I didn't set up a mirror in front to see if less of my arms is visible from the front than with the bars a little further, but with the flared bars I rotated the brifters inboards a little to get my forearms out of the wind. This should decrease the frontal area but who knows since my arms were pretty straight. The end result is going to be more comfort focused instead of Wind Tunnel Optimized for pure speed.
Camelback makes a 2L full system for about $70US that I saw in the bike shop the other day, but since the backpacks have two large foam strips running down the side for comfort it kind of keeps the contact area to a minimum. I think Deuter calls them Air Strips. Once they got wet then the cold transferred decently, but this Athform bag doesn't have those foam strips on the inside, and there is no foam padding between the hydration bag and the thin mesh so I can imagine that it is going to have significantly more cooling affect. I was a bit concerned about the feeling of being compressed by the bag too, and when leaning up at stop lights it does contact my cycling computer but neither is really that prohibitive. I'll give it a test run today and try to get some pics as well.
As much as my head runs on about all things bike related, I didnt think of running clinchers as tubulars Don. Thanks for that. I've seen tubulars in my LBS here, but never really paid attention to them since it seemed that those are on the way out being replaced by tubeless. I will have to check prices next time. What I gains I might get in aerodynamic drag on the rims I might lose in getting a dependable tire that last long enough and doesn't get too many punctures. I don't know much about Xentis wheel's serviceability though, including the availability of bearings.
I had a DF with tubs for a year… I’d never do it again.. pain in the arse
I ran Tubs i.e. tubular and wouldn’t do it again
Don, I wrote a reply, and hit enter, but my Wifi was wonky and it never posted. I am not sure offhand what bearings Xentis uses but if they are the cassette style then it is quite simple to change them. I've changed the ball and cone bearings before on other wheels fairly easily but it took a bit of time since it was my first time. They are still rolling wonderfully after 3 years of everyday use and never touching them though. I am not sure about buying the Xentis or the HEDs from that site now though as there is no return policy if the seller isn't honest about the condition. If I can inspect them in person then I7d pay cash, but that doesn't seem possible.
