Yes, I completed my Half Ironman this weekend, but writing about that will take a little more time. In the meantime, I wanted to share this article published by J Groves in the NIH.
I would normally summarize the article, but really, the abstract is enough. I italicized the most relevant sentence:
Objective To determine whether the author’s 20.9 lb (9.5 kg) carbon frame bicycle reduced commuting time compared with his 29.75 lb (13.5 kg) steel frame bicycle.
Design Randomized trial.
Setting Sheffield and Chesterfield, United Kingdom, between mid-January 2010 and mid-July 2010.
Participants One consultant in anesthesia and intensive care.
Main outcome measure Total time to complete the 27 mile (43.5 kilometer) journey from Sheffield to Chesterfield Royal Hospital and back.
Results The total distance traveled on the steel frame bicycle during the study period was 809 miles (1302 km) and on the carbon frame bicycle was 711 miles (1144 km). The difference in the mean journey time between the steel and carbon bicycles was 00:00:32 (hr:min:sec; 95% CI –00:03:34 to 00:02:30; P=0.72).
Conclusions A lighter bicycle did not lead to a detectable difference in commuting time. Cyclists may find it more cost effective to reduce their own weight rather than to purchase a lighter bicycle.
I think we can all take some advice away from this for our personal lives... steel bikes are awesome and anyone can get published in the U.K.
I would normally summarize the article, but really, the abstract is enough. I italicized the most relevant sentence:
Objective To determine whether the author’s 20.9 lb (9.5 kg) carbon frame bicycle reduced commuting time compared with his 29.75 lb (13.5 kg) steel frame bicycle.
Design Randomized trial.
Setting Sheffield and Chesterfield, United Kingdom, between mid-January 2010 and mid-July 2010.
Participants One consultant in anesthesia and intensive care.
Main outcome measure Total time to complete the 27 mile (43.5 kilometer) journey from Sheffield to Chesterfield Royal Hospital and back.
Results The total distance traveled on the steel frame bicycle during the study period was 809 miles (1302 km) and on the carbon frame bicycle was 711 miles (1144 km). The difference in the mean journey time between the steel and carbon bicycles was 00:00:32 (hr:min:sec; 95% CI –00:03:34 to 00:02:30; P=0.72).
Conclusions A lighter bicycle did not lead to a detectable difference in commuting time. Cyclists may find it more cost effective to reduce their own weight rather than to purchase a lighter bicycle.
I think we can all take some advice away from this for our personal lives... steel bikes are awesome and anyone can get published in the U.K.
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