Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas : Official Thread (Page 10)
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Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Anyone rolling with a compact crank for the race? |
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
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New user ![]() | ![]() se7930 - 2013-03-13 10:30 AM Fmode11 - 2013-03-13 9:47 AM Anyone rolling with a compact crank for the race? Yes
What are the advantages? |
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Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Do you normally ride one or are you making a specific switch? |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Why roll a compact on a relatively flat course if you have the option? |
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Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() uhcoog - 2013-03-13 10:50 AM Why roll a compact on a relatively flat course if you have the option? I was at "Tri Night" at Luke's Locker in town last night and some folks were discussing the option. While relatively flat, through the forest there is a significant number of small hills that would require a lot of shifting on a normal crank set. I'm rolling a normal, and I would say I am an average cyclist at best. |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Fmode11 - 2013-03-13 10:54 AM uhcoog - 2013-03-13 10:50 AM Why roll a compact on a relatively flat course if you have the option? I was at "Tri Night" at Luke's Locker in town last night and some folks were discussing the option. While relatively flat, through the forest there is a significant number of small hills that would require a lot of shifting on a normal crank set. I'm rolling a normal, and I would say I am an average cyclist at best. I'm pretty average as well, ridden all the areas of the course at one point or another, and I really don't see a need to get out of the large ring. It's not like we're talking Lake Placid here or anything. The course is much closer to Florida than hilly. |
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Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I ride portions of the course all the time. I'm no pro but I never get out of the big ring with the exception of a few weeks ago when the wind was crazy strong. |
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New user ![]() | ![]() Speaking of gear (bad segway, I know), anyone planning on using a swim skin? If so, recommendations are appreciated. From what I've head the swim is very crowded so just wondering if it's worth the $$. |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() tforinash - 2013-03-13 12:00 PM Speaking of gear (bad segway, I know), anyone planning on using a swim skin? If so, recommendations are appreciated. From what I've head the swim is very crowded so just wondering if it's worth the $$. It's on my list of wants before race day. We'll see if the money shows up to make it happen. Most of the folks I know have the Tyr Torque or Blue Seventy PZ3TX. Both get excellent reviews from my friends. |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Also running a compact. Now i'm debating whether to run the HED 60's or the 60/Disc option? |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() tallytom - 2013-03-13 3:37 PM Also running a compact. Now i'm debating whether to run the HED 60's or the 60/Disc option? I don't recall hearing anyone who ran a disc last year complain about the wind if that is your concern. |
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Fmode11 - 2013-03-13 10:47 AMDo you normally ride one or are you making a specific switch? I normally ride a compact ... Edited by se7930 2013-03-13 5:49 PM |
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I raced both years and dont remember ever switching out the big ring and never got close to spinning out. its a 52/38 if that makes any difference. Dont really have a choice short of buy a new crankset. it was on the bike when I bought it and I havent had any issues with spinning out on it. As others have said, Im certainly not the fastest guy out there but I hold my own I used a TYR Torque Pro last year. Definitely feel like it helped. If anything it keeps everything all nice and tight so you streamline better. Also, ran a disc cover both years with no issues. if you got it, use it. I just hope I have a better run than I had the first 2 years. Third times a charm! Whats everyone running hydration wise? I have a torpedo bottle up front but cant decide if I should go with an xlab single bottle wing or just keep the one on the seat post |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Running a torpedo up front and a Xlab mini wing off the back. |
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Extreme Veteran![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Looking at getting a swim skin, not sure of the brand/model yet although will check out what you mentioned.. There was someone who did a review on ST of a few of them with a pretty good write up. As for nutrition, Infinit in the aero bottle and one behind the seat with room for a water to put in on the first or 2nd aid stations.. need to drink more water this year vs. at IMFL, was ok on the bike but was getting really tired of Infinit... |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() dbrawders - 2013-03-13 7:34 PM Looking at getting a swim skin, not sure of the brand/model yet although will check out what you mentioned.. There was someone who did a review on ST of a few of them with a pretty good write up. As for nutrition, Infinit in the aero bottle and one behind the seat with room for a water to put in on the first or 2nd aid stations.. need to drink more water this year vs. at IMFL, was ok on the bike but was getting really tired of Infinit...
