kaburns1214 Mentor Group 2011 Part 2 - CLOSED (Page 61)

Today when I was riding I decided I need to try a different cassette.  I currently have a compact crank, and 12-25 cassette.  I'm ok with the 25, although a 27 might be nice to have for Wisconsin.  But it's the 12 that's not cutting it for me.  I'm constantly spinning out on rolling and slight declines, it's very frustrating.

If I swap out for an 11-27 I know I'll lose some middle gears.  But will I really notice?  Anyone have thoughts?

Today when I was riding I decided I need to try a different cassette.  I currently have a compact crank, and 12-25 cassette.  I'm ok with the 25, although a 27 might be nice to have for Wisconsin.  But it's the 12 that's not cutting it for me.  I'm constantly spinning out on rolling and slight declines, it's very frustrating.

If I swap out for an 11-27 I know I'll lose some middle gears.  But will I really notice?  Anyone have thoughts?

what did you do with them?

FWIW, i use an 11-26 on all my bikes, it does have a few gaps in the gearing, so sometimes i am spinning 5-7rpms too much or little, but i do a fair share of climbing as well as flats during training, so i need the wider cassette. I also run a 50/34 compact, and personally feel that everyone that does Tri's should be on a compact, not a standard.  If you have hills, an 11/26 or 11/27 should be good if you are decent enough on the bike, 12/28 if you are doing the HHH or tons of hills like a Rev3 Quassy race, or if you are weak at climbing. Those would get you by with good results in most cases, with my 11/26 i can pedal well into where i should not be pedaling in a race on big downhills, i have no problem going over 50mph, i hit 48.6 in Ridgefield last week!!

My sone Cole completed his first Tri this morning.  The Super Kids Tri was put on by Tri Mom Productions, and with 260 kids, was super organized.  It couldn't have went better.  The parents were not allowed in the pool area, it would have been too congested.  There were 19 waves, with the oldest starting first.  Cole wase wave 12.  It rained all morning, and didn't stop until the last kid finished.  Super proud of Cole. We got to see him run out of the pool building, into transition, and he handled it pretty well.  Was able to get his shirt and shoes on alone, and jogged out of tranistion with his bike.  He did great.  He had to swim 25 yds in the pool, bike 1 mile and run 1/2 mile. 

He did a Tri before I did!!!!

Trying to post pics

FWIW, i use an 11-26 on all my bikes, it does have a few gaps in the gearing, so sometimes i am spinning 5-7rpms too much or little, but i do a fair share of climbing as well as flats during training, so i need the wider cassette. I also run a 50/34 compact, and personally feel that everyone that does Tri's should be on a compact, not a standard.  If you have hills, an 11/26 or 11/27 should be good if you are decent enough on the bike, 12/28 if you are doing the HHH or tons of hills like a Rev3 Quassy race, or if you are weak at climbing. Those would get you by with good results in most cases, with my 11/26 i can pedal well into where i should not be pedaling in a race on big downhills, i have no problem going over 50mph, i hit 48.6 in Ridgefield last week!!

My sone Cole completed his first Tri this morning.  The Super Kids Tri was put on by Tri Mom Productions, and with 260 kids, was super organized.  It couldn't have went better.  The parents were not allowed in the pool area, it would have been too congested.  There were 19 waves, with the oldest starting first.  Cole wase wave 12.  It rained all morning, and didn't stop until the last kid finished.  Super proud of Cole. We got to see him run out of the pool building, into transition, and he handled it pretty well.  Was able to get his shirt and shoes on alone, and jogged out of tranistion with his bike.  He did great.  He had to swim 25 yds in the pool, bike 1 mile and run 1/2 mile. 

He did a Tri before I did!!!!

Trying to post pics

My sone Cole completed his first Tri this morning.  The Super Kids Tri was put on by Tri Mom Productions, and with 260 kids, was super organized.  It couldn't have went better.  The parents were not allowed in the pool area, it would have been too congested.  There were 19 waves, with the oldest starting first.  Cole wase wave 12.  It rained all morning, and didn't stop until the last kid finished.  Super proud of Cole. We got to see him run out of the pool building, into transition, and he handled it pretty well.  Was able to get his shirt and shoes on alone, and jogged out of tranistion with his bike.  He did great.  He had to swim 25 yds in the pool, bike 1 mile and run 1/2 mile. 

He did a Tri before I did!!!!

Trying to post pics

We definitely have hills here, and I think they are my strength.  I'm good with the 25, but there are some climbs that I wish I had an easier gear.  For Wisconsin I'm thinking having a 27 might help save my legs for the run.  But mostly I want an 11 so I can actually pedal on some rollers and downhills.

Will I need a different chain if I make the switch, or will the chain I have for my 12-25 work?

Has anyone tried an oblong crank?  My husband thinks I should try one, but I know nothing about them and what the benefits are.

Is there any way you can get a video of you swimming underwater?

Even if you can just get a video, I can give you a good idea on how to proceed.  If you have a really "long" and "forward" stroke to begin with TI may not be the answer. 

Maybe.  Been thinking about paying for a swim analysis.

Race Report:  www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=256249&posts=3#M3545679