brick94513-GoGoGo Mentor Group - Closed For Now! (Page 18)

Upgrades from P3

Even better aerodynamics - Integrated brake, ICS2, dropped downtube, new seatstays, and integrated water bottle/storage unit (see below).

Integrated Water Bottle- The bottom bracket area is designed to accept a Cervelo water bottle without disrupting the airflow at all. For the few UCI races for which this Cervélo solution is considered too fast, the standard Elite aero bottle fits neatly in the same space.

Feature-Benefit-Experience

The bike industry loves to talk about features (tube shapes, materials, etc). But a feature is useless without a benefit! Ask yourself, would you prefer a poorly engineered frame made of “Ultra High Modulus carbon” (a feature)? Or an intelligently engineered frame that uses the material to create something lighter, stiffer and stronger (real benefits)? Even more than benefits, you want experiences. The aforementioned lightness & stiffness may be benefits, but what you really want is the experience of higher performance, through quicker acceleration and better climbing.

This is why Cervelo lists not only features, but also the accompanying benefits and experiences.

To recap:

Product Feature: “Which innovative shape, material or design solution was used on this frame?”

Technical Benefit: “What is the advantage of this shape, material or solution?”

Rider Experience: “How does this feature & benefit change my riding experience?” This usually involves experiencing higher performance or more comfort. Some features also offer an esthetic experience, and although we would never sacrifice performance or comfort for beauty, sometimes you can have it all.

Use the number bib belt.  You don't want to be messing with pins. 

Do you need the gloves?  I usually avoid them while racing.  Just extra stuff to don and remove.

Hydrate on the bike, not in transition.  Remember, this is the fourth discipline of triathlons.  You want to be in-and-out of there.

Also, same thing for the return to T2.  Consume the gel during at the end of the ride, finish hydrating, and give your quads a little break before transition by using your hamstrings to pedal the last few hundred yards.

Curt ... Looking to invest in some various equipment and would like some opinions on your favorites/what you use for the following:

Tri shorts OR Tri suit

I prefer a top and bottom, but comes down to personal preference.

Heart rate monitor

Garmin 305.

Wet suit (one piece or two + brand)

Definately one piece for me.  Most of my races are in 60 degree or less water, so I have a full suit.  Brand is a 2xU Velocity 3.  However, I considering buying a sleeveless one for when the water is just a little warmer.  I'll probably buy whatever I can get a good deal on.

Really intrigued by the HRM as I had one on for the first time this PM.  Interesting to see how the body responds to the speed / incline / intensity.  Personally, I need to figure out how to "get some more air" as I did not get tired or feel that my pulse was high (hit 168), I just could not feel like I was getting anything in to the lungs.

Training with HR is a valuable tool.  First, you need to establish your Lactate Threshold which then allows you to establish your HR Zones.  With the zones, you can run or cycle to a certain pace as determined by your HR.  As you become more fit, you will see your pace become faster with a lower corrsponding HR.  It's not about driving your HR up.  In fact, most of your running should be done in Zone 2, which is where slow-twitch (endurance) muscle development occurs.

When endurance racing, the HR monitor becomes valuable in a similar way.  I will use the monitor to make sure I limit my time in the anaerobic zones (5a, 5b, 5c).

That's a quick synopsis.  There is a lot of information out there.  This is an area that I am quite fond of though, so I hope I can answer any questions.