Placebo wheel size
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Placebo wheel size

4 Posts
5 Users
0 Reactions
40 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

It's a well known medical effect and apparently no one understands why it works. So could it be applied to bikes, if I'm given some new wheels and told they're 29 or 650b will I ride betterer even if they're 26"?


 
Posted : 22/05/2013 12:20 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Well no, you'd need to be blindfolded for the test to work – you volunteering?


 
Posted : 22/05/2013 12:23 pm
Posts: 8904
Free Member
 

I think he meant if you were told 'these wheels are faster' does it make you faster?
I'm telling myself my little wheels are lighter so must be faster.
I do like the idea of a proper 'double blind' trial though 😀


 
Posted : 22/05/2013 12:31 pm
Posts: 6203
Full Member
 

Without a proper test (and who would fund such a thing) we'll never know, but I'd bet a sizeable chunk of cash that most of the differences people feel on any bike would go away if they didn't know what they were riding.


 
Posted : 22/05/2013 12:41 pm
Posts: 27
Free Member
 

and who would fund such a thing

I'm prepared to pitch in with £1.83, if orangewinger rides Fort Bill blindfolded on a penny farthing after being told it is an Intense M6


 
Posted : 22/05/2013 12:44 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!