Scott's Mentor Group-Closed for training. (Page 20)

West Windsor, NJ. I am looking for something after the Philly Tri in June at Olympic distance. 

- David

Not anymore.

Got up at 5 AM for a 40 mile ride this morning and turned it into a brick with a 4 mile run after. Both water bottles fell off the bike so I got no water in until my transition at home and started cramping like crazy but that was a fun workout. 

-  David

Awesome workout, Dave! Nicely done!

I got my run in today! So happy I didn't skip again this week!

Afternoon All, this is race report.....

Well, after much nervous tension and anxiety, which was compounded as we got to the venue and saw all these high tech bikes that the other competitors had (me and my brother with mountain bikes), we finally had to get going.

The swim was an open water swim (very very cold, 12 degrees), 750 metre swim, my split for this was 17 min 33 seconds, with 1m 51 sec in transition.

Got my bike out, and set off (got told off for trying to get on bike before allowed), and headed out on the 30k ride, an out and back ride with hills at the beginning and end, really pushed this hard (overtaking a few on road bikes). Completed this in 58 min 37 seconds, T2 was 28 sec, remarkably I was the 4th quickest out of the 300 entrants!!!)

When I started running, my legs felt that they had bags of concrete strapped to them, the run felt very very slow, and I was feeling a bit disappointed as we were going along. Time for the run was 28 mins (2 mins slower than my quickest 5k run), I was very happy with that time as it didn't feel that I was going that pace.

Total time was 1 hour 46 mins 30 seconds, my aim was to get in around 2 hours / 2.15 hours, so am absolutely delighted with my time!!!

Took on board the advice, had fun, said thanks to the people giving support and the marshalls giving directions and REALLY REALLY had FUN!!!!

Placed 142 out of 300!!!

Have started looking on the internet for the next race - and have told my wife that we may be going bike shopping shortly!!

Hope everybody else had as much as I did this weekend

Forgot to add.....

My goal when I undertook the challenge, was not to come last!!! And I certainly didn't!!

Gareth

Great job, Gareth! Thanks for the report!

Scott-Can't wait to read yours!

This is my bike-it's not fancy but it's the nicest bike I've owned and it gets the job done. I bought it a few years ago (2008) to my mother's dismay as I had only a blow-up mattress and an office chair I inherited from my grandfather for living room furniture. She thought I should get a couch.

I know very little about what makes a bike good. I know a tri bike allows you to get into a more aerodynamic position but am unclear as to why it "saves your legs" for the run. I think I read somewhere that the effect was overrated. I would love to know what you guys think. So in the attempt to start a bike discussion (good timing for Gareth)-show me your ride and tell what makes it good and also what you'd like to have.

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Hi Nicole

Not worth posting a picture of the specifications of my bike, it is just a standard mountain bike, with road tyres added (seriously glad I did that bit)

What would I like - well a very open question...... A new bike!!! I like you are very nieve when it comes to road bikes, but seriously, would have preferred something that made a difference to my legs in readiness for the run.... they felt so heavy yesterday, heavier than throughout all my training

So, I think that this is a very good time to start a bike discussion, as it will benefit me too!!!

Can we also include best budget bikes, what could we spend to do the same job as a £6,000 bike (the guy I parked next to yesterday, his bike was £6,000), but which also offers a bike that a novice could use for a couple of years without needing to reupgrade.

Big ask I know

Cheers

Gareth,

Good job on your race. I know it was thrilling to cross the finish line.

Gareth, £ 6000 ($10K) is A LOT to spend on a bike. You can get a good tri bike for £ 1000 and a VERY nice bike for £ 2000. A big difference you'll see in the price ranges are the components. When I buy things like this, I always use the same philosophy- I don't want the cheapest but the best is too much. Find something in the middle. I like Giant bikes. I can go down to my LBS and buy a nice Giant tri bike for $998 right (£ 630) now b/c it is on sale. I like Shimano components. Again, there are several levels of quality. Go with the middle.

 Here is a pic of my steed. She is an 06, sora componets. She is gettin old but can still get me through. I hate to replace her but I could do it!

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Scott,

Good job on your race. Give me the full report and quit screwin' around! I want details!

