ReUse - Innertubes

I don't know about you, but I have a special ability to lose hair bands like it's my job.  I can go through a pack in nothing flat.  A pack of hair bands from the store costs a couple of bucks and has more packaging than product.  A silly expenditure when I can make my own from old tubes. 

I like these ones better anyhow.  I have really fine hair so normal bands slip out, but these stay in place without tangling and puling out my hair.  

Here's what a half an old tube and a half hour in front of the tube will yield:

Time Trial Fantastico

I've been talking to my friend Josh about Time Trials and I've decided to try to put together a TT setup for my regular road bike.  What's that you say?  I'm so slow that it isn't really worth it?  Well you're right, I am slow, but the good people over at Cervelo have put together a presentation that explains why slow pokes like me actually get more benefit from aero equipment than the pros.  

To sum it up, a slow rider spends more time covering the same distance as a fast rider, so an increase in her speed is applied over a longer time span than the fast rider's.  To look at it another way, a time trial is raced in hours per mile rather than miles per ho

ur.  for a 25 mile course, a rider increasing their speed from 30 to 31 mph saves 1.61 minutes while a rider increasing their speed from 20 to 21 mph saves 3.57 minutes.  Now, aerodynamic advantages get more complex as speed increases, but the basic idea is that the slower you are, the more aero equipment you should buy.  Good enough for me.  

So, my goal is to put together a TT setup for under $150.  Here's what I've come up with.  (I've listed the cost and the estimated time savings over 25m.)

Aero Bars:  I already have the Profile Design T2+ clip on aero bars so I'm not counting them in the total, but they normally go for about $100.  They aren't the most comfortable since the bars are straight rather than bending up, but TT's are short enough that even I can tough it out.  Cost: $0  Time: 3min

TT Saddle:  I scored big time on this one.  I picked up a used Selle San Marco, in great condition, for $25 at The Recyclery.  I haven't tried it out yet, but anything will be better than just tipping my road saddle forward.  This will also allow me to have a proper position on the bike.  Cost: $25  Time: 2 min  Saving your delicate bits: Priceless 

Seat Post:  I should be able to find a used one for about $10

Rear Wheel Cover:  I'm looking at the CH Aero Wheel cover from Excel Sports.  I've heard that they work as well as a disk and, they're certainly more affordable than a real disc.  Cost: $60 Time: 1/2 min

Helmet:  After the front wheel and bars, this is supposed to be the most important piece of aero equipment.  Cost: $40 (ebay)  Time: 3/4 min.

Shoe Covers:  These look pretty cool, but I think I'm going to go the cheap-o route and just use socks.  Cost: $0 Time: 1/4 min

Total:  $135 & 6.5 minutes