Ironman Lake Placid : Official Thread (Page 32)

I got my wheels because they were very cheap.  I feel no difference when I use my zipp or edge but they add me more speed on the bike. 
 

Im attending endurance nations training camp weekend of june 9.
Anyone else will be down there the same weekend or attending the same camp? 

I had planned on doing EN Camp it has been free the last 3 years this year they are charging $100 I am not paying that. I will be up there that weekend and just hook on to groups.

I've read up extensively on this timeless question.  From everything I've gleaned, here's my wooden nickel cents opinion: 

No matter what (unless it's a straight mountain climb climb and ascent finish), disc is ALWAYS the fastest option.  Some people say you get blown around on a windy day with the disc; some say a disc actually helps stabilize the bike in windy conditions - either way, unless it's an absurdly windy course (like the trade winds that blow across Kona) a disc is the way to go. 

For front, a 60 deep is usually the best choice.  A 90 will be slightly faster (from some studies I've seen it's 20 to 30 seconds faster per 56 miles.).  HOWEVER, if you are a poor bike handler or very slight in weight/stature, you may catch more wind with a 90 deep front which will force you to correct the front wheel a lot, and thi will simply erase the savings.  Personally, when bombing the Keene descent and a crosswind hits, I'm happy I have only a 60 deep front because even at 175 lbs my front wheel occasionally gets pushed sideways.  BUT very RARELY. 

Additionally, I watched all the North American Ironmans on TV and the vast majority of male and female pro's run 60 deep in the front.  Very few run 90 deep in the front.  It seems only the uber-bikers do.  Which leads me to believe the most practical set-up is 60 front/ 90 back OR 60 front/ disc rear - depending on conditions. 

As for picking a manufacturer of carbon wheels, I only have experience with Zipp and Hed - so I cannot comment on any other manufacturers.  If you are looking to Rent, I rented from racedaywheels.com who are affiliated with Ironman, are on-site, and I have a great experience with them.  Everyone I know has.  Renting wheels for one single 'A Race' is a practical cheap option. 

Because I race I decided it would be cheaper for me in the long run to buy race wheels.  I chose between Zipp and Hed.  Long story short, the wind tunnel data between the two are almost identical.  The difference is price and durability.  Zipp wheels are beautiful, luxurious, top-end and they are the most expensive ($2500 avg retail for a wheelset).  I've ridden Zipps with a Sub9 disc for two races and they are sublime.  Loved them.  But the spokes on the wheels are bonded to the carbon; not the rim, meaning - if the carbon cracks, you're screwed.  So it's recommended that if you buy Zipp wheels you ONLY use them for Race Week and Race Day. 

Hed wheels and disc are spoked wheels with carbon fairings glued on to the rim.  So if the carbon cracks, you can have it fixed and the wheel is fine.  Hed wheels are also BOMBPROOF.  Now if you're training for a 70.3 or 140.6 you are going to put several thousand miles on your wheels in training, thus it's wise to use training wheels; however, it's nice to be able to use your race wheels and not worry when you hit a pot hole.  And I do use my Hed Jet 60's more than I shoudl!!   I train with them a lot, but life is short and I really enjoy them.  I also got my Hed Jet 60's on sale, I paid just under 1200 bucks for the wheelset.  And heck, they're good enough for Chrissie -  then they're good enough for me.   And they are 50% cheaper than zips.  So for me, Heds were a no brainer. 

That's all I got for yah.   

Oh, and about disc covers - the best place to buy one is wheelbuilder.com.  I bought a 60 back because a wheel cover could not be fit onto a 90 for the Hed wheel.  On the wheelbuilder.com site you can check to see which back wheels can fit a disc cover, and which don't.  The wind tunnel data for a disc cover vs a disc is very similar.  A disc cover is heaver and does require maintenance and occasional adjustment.  The wheel cover comes with screw attachments to hold both sides together, and I know lots of guys/gals that use electrical tape as well.  A pre-made disc pretty-much has zero maintenance, but the price is 10X more. 

Great feedback, thanks.  I'm leaning towards getting 60 front and 60 back w/disc cover.

I have this week to demo a ISM Adomo Tri/Racing saddle does nay one have any tips or secrets on how to set it up?

