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2016-04-20 12:42 PM

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Subject: No New Equipment on Race Day
I am about to purchase a new tri bike...what is the rule of thumb for how long to ride it before a race...have a HIM in 3 weeks.


2016-04-20 12:54 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day

I would say you are cutting it pretty close.  IME I could not have done it based on saddle alone. 

2016-04-20 1:01 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day

Assuming you are coming from a road bike w/ no prior TT/Tri bike time.  It takes a few rides for the neck to adjust to the aero position.  Your fit will probably take some settling into.  Handling is a bit different.  Sometimes you can have a knee problem or some other issue switching to a different setup/geometry.  I'd say if you can manage a couple race distance rides in the remaining time, and 2-3 shorter rides, and you don't have any issues, then you could probably pull it off.  But it is a tight timeline.  Good luck if you make the switch.

2016-04-20 1:02 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
When you say about to purchase, does that mean today...or this weekend? Is it your first HIM?
2016-04-20 1:05 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
So, this is my 4th HIM, been racing for 5 years with maybe 8 triathlons/year mostly Oly's. Going from a Felt to a Cervelo P2 that I'm looking to buy this weekend. I'd LIKE to use it at St George, but my gut is saying hold off.

Edited by Limewhite 2016-04-20 1:07 PM
2016-04-20 1:10 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
So I'm looking for feedback that says either ... "too tight don't do it", or "you're probably ok"

Edited by Limewhite 2016-04-20 1:10 PM


2016-04-20 1:13 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
Originally posted by Limewhite

So, this is my 4th HIM, been racing for 5 years with maybe 8 triathlons/year mostly Oly's. Going from a Felt to a Cervelo P2 that I'm looking to buy this weekend. I'd LIKE to use it at St George, but my gut is saying hold off.


A Felt what? If it is a felt tri bike and going to a P2, you will probably be ok with 3 weeks of riding it as long as everything feels good. If it's a road bike going to the P2, you should stick to the road bike for this event. The muscles for the 2 are a little different, so depending on your current position and the one your going to you may be slower on the P2.
2016-04-20 1:13 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
Originally posted by Limewhite

So, this is my 4th HIM, been racing for 5 years with maybe 8 triathlons/year mostly Oly's. Going from a Felt to a Cervelo P2 that I'm looking to buy this weekend. I'd LIKE to use it at St George, but my gut is saying hold off.


I would look at the fit coordinates and contact point of the two bikes and how different they are. I would also consider the importance of the race you are doing.

If the fit coordinates and contact points are identical, I would pick up a bike a week before the race, make sure everything is OK and use it. If my fit coordinates or contact points have changed it's a completely different story.

Same saddle ?
Same pads and bar shape ?
Same crank length ?
Same pad stack and reach ?

I have a bike arriving soon. My race is June 21st I think. If I get it by June 1st or so, for sure I will use it. But my fit, saddle, cranks and cockpit are the same.


2016-04-20 1:14 PM
in reply to: mike761

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
Sorry ... it is a Felt tri bike. I ride aero 95% of the time
2016-04-20 1:14 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day

Felt tri bike or road bike?  If it's one of their tri bikes, you can take measurements off of it and set up the new bike.  You shouldn't have a problem if that's the case.  If you're going from a road bike to a tri bike, I wouldn't feel comfortable racing without a good fit and some race distance rides.  Saddle and/or neck issues that don't bother you in a one hour effort can present themselves when you're riding 2.5-3 hours.

2016-04-20 1:29 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
Originally posted by Limewhite

Sorry ... it is a Felt tri bike. I ride aero 95% of the time


Ok with that I'm guessing the frame geometry is close( I ride a Felt and looked at P2's couple years back). I would give it 2 or 3 short rides and then get out for a 40 or 50 mile ride. Sounds like you have enough experience to know if it's feeling good or not at that point. You may want to consider having them move your saddle to the new bike?


2016-04-20 1:31 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day

Originally posted by Limewhite Sorry ... it is a Felt tri bike. I ride aero 95% of the time

Seems like you've got some time to get a few rides, and at least one long ride on it.  Given that you're already familiar with the aero position on your Felt, you should know pretty quickly if something feels off, especially if you can get at least one 3 hour ride on the P2.