Good morning all!

I'm taking a full rest day today and am sworn off the bike and out of the pool this week so I can actually taper for this marathon thing I've got scheduled. Did an easy 12 miles yesterday on fatigued legs from Saturday's ride and told myself I need fresher legs than that for next Sunday.  The ankle held up, but was noticeable throughout. I did k-tape it, and I think that I'll do so for the marathon as well.

****

Gareth - AMAZING race!!  Way to school the field on your mountain bike. I shudder to think what you'll do on a road or tri bike.

Scott - Hot day out there for a race. VERY solid showing!!

Niclole - I bought a road bike last year at about this time. A 2011 Giant Defy. I've added aero bars to it and will take a picture sometime this week ... I don't have a good picture of it here on my work computer. I'd love a tri bike in addition to this one and hope to be able to save for one prior to IronMan Lake Placid 2013 ... but I haven't actually tried any, so I'm not sure what would fit best. I've been pleased with my Giant. 

Hi Ashley, 

Which Giant Tri bike can be had for that price? I havent managed to find a true tri bike for under $3,000.

- David Colman

Nicole - I went through the same thing list year and ended up spending $1,000 on a Cannondale CAAD 8 with 105 components. Based on input from my cycling friends I followed the same philosophy Ashley did and purchased what I considered to be the best price for a quality mid-level bike. The only issue is that after riding for a season I am now tempted to spend serious money on upgrading.

- David Colman 

Hey Everyone,

Congratulations Gareth! Fantastic results! And our fearless leader appears to have in fact "crushed the dreams" of all but 6!

Made the trip up to NY/CT and since I was missing out on the triathlon I forced my relative to do a ride with me. He's more of a mountain bike guy and has an extra, we've ridden before. However, I've been training like crazy this time and he has not. He made me pull up at 10 miles so he could head in. I kept going for another 5 and then dropped off the bike and made it a brick with a nice 5 mile run. I couldn't get over how much harder I had to work to get the big ol' mountain bike tires to move! I was definitely missing my road bike. Then I was able to get in a 10K on Sunday morning, so other than another bike ride I didn't miss any training, which made me very happy.

To answer Nicole's question, I have a 2011 Trek 1.5 that I just got in March. I went with the advice of friends that know much much more than I do about bikes and they said the same thing that Ashley and others have mentioned, middle of the road when you are a newbie. I was also told to pay close attention to the components as this is where you want to spend your real money. They make the world of difference. You have to decide which frame is best for you and your wallet(I wasn't looking for all Carbon for my first serious road bike). Mine is a compact, so I only have 2 rings in the front, where you can get the 3 ring setup in the front. I was told at my LBS that with the hills in our area the compact would be more than enough for me, especially since it's my first serious road bike. They warned me if I decide to go riding where the hills get more serious (WV in our area) it could be an issue and I may be looking for more. But I have no intention to do that at this time.

I don't have an actual picture of my bike(and I'm being lazy and not going to take one right now ) So here's a shot of it from online:

Here's a photo of my (well it's on loan from a friend so the price was right) Cannondale R400.  It's about 8 years old and only had about 400 miles on it when a received it.  I added the areo bars. It has old components but meets my need for now.  

I've had my eyes on either a Felt or a Kestral.  Both can be found for around $2,000 and have descent components.  I feel that Shimano 105 is probably adequate for me.  The Nytro store that advertises on this site is about an hour drive from my house and sell both brands as well as many others.

I did manage to squeeze in a mountain bike ride on Saturday but that was it due to my son's soccer tournament.  I hope to hit the pool at lunch and then I leave this afternoon for another business trip so I'll take my running shoes and try to get some more short build up runs in.

Have a great week.

??????

Hey guys just checking in - surgery tomorrow (I am so anxious I am jumping out of my skin) ... all this talk of bikes is making my head spin - I missed the Gran Fondo NY yesterday - but I did go to the expo and get all my gear on Friday - I figured I paid for it so I might as well get all my stuff since I trained almost 2000 miles in preparation for a race I did not do (ugh) ... once I am fixed (getting the erecror set put in to repair my clavcle - they say recovery for me will be much faster with surgery - and potentially not happen and I would need surgery anyway if I oped not to cut now) ... I am sutting and hoping to be able to get back into training in 6 weeks.  My goal with diet is to get stricter and to walk, walk, walk until I can do other things ... as soon as I can sit straight I have a bike on the trainer.