I have a Fizik Adrione Tri and it is killing me!!!

Yes - Doing the Start-tri camp the same weekend. I'm helping to organize and run it Great camp and lots of IMLP specific experience.

How was everyone's weekend training?  I had a nice confidence booster yesterday.  I had a PR by over 2 minutes on an 11.5 mile trail race and then about an hour or so later did a 30 mile ride and was able to maintain a decent effort through the end.

I started the trail race expecting to be about 2-3 minutes slower than my best time from 2 years ago.  Still a long way to go but I feel like it is starting to come together.

Great job on the PR!!  Congrats!  I had a good weekend, got to ride outside on Sat with some hills and run on Sun with some hills, I was pretty tired on the run, but today is my rest day so it's all good.

weekend went ok for me...shortened training as my son turned 15 and the family went to NYC to see the sights. All new for him (and my older son) so much enjoyed.

I'm anxious to get my bike but am trying to be patient. Have tweaked my training plan a zillion times over the past few days as the swimming is coming along better than expected so I'll put some more emphasis back on the run training.

There are only so many hours in a day and my schedule is crazy.

Sat-off (travel)

Sun-R 10 miles steady (sub9 pace)--am

       S-2500K- inc 20x100M at CSS pace/rest 15 sec--pm

Mon (planned)- Bike 1hr trainer/Strength-stretching-core

I had a great weekend.  Ran 12 on Saturday and swam 1.5.  Felt good the entire time.  Woke up on Sunday, biked 44 with a group (Z2/Z3) and then ran 5.3 at Z2.  I felt so good at the end of the run I was tempted to do another 5.3 loop but decided to just end the weekend on a really strong note and not to put myself in a position that I could possibly injure myself.  Nice to have today off though. 

The metamorphisis is happening!  It has begun. 

Weekend was brutal here... since doing CA 70.3 following that plan to a point but switching over to LP plan next week.  Had a nice mock tri mile swim, 40 mile ride, and 4 mile run on saturday.  winds sucked as averaged 12-15 going out but 22-29 back on flat  was hot (75-80F?) as well so made the run that much more interesting... but felt good.  Z2 all the way

Sunday was the Surf City Half Marathon, so paced a friend for 8 miles (bout 8-9 min mile, so semi recovery which I'm thankful for.

Love the bike pics.  Some smoking hot treks and felts.  Keep 'em coming.

I had my best week of training this year.  On Wednesday it hit 62 degrees here in New York so I rode 44 miles outside, and ran 4 miles off the bike at Ironman Pace.  Got both my swim sessions in.  Rode an uber-hilly mountain bike course Saturday and ran 9.5 miles of hills Sunday morning.  And this week was coming off a 10-mile Road Race PR the prior Saturday.  I'm feeling pretty damn tired now.  God Bless Rest Day Monday 

I'm hoping to do Jorge's camp which is either the 2nd or 3rd weekend in June.

I love your pink bike!!!

My training plan for Ironman Lake Placid officially begun today!

I was supposed to do 3000 yards in the pool and a 30 min run but the YMCA pool was closed due to a chemical issue so I could only do the run. Not exactly an auspicious way to begin training.

Due to work/life issues I've been absent from the forms for awhile, but now that training has officially started I'm back. Time to go read the 20+ pages I missed in my absence. 

I was able to get out in the snow and get just under 10 miles on Saturday. I was hit with more slush on the road than the 7-11 has. My feet were water logged when I got home. I went to the gym to do my swim, but started getting really cold (after effects from my run). I quickly saw the hot tub and dipped in to get warm! I didn't swim as long as I liked due to the hot tub time and I had an apt to work on my bike fit some more (to assit with my IT band). Hopefully with my new adjustments, the shims he put in my shoe and  continuing the graston technique I will continue to get better. I was able to get a 2.5 hr ride on the trainer in yesterday pain free. I went to do a recovery run, but the IT band felt a little tight. I didn't want to push it so I didn't run. I feel like I'm getting there though!

I had one guy stop and praise me for my bright orange jacket that I was wearing! I think I was thrown off guard considering most people honk their horns and yell at me to get outta their way.

I don't think anyone has said it yet, but ......24 more weeks!