2016-04-20 1:48 PM
in reply to: Jason N

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
Good feedback on the saddle, planned to have them put my current saddle on the P2. I could bring in my Felt and have them measure the geometry as well...also good feedback. Thanks. I'll make the final decision after a long ride.
2016-04-20 2:15 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
Is the Felt a tri bike?

Edit - NM. Sorry, for some reason I only saw some of the posts on this thread.

Edited by ejshowers 2016-04-20 2:27 PM
2016-04-21 3:02 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
I went through this last year. I did have three months instead of weeks. I opted to use the tri bike even though I was not as comfortable on it as I was my road bike. I did that based more on the course as anything else. It was relatively flat (only one real climb) and no technical turns. It worked out fine.

I asked a very similar question earlier this week for my first IM later this year, again based on the course. I am still trying to get comfortable on the descents. This bike picks up speed very quickly and I am still a bit uneasy on downhill's.

So I guess what I am suggesting is to look at the course and see what challenges it might present. You will know when you are comfortable on it enough to tackle the course in front of you. If you have a doubt, see if you can ride the course, or at least the challenging parts, before race day.
2016-04-21 4:33 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
I did it about 2 weeks before Oceanside. I wouldn't recommend it if this is your A race for the year or if you are shooting for a specific time/placing.

Oceanside was not my A race for the year. Also, I went from a 2014 Argon frame (e118) to the new 2016 (e119+), so not much changed with respect to the geometry of my bike. I kept the same saddle, pedals, shoes, etc. I wasn't as comfortable as I had been on my previous bike, but I wanted to race on it before my A race in 2 months. Plus, I was like a kid at Christmas...I just couldn't help myself


2016-04-21 6:29 PM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
Going from one tri bike to another, you are used to aero so should not be an issue. Especially if you have a chance to get fit and ride it a couple of times before hand to get used to the handling differences. Sounds like you have plenty of experience and this is not your first rodeo.

I ride mostly my old tri bike on the trainer and my mountain bike for 80% of training time and don't have an issue switching to my tri bike outside periodically. I even rented a mtn bike for an Xterra race in Germany with a 2+ hour bike leg, rode it once before the race and was ok. We typically overthink this.


How old are you too? If under 30, then your body probably won't even notice !
2016-04-22 9:49 AM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day

Originally posted by Limewhite I am about to purchase a new tri bike...what is the rule of thumb for how long to ride it before a race...have a HIM in 3 weeks.

My bike fitter (who also is a nationally competitive pro cyclist) said that some changes in your position equate to instant improvements but that other take about 100 miles of training to take effect.  He had some changes 2 weeks before a big national championship several months earlier and raced well.  

So...as a minimum you need to train 100 miles training on the new bike.  

If you need to gain flexibility or to loose weight to get into a new position on a new bike that is a whole other thing.  

 



Edited by BlueBoy26 2016-04-22 9:52 AM
2016-04-22 3:46 PM
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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
If stack and reach and saddle type are the same I wouldn't worry about it too much. 3 weeks should be plenty of time.

Edited by reecealan 2016-04-22 3:47 PM
2016-04-23 5:54 AM
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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
Originally posted by reecealan

If stack and reach and saddle type are the same I wouldn't worry about it too much. 3 weeks should be plenty of time.


I would also add to that if
a) seat height and type is the same
b) seat behind bottom bracket is the same
c) crank length is the same
d) pad width


If you look here

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/?username=Slowman
and go down to the bike fit manager (bottom) and you have all the coordinates (A-G) then you should be identical assuming same saddle type and crank length.

there are a few measures other than S&R to be considered.

Edited by marcag 2016-04-23 5:55 AM
2016-04-28 6:30 AM
in reply to: marcag

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day
When I got fitted, the measurements between my old and new bikes were nearly identical. Two 20 mile rides later and things feel good. I'm going to go for it and use the P2.


2016-04-28 6:51 AM
in reply to: Limewhite

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Subject: RE: No New Equipment on Race Day

Originally posted by Limewhite When I got fitted, the measurements between my old and new bikes were nearly identical. Two 20 mile rides later and things feel good. I'm going to go for it and use the P2.

I got a new bike about two weeks before IMTX in 2011.  Rode it one time for about 40 miles and then on race day.  It worked great.  It was also a completely new fit as I went from a Felt B2 (which I hated) to a Trek Speed Concept.  I worried about it but there was no way I wasn't riding the new bike.

2016-05-11 3:49 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: Update
Loved the P2 in St. George! No issues.
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