Regarding bikes - I have not taken mine to be evaluated but I don't see any damage - flat rear tire, leaves in my rear gears, and my saddle is loose ... no apparant physical damage - guess I bore the brunt of it.  My road bike (the one I crashed) is more "valuable" than my TT bike but that said my 1982 Univega I was able to get to speeds on climbs and flats almost as fast as these two - and that was before I knew what I was doing (despite the crash I think I know what I am doing now - even if it is wrong - again the crash) ... push cadence or power and be consistent and the bike won't really matter much ... 

Ashley-Why do youthink Shimano componants are better? I've heard others say that too but no one has ever said why. Mine also has an aluminum frame but a carbon fork. The carbon fork is supposed to make for a smoother ride.

For people who have brand prferences-Do you have a reason you like specific brand or does it have to do with your LBS and fitter? Also, for those of you who bought new-did you get fitted for your bike before you bought it? What was the process like at the store?

Has anyone here ever changed their cartridges? I've seen people post about which size to use for which race but I find it confusing.

I went to a local place down the road from where I lived at the time (for locals, Elevate Cycles in Clifton Park). At the time they carried only Jamis bikes (they now carry Giants and I think something else-?Cervelo?). Anyway, since I have short legs and a long torso they wanted to put me on a guys bike. Unfortunately, I'm kind of short and after a couple of weeks they could't find a frame that small in a guys bike. So, I went to a different bike shop (The Downtube in Albany-excellent, BTW) and they ended up fitting me on my Trek. It's a girls frame but they extended my reach by adding a spacer(?). I've been very happy with it.

At the first bike shop they took all kinds of measurements and stuff while I stood in some big measuring contraption-I never got the bike so I don't know how that would've worked out. The second store picked out a bike, put it on a trainer and asked questions/made changes while I rode. That seemed to work out well.

Anyway, that's my experience. Hope you guys are enjoying all my questions.

Scott-I know your taking a day off so I'm trying to keep us all occupied while we wait (impatiently) for that race report.

Hi

Thanks for all the words of wisdom regarding bikes - I am not looking to spend a huge amount of money, as I want to get myself into it slowly, will also use the bike for commuting back and forth to work.

My initial thoughts were to buy a second hand bike, but upon thinking, you don't get any form of guarantee with it, like you would if you bought from a dealer.

I think I also need to pay attention to frame makeup, as I am a naturally big lad, 6 foot 4 and 18 stone, so need to make sure the bike can take my weight!! But hopefully with all the training it will continue to go down!!

Have looked on ebay as a starting point, but will not rush, will probably do my next race on my mountain bike again, making sure that I get the same buzz the second time round as I did the first!!

And on that note, my next event is a Tri festival - everybody does a short sprint in the morning (400m swim, 10k ride, 2k run), then they grade your ability by time, then you do the same again but with people of your ability, thus creating a level playing field

Gareth

one more question on bikes....

How many gears should we be looking at for the bike?

I don't have a brand preference. I knew I was going to buy a new bike and I knew how much I had to spend, so I looked at the equivalent bike from Giant, Trek, and Cannondale ... at two different local bike shops. I didn't (and don't) know enough about my geometry and the subtle differences in bike geometry, so I just test rode all three bikes. I think all were at the Shimano 105 level. 

After a few days worth of going back and forth between the two stores and trying the 3 different bikes, the Giant just kept "feeling" right. So I went with it. The shop would not fit me at that point beyond the very basics of making sure my seat was right, etc. They wanted me to ride it for a few weeks and then come in for the professional fit so I could verbalize how things were feeling on those initial rides. 

I spent about 90 minutes with the fit specialist and we were both amazed that the bike fit me as it was ... right off the rack. He added a spacer to my right pedal which was a very small adjustment, but left everything else as it was. I've not changed anything since and adjusted the aero bars myself based on tips and pictures I read mostly here on BT.

So ... for me ... I very much went with the "feel" of the bike.