Plainsman AU - 2009-12-11 1:21 PM Race wheels?

So here is my take and see who agrees with me.  Damm those things are EXPENSIVE!  They look really COOL!  If I had a couple thousand extra dollars I would definitely have me some nice looking bling on my bike. 

Maybe get me an extra 1 to 2 miles per hour which might shave 15 minutes on a HIM.  If I am a MOP'er does it really matter?  I guess my thought is ... unless I have a chance to podium, or am competing with someone and that extra time is going to make a big difference, why bother. 

Could be the difference is someone like Suzy making a podium spot...go for it and the wheels might get you there, but for someone like myself that can't RUN the entire HIM, I think it would be a waste.  But they still are WAY COOL.

tahrens - 2009-12-11 12:59 PM

I'm with you Barry.  The only reason I am considering them in the future is for my IM. Any extra energy saved is worth it to me over that distance.  I understand the value of energy efficiency gained with upgrading wheels and it is a question of balance of cost to comfort.  Until I can place I don't want to be a total FRED out there.   I think race wheels are like a lot of things in this sport, fun to have, pretty to look at, worth the money most of the time, but are a fun option, not a requirement.  And I think it is a matter of where people choose to spend their fun money.  Some like to travel, others collect art, triathletes buy beer.

Plainsman AU - 2009-12-11 12:21 PM Race wheels?

So here is my take and see who agrees with me.  Damm those things are EXPENSIVE!  They look really COOL!  If I had a couple thousand extra dollars I would definitely have me some nice looking bling on my bike. 

Maybe get me an extra 1 to 2 miles per hour which might shave 15 minutes on a HIM.  If I am a MOP'er does it really matter?  I guess my thought is ... unless I have a chance to podium, or am competing with someone and that extra time is going to make a big difference, why bother. 

Could be the difference is someone like Suzy making a podium spot...go for it and the wheels might get you there, but for someone like myself that can't RUN the entire HIM, I think it would be a waste.  But they still are WAY COOL.

SSMinnow - 2009-12-11 12:04 PM Hey Doug...Thanks, but the 404s are not possible for me.  I had three bike fitters tell me the depth was too great given my size.  I blow all over heck with my very basic Cane Creek wheels so those would send me flying.  One of the Serrotta fitters suggested the 303's, but my builder thinks Zipps are crap.  He has built over 20,000 wheels himself so he is finicky and particular.  We are still hashing out wheels, but I do not know I am going to have a set of training wheels and race wheels.  He suggested Reynolds or Mavics for the training set.  Thoughts?

roni_runnw - 2009-12-10 4:20 PM

Hi Trina! Nice to meet you! You will definitely be ready for a tri by Summer! Have you looked at some of the training plans on this site? When I first found this site about 3 years ago, I had only biked recreationally on occasion, had never swam laps, and never ran a mile. I followed the basic "Couch to Sprint" training plan and finished my first sprint tri. After that I was hooked!

 I also lost 55lbs, most of it before triathlons, by being more active, eating more mindfully, and counting calories.  I'm still down about 40lbs, but as you can see from the numbers it is important to continue to be mindful of your eating while training. The activity of training will help you burn more calories, but if you aren't careful it is easy to make up for all of those calories burned through what you're eating. I've done it quite successfully by gaining 15lbs over the last 1.5 years while training for marathons and triathlons.  Right now I'm busy getting my diet back under control with a goal of losing 20lbs. So feel free to send me a message, and we can trade tips, recipes, etc. There is a forum here on BT called "triing for weight loss" that has some support groups and other advice as well. I've also heard great things about Weight Watchers. If you don't want to "count calories" they have a system that makes it a bit easier. I think Doug (DougRob) is doing WW, hopefully he'll chime in on this too.