SBR Utopia Season II - OPEN (Page 96)

On the individual cogs I just use a rag and some simple green or degreaser.  Doesn't need to be strong as it's pretty easy to come off.  For the three biggest cogs that are stuck together, some type of brush works best.  If I'm storing a cassette, definitely a zip tie to keep everything together.  Doesn't need to be in order...it's pretty obvious when you put it back on in the wrong order.

Compact.

Keeping up with the Manatees would be like trying to keep up with Kienle on the bike.  

I'd like to see Kienle win but I don't think it will happen.  I predict he gets to T2 with a couple of minutes on another group of 3-4 strong riders and they will have 3-4 mins on a bigger group.  Top 5 (not in order) I would pick Crowie, Jacobs, Llanos, Kienle, Raelert.

For the women, I want Steffen to win.  I would have bet on MB Ellis if she hadn't crashed a couple of weeks ago.

Now I want to go back!

Especially if the wind is nasty.

Yeah, I see him fading late too. Chances are small, but there is just enough potential to make things very intriguing and get in the heads of others.

I've heard some call out the IMFL too, but other saying to knock it off with that. One in particular seems almost obsessive about every bike leader being greatly assisted regardless of what others who've been in that position have said. I try not to make too much of any one result, and that's not his only ride.

I've seen a number dislike as well, but wonder how bad it really is. Many tend to be more quiet & humble, seeming to expect everyone else to do likewise. He operates best by being extremely confident in what he does and these guys are in it to win. Compared to the majority of pros he is rather cocky, but when looking at say the NFL, NBA, or a number of other pro sports just have to smile at this. I'm definitely more the quiet type, but haven't really seen where he's been a problem. Some variety makes things more entertaining.

Yes, I've heard it used to be much more of a problem back in the day.

I think this year's pro race is going to be awesome to see unfold.  I believe it has the perfect mix of wild card's to make the contenders take risks instead of simply running their own race.  Or it could be that all the risks taken don't pay off, and the one who does run their own race wins.

Starky has the swim/bike combo, but like Lieto, ultimately I don't think he's a factor at the finish line, but still someone you have to be aware of.  Kienle has the bike/run combo, and unless he has the swim of his life and can come out with the pros in the 54 minute area, I'm not sure he can build up a big enough lead on the bike to hold off all the top runners.  But when you combine Starky and Kienle together, that's when I would start getting worried as a top contender.

Who do I want to see win?  Kienle.  Got to pull for the biker to win.    After that I'd really cheer for Raelert to get a win.  Llanos would be a great story to cap of an unreal story, but it's so hard to peak for the entire year.

Who do I think will win?  It's hard to go against Jacobs.  If he's 100% healthy (it seems he's always dealing with injury) then it's hard to not pick him.  I'd go Kienle 2nd, and a bit of a dark horse in Tim O'Donnell 3rd.

I too hope Rapp does well, but his recent bike accident would be tough to overcome.  He did really well at the Asian Pacific championships, but that was early in the year.

I have to go with Potts just cuz he's a swimmer.

Smallest (largest?) I have is a 12-25, but I am currently running a standard crank.  An 11-23 would be better, but don't do many flat races so not going to go buy a cassette just for that. 

Same boat for a speedsuit for the swim.  I've never done a non wetsuit legal race, and don't plan on doing many, so not going to buy a speedsuit just for Miami.  Wondering how bad the swim will be in tribibs and a tri top....

Thanks Jason and all.  How often do you guys all clean your cassettes?

Oh, and re the bolded, I've only taken off the cassette a couple times, do they all have a spacer between each individual cog?  That was what I was worried about keeping it in order, but if there's a spacer for every cog, that isn't an issue

What are your ballpark swim and bike estimated times?  You need to find a way to get yourself on camera!