is a frame builder who also puts a shrink wrap onto a conventional wheel. Spinart is the company. The pro is that it is inexpensive. The con is that the spoke nipples are covered so if you have to true the wheel, you have to remove the cover - at least in places and put it back on. Still, most good wheels rarely, if ever, need to be trued so that should not be much of an issue.

Or...one could always just remove the tire and rim tape and access the nipples from the holes in the rim bed. Just true it with a screwdriver.

Uni, CH, Mylar, HED, Corima, Zipp and a few others I can't recall.

My quickest 40k ever, on a Quitanna Roo (650 wheels), Hed Jet front and Hed ultra light rear.

The next year, same course, old Nishiki Linear funny bike, no aero bar, spoked wheels, did the race "just for fun"...2 seconds slower than the previous year.

That data tells me that while I was fast (averaged 28mph TT, no drafting), I still wasn't fast enough to exploit the aerodynamics of the disc wheels.

I preferred the Uni covers above all other covers. They were lighter than the CH covers but not as durable. They were heavier than the mylar (J-disks) but more durable.

The Zipps "dimpled" disc was borrowed. It rode awesome, in my mind they seemed to do quilte well in cross winds, but were way too expensive.

My favorite is the HED ultra light. Bomb proof, reasonable price.

Search ebay for a while and find any colored Unidisk except white. Ride it for a while.
Don't do this until you take care of the front wheel first. That is where you get the bang for the bucks.

Then keep an eye out for a rear HED disc. I see them for 250 - 600 range. IMO, the best thing about a disc, is the sound they make over rough roads.

That data tells me that while I was fast (averaged 28mph TT, no drafting), I still wasn't fast enough to exploit the aerodynamics of the disc wheels.
Your data says no such thing. There is more than enough controlled test data to show whether the speed is 28, 18, or 38 mph the speed is fast enough to exploit the aerodynamics of a disk wheel.

That data tells me that while I was fast (averaged 28mph TT, no drafting), I still wasn't fast enough to exploit the aerodynamics of the disc wheels.

The only "data" you have is your times. Per asgelle, there is ample data showing that disc wheels help significantly at speeds much lower than 28 mph. The best aero wheels are good for 0.4 mph at 25 mph - that's nearly a minute per hour.

Hey bud, IIRC, wheel covers will be illegal in 2006 for all USCF races (not sure about tri's, though). So that's a no-go if you have a hard-a$$ USCF rep at the start line.

I've had one (a CH aero) and it worked REALLY WELL. Mr. Cervelo P3 with a full Zipp Armory got dusted, but hey, it's the engine and the right amt. of luck that counts. Only caveat is that when used on a non-box-section rim, they are hard to set up. That and the fact that there is no reinforcement of the holes where it fastens to the wheel - the fasteners look like chainring bolts, and with about 5x disassembly, start to tear at the plastic of the cover.

One more thing: last summer I set out to make a better, faster, stronger (just like Lee Majors, w/o 5,999,990 dollars) wheel cover and while looking up the patents (www.uspto.gov), ran into ones registered in the way-early 1900's. Food for thought.

Hey bud, IIRC, wheel covers will be illegal in 2006 for all USCF races (not sure about tri's, though). So that's a no-go if you have a hard-a$$ USCF rep at the start line.

That is incorrect - there has been no move to make wheel covers illegal for USCF racing in 2006. The 2004 USCF rule book said that UCI equipment rules (which forbid wheel covers) would come into force for USCF races starting in 2007, not 2006. However, that wording was eliminated from the 2005 rule book, and it is unclear if USCF will ever enforce UCI equipment rules. There is one exception: Rule 1Je says, "Bicycles must meet current UCI technical regulations at events that select 17-18, U23 and elite riders for international competition or national teams". Since most USCF racers don't compete internationally or on national teams, UCI equipment rules do not apply to them.

Of particular interest in the 2005 rule book are: Rule 1Jb - "There may be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle, which has the effect of reducing air resistance except that spoke covers may be used"; Rule 1jc - "Wheels may be made with spokes or solid construction. No wheel may contain special mechanisms to store and release energy."

There is no indication that wheel covers will be illegal for most USCF racing in the foreseeable future.

The 2004 USCF rule book said that UCI equipment rules (which forbid wheel covers) would come into force for USCF races starting in 2007, not 2006.

Of particular interest in the 2005 rule book are: Rule 1Jb - "There may be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle, which has the effect of reducing air resistance except that spoke covers may be used"; Rule 1jc - "Wheels may be made with spokes or solid construction. No wheel may contain special mechanisms to store and release energy."

There is no indication that wheel covers will be illegal for most USCF racing in the foreseeable future.

Well, I stand corrected. I must have gotten confused, because my design for a disc cover included turbos powered by kryptonite (increase your wattage! easier to use than both PowerCranks AND RotorCranks!), which clearly runs afoul of the latter part of your statement.

Well, I stand corrected. I must have gotten confused, because my design for a disc cover included turbos powered by kryptonite (increase your wattage! easier to use than both PowerCranks AND RotorCranks!), which clearly runs afoul of the latter part of your statement.

Well, obviously your wheel should be illegal. With the kryptonite power, you would be able to go around the earth's axis backwards at nearly the speed of light, so that you'd go back in time, allowing you to finish the race before the other competitors have even started. Clearly this is not in the spirit of the rules!