Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?

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2009-09-19 11:36 AM


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Subject: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
Participating in the Kirkland Sprint Tri 9/20, and want to improve my transistion times.  I was told socks aren't needed, but worry about not wearing bike gloves.  

Any recommendations?

2009-09-19 11:56 AM
in reply to: #2415151

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
If you ride a Tri bike, I'd skip the gloves. I don't have any experience with road bikes, so I don't know if you'd need them or not. I imagine that for the 30minute-1hr ride you could probably get away without them.
 As for socks, if you think you need them, roll them up so that you can just slide them up over your feet like you would a condom. It works really well, even when your feet are wet.

Good luck, have fun.
2009-09-19 12:14 PM
in reply to: #2415151

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Modesto, California
Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
Sock's and no gloves,you dont want to go sockless unless you have trained that way, its way too easy to blister. Gloves are more for ergonomics, dont need them for a sprint.

Simple things are the hardest to remember-
run shoes untied
bike shoes unbuckled
helmet unbuckled
race belt unbuckled
sunglasses open

Stack everything in the order you will put it on, in sequence

sunscreen and bodyglide first thing
then check over your bike1.air tires2.check brakes are not catching3.get in the right gear for exiting
2009-09-19 12:53 PM
in reply to: #2415151

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
Socks or gloves in a sprint cost you time.

If going sockless, make sure to put some kind of powder in your shoes to help avoid blistering.  I use Blister Shield and it works great.

Gloves provide some added comfort when riding, but they are mostly to protect your hands in a crash - so don't crash! Wink

If you want to save a little more time, try something like Yankz.  They replace your shoe laces.  But you don't want your race to be the first time you run with Yankz.  They take a little getting used to and some trial and error on how tight you need them.
2009-09-19 1:17 PM
in reply to: #2415151

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Expert
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?

No to both

2009-09-19 1:43 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
I would take a ride without socks to see how bad it is for your feet/shoes.  I did an IM with no gloves, shouldnt be a problem for a sprint at all.  Socks or no is personal, but my feet needed no adjustment in my current bike shoes to going sockless.  I have not yet done the run sockless, maybe in time as I get faster and that 1 minute matters to me.

2009-09-19 3:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
No for gloves and yes for socks unless you have trained to run without socks.
2009-09-19 3:46 PM
in reply to: #2415351

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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
KathyG - 2009-09-19 1:40 PM No for gloves and yes for socks unless you have trained to run without socks.


X2.
2009-09-19 4:34 PM
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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
I never wear socks on the bike...the shoes don't rub like they do while running and it's never even created a hot spot. I usually wear socks over 5k on the run.

I wear gloves every time I ride...to train. As mentioned earlier, more for protection in a crash. On race day, I didn't wear mine and I didn't miss them.
2009-09-19 4:57 PM
in reply to: #2415351

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
KathyG - 2009-09-19 4:40 PM No for gloves and yes for socks unless you have trained to run without socks.


Yup.

I still can't figure out a reason to ride with gloves if you're on aerobars. In fact, the guys from the MIT cycling team were able to measure an aerodynamic benefit to NOT wearing gloves.
2009-09-19 5:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
Well before you consider skipping the gloves and socks, although it is a remote chance, check the weather, Kirkland maybe a little chilly.  My 2nd sprint race in Oregon (mid April) was at 33 degrees and snow/sleet falling (yes that was a hoot).
Gloves, pants, face mask, etc were basically required and you weren't really concerned about speed since everyone else was doing the same.

If the weather is warm enough, like >50 degrees, no issues without gloves.  As most races are in warm climates.
Socks, matter of foot toughness and preferance.

2009-09-19 7:14 PM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
I wear gloves for longer distances because otherwise my left hand goes numb. (30 miles or more). I always wear socks because when I tried to run without them, I got blisters. (I get blisters in my regular shoes if I go without socks, too.)
2009-09-19 9:55 PM
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Science Nerd
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
I don't wear gloves during tris, especially for sprints.  They are short enough that it's not worth the hassle of getting them on while wet.  I do wear socks for the run because I get blisters without them.
2009-09-20 6:29 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
Gloves..I don't own a pair, socks.. I would not think fo running or cycling without them. just see thatthe pair you have goes on easy. I have one set that is real tight, and another that takes seconds to put on. Rather spend the extra 30 sec in T1 and make sure you are comfy. I find that with most things the moment I am not comfy..bikefit, shoes, whatever..my times are slower. Comfy = faster
2009-09-20 6:32 AM
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Master
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Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
you don't need either for a sprint. You'll survive! And you'll save possibly 20 seconds. For some, that can mean the difference between a podium spot or not!
2009-09-20 6:41 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?
KathyG - 2009-09-19 4:40 PM No for gloves and yes for socks unless you have trained to run without socks.


X4!

I only wear gloves for training, and that's mostly in case I wreck there will be less gravel to dig out of my body.  Only go sockless if you've trained without them.

Triathlon 101 - Never use a clothing or equipment combination in a race that you haven't used in training.

2009-09-20 5:19 PM
in reply to: #2415211


2

Subject: RE: Bike Gloves and Socks for Sprint Tris?

Lots of good advice, appreciate the responses.

I sprinkled talcum powder in the bike and run shoes last night while prepping for the race.  I had socks and gloves with me, but, being in one of the last heats to start, I noticed some  people heading out on bikes without socks and gloves and followed their lead.

I'd ridden the bike and run once without socks a couple weeks ago, and no blisters.  No blisters today either - maybe the cool 50s temp helped.  Also bought a Tri top and wore that under the wet suit to avoid putting a dry shirt on while wet.

End result - T1 dropped from 3:42 last year to 2:00 this year.  T2 stayed the same as last year, I'll have to look into Yankz.

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