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First IM 70.3 on a road bike
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 2014-08-06 10:31 PM |
 224 |  Subject: First IM 70.3 on a road bikeI will be doing my first 70.3 in about 6 weeks and I'm pretty intimidated though my goal is to simply finish without incident. I own a road bike (no aerobars), trek Domane '13 and don't intend to get another bike before the race. For those who have done this distance (or greater) do you see many road bikes (and bikes without bars) at this distance? I obviously know I will be at a disadvantage due to the overwhelming number of tri bikes that will be racked alongside me (I'm typically one of the first to the racks after the swim smile at all the bikes on the rack but see those bikes racked when I get to T2 - so either these guys never made it out of the water or more likely they passed me on the road). I've considered aerobars simply for a new hand position but the choices are overwhelming (for a road bike I'm set up and was fitted fairly aggressively with a short stem, seat forward, and even have the handle bar to the lowest height below most of the spacers/risers) but at this point having trained without them and really not having my seat in a tru ri position I'm not sure what they would do for me now - or do people advise them? I'm thinking that all I want to do is get through this race without injury or incident and under the maximal cutoff for time. If I enjoy this distance (so far I enjoy sprint and Oly) I would then consider bars (possibly a system like RedShift) or a dedicated tribike if the spouse allows....does this make sense? Or should I consider bars (do you see many roadbikes without bars at this distance?) for this race? |
| 2014-08-06 10:46 PM in reply to: 0 |
Pro 15655   | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I did a HIM on a road bike and it's perfectly fine.(of course, I'm from a time when none of us had tri bikes) I passed some tri bikes and some tri bikes passed me......at the end of the day I was better off because that's what I had been riding and I was comfortable on it. If I were you, with 6 weeks to go, I'd train with what I was used to rather than worrying about a new set up. You'll be good. Edited by Left Brain 2014-08-06 10:47 PM |
| 2014-08-06 11:39 PM in reply to: gzh6464 |
Extreme Veteran 1704  Penticton, BC | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike So far I've finished two HIM on my road bike. I'm not especially fast but no one laughs at me and I have fun. I didn't pay attention to how many other people were riding road bikes but there were quite a few. Just go have fun. |
| 2014-08-07 6:06 AM in reply to: #5036152 |
| 89 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I finished Racine a few weeks ago on a Trek 1.1, which is the absolute entry level bike trek has... I wasn't even the only person there riding a 1.1. You'll be fine. |
| 2014-08-07 10:15 AM in reply to: #5036186 |
| 50 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike Both of mine were on a road bike Trek 2.1 (2007 model?) and my next one will be too. Focus on the rider, not the ride - you'll do just fine! |
| 2014-08-07 10:55 AM in reply to: Spartypants |
Regular 287 Levittown, PA | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I have my first HIM (Princeton) in about 6 weeks as well and I'll be on a road bike. In fact, I'm on a road bike thats probably a size or two too big for me. I just don't have the funds to get a better bike that fits right now. Make due with that you have. I have a forward leaning seat post to make the reach to the handle bars better and have some short aero bars. My bike is also about 10-15 years old. I'm not worried about other peoples bikes or whether I'll be one of only a few road bikes out there. Just go out and have fun. Good luck |
| 2014-08-07 11:00 AM in reply to: gzh6464 |
Elite 7783 PEI, Canada | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I saw lots of road bikes with no aerobars at both of my HIMs last year. Enjoy the race! |
| 2014-08-07 11:57 AM in reply to: 0 |
