swbkrun mentor group 6 years running closed (Page 111)

Ok, that makes sense. I'd go with a true compact crank 50/34 vs. the new mid-compact which you can get in different configurations.

Then I'd get either a 11-27 or 12-27 for the rear cassette.

There are aero chainrings which basically have the holes filled in vs a normal chainring that has the open spaces (weighs less) but no such thing as a tri-bike crankset.

Thanks.  I've learned the hard way, better to ask the stupid questions ahead of time.

Ok, that makes sense. I'd go with a true compact crank 50/34 vs. the new mid-compact which you can get in different configurations.

Then I'd get either a 11-27 or 12-27 for the rear cassette.

There are aero chainrings which basically have the holes filled in vs a normal chainring that has the open spaces (weighs less) but no such thing as a tri-bike crankset.

Can't she get 170 crank arms w/o changing any of the cassettes if need be? My tri bike came with 172.5 crank arms, which my fitter eventually pinpointed to some knee pain I was having. I was able to move to 170cm w/o any other changes. I have since put a compact 50/34 on the same bike (also 170cm), but that was a different move.

Now maybe you want to do some cassette tweaking as well -- are you comfortable on the terrain you ride? Do you wish you had more "granny" gears or are you good?

Can't she get 170 crank arms w/o changing any of the cassettes if need be? My tri bike came with 172.5 crank arms, which my fitter eventually pinpointed to some knee pain I was having. I was able to move to 170cm w/o any other changes. I have since put a compact 50/34 on the same bike (also 170cm), but that was a different move.

Now maybe you want to do some cassette tweaking as well -- are you comfortable on the terrain you ride? Do you wish you had more "granny" gears or are you good?

Popping in on this bike question.  My advice is talk to your fitter.  I do not have a compact and when I talked to my coach about it he told me I didn't need it.  I have a 53/39 and an 11/28 and think it works well for MOO.    I rode for a long time with an 12/27, but switched to get the 11 more than the 28.  Makes doing low RPM high HR work more worthwhile.

Off I go!

Popping in on this bike question.  My advice is talk to your fitter.  I do not have a compact and when I talked to my coach about it he told me I didn't need it.  I have a 53/39 and an 11/28 and think it works well for MOO.    I rode for a long time with an 12/27, but switched to get the 11 more than the 28.  Makes doing low RPM high HR work more worthwhile.

Off I go!

I'm not sure if you can with shimano, but I could be wrong.

Though if you're buying new crank arms, the whole crank itself shouldn't be much more expensive, and if you're going to buy the whole crank, I would suggest moving to a compact.

In my opinion they're the best thing for the majority of us on bikes.  You'll be wishing for more gears going up hills than you do going down them, so why not have more designed for going up?

This is especially true in tri's where you're trying to keep it even as possible going up hill vs trying to explode up every hill.

I'm curious why he said you didn't need a compact.  When climbing in tri's you don't want to spike your hr or watts if you can help it so more climbing gears would seem to be able to help with that.  Some people seem to think that a compact is a whimpy choice but to me it just makes more sense.

On he cassette I agree, I prefer the 11 but for me it's for super fast pacelines and descents, it's amazing how much of a difference that makes.

Christina,  whatever you do, do it now.  I think making changes with only 8 weeks to go is ok, but anything later seems risky to me.  I put on the 11-28 about 10 weeks before IM which is probably NOT a big deal.  No idea whether the crank change is big or little on the body.

and since we're talking bikes.. here's an expert tip... even if you ride the trainer for most of your rides you still need to take care of your bike.  because one day you might get on it and it will make funny sounds.  and you can't figure out why its making those sounds so you will tweak the barrel adjuster and think everything is aok.  but then it will still make noise.  but you wont care because you are a badass and will crank away.  but then you will notice something as you crank away... your chain is brown.  and then you will think, i didn't buy a brown chain.  and then you will stop cranking away to take a closer look at your chain.  and then you will realize its rust.

so take care of your damn bike.

shut up tony.  and dino.  and ryan.

Sweat?

and since we're talking bikes.. here's an expert tip... even if you ride the trainer for most of your rides you still need learn how to take care of your bike.  because one day you might get on it and be in the middle of a HIM and it will make a loud funny (actually scary) sounds.  and you can't figure out why its making those made that sounds so you will look down to make sure your tire isn't flat or that something didn't fall off your bike tweak the barrel adjuster and think everything is aok.  but then it will still make noise.  but you wont care because you are a badass and will crank away.  But then you will gradually notice that you were easily putting out 80% power with matching heart rate and now you cannot bring that power up above 70% no matter how high your heart rate goes. And people are passing you like you are standing still.  It will take you another 25 miles to stop and try to figure out why the tire doesn't look centered but then you will notice something as you crank away... your chain is brown.  Your f'ing spoke is broken and you don't know how to fix a spoke that is completely snapped in half and the wheel is out of true, and then you will think, i have been riding like this for 25 miles and now you have to ascend Chalk Hill and there is no SAG in sight and you are not going to let this ruin your race.   didn't buy a brown chain.  and then you will stop cranking away to take a closer look at your chain.  and then you will realize its rust.  

So you will keep going and try to stay positive, but you will think, damn, if I had stopped when I first heard that noise, might I have flagged down the SAG support, did I see SAG along the way???  

so, learn how to take care of your damn bike.

shut up Wish I were as smart as tony.  and dino.  and ryan.

Ok, back to writing my long RR.  

Thanks, John, I didn't know how to paraphrase that little story.  Too bad it really happened.  Sorry about your rusty chain.  

i love it!!! the edits.. not what actually happened. 

at least it didn't happen at mile 75 of an ironman!!!!!  i can still, to this day, picture in my head clear as day when my spoke popped at texas.  it was a loud bang and i had no idea what it was.  and i don't ride with a power meter or even hr at the time but i remember thinking damn, i'm mgoing slow!!!!

lol, i heard you busted it at mile 15. i didn't know you kept riding the damn thing for 25 miles... hahaha you truly are a badass, kim. 

I won't get into my opinion on compact cranks, but I will say that the compact crank is probably not a timing issue except to really learn what gear ratios you actually have after a switch, but the the crank arm length could be.  It can have an effect on knees, ankles, hips, etc.  because you are actually changing the circumference of your pedal stroke.  I believe you were talking about going 2.5mm smaller crank arms, which actually makes your pedal circle 5mm smaller, may not seem like much until you do it at 90 RPM for 112 miles......        

Hilarious you two!  Sorry Kim that I am laughing at your pain

Suzy - "shi@load of power for my size" - couldn't have been said better!  My opinion on compact cranks is if you are running out of gears, you need to fix it.  If not, stay with your setup.  

Shifting gears here and writing my marathon training plan.  Really need to change the diet to maintain current weight.  Appetite is still out of control even though my training volume is low.  Would like to drop a few more lbs before next "A" race.

With everyone's volume ramped up, what is your FAVORITE current weekly workout?  I am switching to a run focus but find I am missing morning swims.  One hour at 5 am - love it!

I know!  I'm freaking out a little but in recent weeks my rt knee has gotten a little sore.  Hoping this will help since its what I've been fit to.

Dino- Despite you adding to my anxiety with that last statement, ditto John.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on compacts.  A purchase has been made but it's not on yet.