This is why I won't use the same thing for hydration and all my nutrition. It just gets stale. I'd prefer to deal with Perform, bars, and gels to get my nutrition in. |
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Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() tallytom - 2013-03-13 3:37 PM Also running a compact. Now i'm debating whether to run the HED 60's or the 60/Disc option? Run a disc. You will thank yourself on the way back to the Woodlands. It will be a slight struggle on the front 30/40 miles or so but it's quite open through 50-90 mile section. |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Was leaning towards the disc, gonna give it a run next weekend in my HIM prep race. I've used it before in a couple halfs w some wind and no probs. Didn't use it last year at St. George. As far as hydration. I am using my old fashioned unslightly Aero Bottle up front w EFS. I am a heavy sweater and do best if I'm hydrated very well. With the aero bottle it keeps me "honest" by having the straw right at my chin. I'll have a throw away water bottle to chase w gels on the downtube. I have another bottle of EFS behind the seat and then switch out to Perform after that's gone. Been looking at the Swim skins as well. Any recommended online retailers to get one (cheapest, discounts, etc). Alright done typing, got to get ready for the 1h15 run and later my painfully boring 3500 straight swim. Tom |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Basically what Tallytom just said. I'll run my PT rear wheel with a disc cover, buying a new front, 60ish or so. Going to try the torpedo mount over the next few weeks, but love my aero straw and the no hassle drinking. One behind the seat. First go at living off the course in 6 years in the sport. Excited.....Speaking of excited, getting set to move and decided to sell all kinds of stuff to buy a new ride. Should be picking up a new P3 next week. First time I'll be buying the something this new and exciting. After 6 IMs, I figure I'm here to stay.Didn't use a swim skin last year, will this year. Still looking. Marathon this weekend, then I need to get on the bike, after I get it of course. |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Why don't smart phones keep my paragraph formatting? Last post looks like a crazy person. |
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Member![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I'm a big proponent of "nothing new on race day"...so am I crazy to think about renting wheels for the race (since I would have just that weekend to have them in my possession)? My only other option is the wheels that I train on (which are the wheels that came with the P2 and what I assumed I'd be racing on). Eventually, I expect I'll splurge and get some race wheels, but that's not in the cards between now and race day. Any thoughts on doing this? |
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Member![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() As for hydration... I have a torpedo up front and a bottle on the frame. This has so far has worked well for me because I don't have to think about how much I've actually consumed. I'm a heavy sweater and know that I'm doing what I need to if I switch out a bottle at about every aid station. I plan on mostly living off the course. I've been training with items on the course and seem to be in minority about actually liking Perform. I'll also have a few cut up HS Waffles in my bento. |
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Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() The IM-TX course is ideal for whatever race wheels you have. If you have a disc or wheel cover, use it. Hills really are not an issue on this course....its all about the aerodynamics. Also, remember that winds are typically much stronger on this course in March and April than they are in late May and the winds usually build later in the day. Last year, one of the local groups did a supported course ride in April on what had to have been one of the windiest days of the year. Conditions were absolutely brutal, but race day was pretty calm and MUCH easier than what they experienced. I ride most of the course almost every weekend, and use a compact crank. Apparently I'm the exception, because I tend to use both my small and large chain ring, depending on how I feel and what the winds are like. With that being said, I don't think there's a natural advantage on this course for a standard or compact. Either will work just fine and very few riders will run out of gears, either on the top end of bottom end, with either type of crank. Lot's of people go the rented race wheel route. My concerns with this would be your level of comfort handling the bike on a windy day, if it turns out to be windy, and your comfort level with tire changes, if you get something that need valve extenders. Keep in mind that race wheels are going to save you a few minutes. Edited by g_shotts 2013-03-14 10:22 AM |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Swim skins are great if you plan to wear your race top in the swim. It really helps eliminate the drag your race outfit can create. I raced in the TYR Torque 2 years ago and will wear it it again this year. As for compact cranks, there are no major climbs that would require even a bike novice to need a compact crank. If that is what you feel comfortable with then go with it. However, that gains you might get on a few rollers will not out weight the speed you will lose on downhills and tailwinds. |
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