Veteran 335 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike Originally posted by gzh6464 I will be doing my first 70.3 in about 6 weeks and I'm pretty intimidated though my goal is to simply finish without incident. I own a road bike (no aerobars), trek Domane '13 and don't intend to get another bike before the race. For those who have done this distance (or greater) do you see many road bikes (and bikes without bars) at this distance? I obviously know I will be at a disadvantage due to the overwhelming number of tri bikes that will be racked alongside me (I'm typically one of the first to the racks after the swim smile at all the bikes on the rack but see those bikes racked when I get to T2 - so either these guys never made it out of the water or more likely they passed me on the road). I've considered aerobars simply for a new hand position but the choices are overwhelming (for a road bike I'm set up and was fitted fairly aggressively with a short stem, seat forward, and even have the handle bar to the lowest height below most of the spacers/risers) but at this point having trained without them and really not having my seat in a tru ri position I'm not sure what they would do for me now - or do people advise them? I'm thinking that all I want to do is get through this race without injury or incident and under the maximal cutoff for time. If I enjoy this distance (so far I enjoy sprint and Oly) I would then consider bars (possibly a system like RedShift) or a dedicated tribike if the spouse allows....does this make sense? Or should I consider bars (do you see many roadbikes without bars at this distance?) for this race? I did my first HIM on a road bike with ZERO problems and a 20.1 MPH average. (Profile Pic is from my race) I did all of my training with a road bike configuration; however I did try the aerobar thing and it did not work for me so I decided I did not have time to adapt and reverted to the basic road bike setup. There were all sorts of bike and abilities… I got past by Tribikes and road bikes… I past Tribikes and road bikes so just have a plan and stick to it. My plan was to get out of the water and on my bike in less than 1 hour. Check! Done and out on the bike course in 52 min. The Bike plan was to stay at a 20 MPH speed (flat course) so I slowed down a few times to make sure I could run off the bike. Finished the bike in 2:49 and then ran for home! You will be fine! Don’t get caught up in the equipment thing and just have fun!!! Edited by 1_Mad_Madone 2014-08-07 12:21 PM |
| 2014-08-07 1:38 PM in reply to: 1_Mad_Madone |
Member 2689 Denver, CO | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I'm really glad to see this thread. Due to hip and back issues, I can't even ride in the drops on my road bike right now so a tri bike is pretty much out of the question. That may change, but I doubt it. I'm doing my 1st tri in a week & a half, but planning to do a HIM in a few years - shooting for my 50th b-day in 5 years, and it might be sooner. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it unless I was on a tri bike. Good to know that I can manage with my road bike, even without aero bars. OP, thanks for the question, and everybody else, thanks for the reassurance. |
| 2014-08-07 3:57 PM in reply to: laffinrock |
Veteran 276 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I'm in the exact same situation as the OP. I just recently got some clip-on aerobars from the Classifieds here on BT and will be giving them a go soon. I've got a little longer before my race (9 weeks) and so I'm hoping to be pretty acclimated to them by then. Helps that it is a pretty flat course as well. However, I wouldn't have had any reservations about doing the whole thing in my basic road setup - it's your race, and as long as you are making the cutoffs then what equipment you use is completely up to you (within the rules, of course). Good luck in your race! |
| 2014-08-08 6:32 AM in reply to: laffinrock |
Veteran 335 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike Originally posted by laffinrock I'm really glad to see this thread. Due to hip and back issues, I can't even ride in the drops on my road bike right now so a tri bike is pretty much out of the question. That may change, but I doubt it. I'm doing my 1st tri in a week & a half, but planning to do a HIM in a few years - shooting for my 50th b-day in 5 years, and it might be sooner. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it unless I was on a tri bike. Good to know that I can manage with my road bike, even without aero bars. OP, thanks for the question, and everybody else, thanks for the reassurance. Little FYI, You will do great and the 50th Bday thing is perfect.. My 1st HIM (described in previous post) was my 50th Bday present and I would have to say it was the best yet! 51st may top it tho... IM Cozumel 2015... |
| 2014-08-08 10:50 AM in reply to: gzh6464 |
Veteran 267 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I'm doing my first HIM in about 6 weeks on an entry level Fuji road bike. No worries at all. |
| 2014-08-08 11:02 AM in reply to: randym95 |
Elite 3090 Spokane, WA | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike My only HIM and IM were done on a roadie with no aero bars. Road bikes are designed to handle long rides comfortably. |
| 2014-08-20 5:38 AM in reply to: spiderjunior |
| 224 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike Originally posted by spiderjunior I have my first HIM (Princeton) in about 6 weeks as well and I'll be on a road bike. In fact, I'm on a road bike thats probably a size or two too big for me. I just don't have the funds to get a better bike that fits right now. Make due with that you have. I have a forward leaning seat post to make the reach to the handle bars better and have some short aero bars. My bike is also about 10-15 years old. I'm not worried about other peoples bikes or whether I'll be one of only a few road bikes out there. Just go out and have fun. Good luck Princeton is also my first. |
| 2014-08-20 8:42 AM in reply to: Spartypants |
Regular 589 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike Originally posted by Spartypants Both of mine were on a road bike Trek 2.1 (2007 model?) and my next one will be too. Focus on the rider, not the ride - you'll do just fine! Yep! My road bike goes just as fast as I can pedal it. |
| 2014-08-20 8:59 AM in reply to: Swimbikeron |
| 5 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I ride an entry level Bianchi road bike and have Profile Design T3+ clip-on aero bars and absolutely love them. I put them on myself and the didn't change much from my road position other than sliding the seat forward some. I am much more comfortable in aero position now after about a month and can stay in aero for long period of time. The biggest adjustment will be you neck getting used to the position which will take a little time but 6 weeks is plenty enough to get used to is, even if you only race half the race in aero. |
| 2014-08-20 8:53 PM in reply to: LSUTiger_11 |
| 1055 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike The 2013 Domane is a beautiful bike. If you want to get yourself more aero, slam the stem, take a spacer or two out and ride the heck out of it (the lbs you bought it from should be willing to help you out with changing your fit to be more aggressive). Don't cheapen a beautiful road machine with clip on aerobars. |
| 2014-08-21 9:26 PM in reply to: ziggie204 |
| 224 | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike I have it set very aggressively. Down to the bottom of the spacers and a shorter stem than the original stem. |
| 2014-08-22 9:55 AM in reply to: gzh6464 |
Master 2725 Washington, DC Metro | Subject: RE: First IM 70.3 on a road bike Originally posted by gzh6464 I will be doing my first 70.3 in about 6 weeks and I'm pretty intimidated though my goal is to simply finish without incident. I own a road bike (no aerobars), trek Domane '13 and don't intend to get another bike before the race. For those who have done this distance (or greater) do you see many road bikes (and bikes without bars) at this distance? I obviously know I will be at a disadvantage due to the overwhelming number of tri bikes that will be racked alongside me (I'm typically one of the first to the racks after the swim smile at all the bikes on the rack but see those bikes racked when I get to T2 - so either these guys never made it out of the water or more likely they passed me on the road). I've considered aerobars simply for a new hand position but the choices are overwhelming (for a road bike I'm set up and was fitted fairly aggressively with a short stem, seat forward, and even have the handle bar to the lowest height below most of the spacers/risers) but at this point having trained without them and really not having my seat in a tru ri position I'm not sure what they would do for me now - or do people advise them? I'm thinking that all I want to do is get through this race without injury or incident and under the maximal cutoff for time. If I enjoy this distance (so far I enjoy sprint and Oly) I would then consider bars (possibly a system like RedShift) or a dedicated tribike if the spouse allows....does this make sense? Or should I consider bars (do you see many roadbikes without bars at this distance?) for this race? Would swear on my kid's life (if I had one), that this is no joke... In my first HIM on one section of road, I came up on and passed a guy on a mountain bike. Best part was in his back jersey pocket I saw a very familiar to me circular extrusion. So as I passed I said to him "gotta ask man, is that a tin of chew in your jersey" the reply "yup". To this day I don't know if I was more appalled or impressed! |
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