General Discussion Triathlon Talk » What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI? Rss Feed  
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2014-02-09 3:28 PM

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Subject: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?
Hi...I will be doing ironman Wisconsin this year and am concerned about the hills. I finished IMLou in 2010, but struggled on the hills and don't wanna go through that again! I have a tri bike that I bought just before Louisville and didn't make any modifications to it. I also have limited bike knowledge...so I'm wondering if a change in gearing or a different cassette might help? Thanks!!


2014-02-09 4:57 PM
in reply to: KKelly003

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?
50-34 and 11/26 is what I use. 5:50 on that beast of a course and used the 26 a bunch.
2014-02-09 11:30 PM
in reply to: running2far

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Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?
I'm planning on running a compact crank (50-34) and a 12-25. I'm thinking I'll be fine with that. I haven't ridden on the course before but I am looking forward to it! I'm pretty much sold on compact cranks now. Take a look at http://www.machars.net/bikecalc.htmto calculate your speed in each gear. Once I saw I could go down to 5 mph and still hit 32mph @ 100 RPM and have every possible range in-between, I made made the switch when I got a power meter.
2014-02-10 6:47 AM
in reply to: Blastman

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Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?
50/34 and 11/28 for me this past year. It allowed me to spin up the longest climbs without burning too many matches. I would use same combination again.
2014-02-11 7:30 AM
in reply to: KKelly003

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Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?

What was your bike time at KY?

Do you have a compact?

What was your gearing at KY? Cassette?

If you struggled with hills in KY you need easier gearing. Tell us what you have and folks can give you suggestions. Likely compact with 11-28 or even a 11-32 which may mean changing out your rear derailiuer which I have done for my IMs.

2014-02-11 10:20 AM
in reply to: KathyG

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Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?
I did IMWI last year and I used a 50/34 and 11/28 combination as well. It worked out very well and it was nice having the extra gears to spin up many of the hills on that course.


2014-02-12 12:25 PM
in reply to: strikyr

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Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?

11/28   I nailed my targeted bike time. 

2014-02-12 4:28 PM
in reply to: oriolepwr

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Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?
+1 for an 11-28 cassette with a 50/34 compact crank. I like to spin though.
2014-03-03 8:14 AM
in reply to: KKelly003

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Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?

Originally posted by KKelly003 Hi...I will be doing ironman Wisconsin this year and am concerned about the hills. I finished IMLou in 2010, but struggled on the hills and don't wanna go through that again! I have a tri bike that I bought just before Louisville and didn't make any modifications to it. I also have limited bike knowledge...so I'm wondering if a change in gearing or a different cassette might help? Thanks!!

This is a good question and has been discussed a lot over the years.  I would be curious to hear what you are currently riding and what kind of time you had at Louisville to better help you assess your gearing.  At IMWI if you are concerned about the hills and want to be confident with plenty of gearing at your fingertips, most people at this race would use a compact crank (50/34) with an 11-28 cassette.  However, depending on your cycling abilities and if that wasn't enough gearing, you can certainly look at other options as well.  Just kind of depends where you are as a cyclist.

2014-03-12 3:15 PM
in reply to: sbsmann


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Subject: RE: What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI?
I rode IMWI in 2005 and 2007 on a 2004 Specialized Roubaix with a triple on the front because I was concerned about the hills. I rode a 5:21 bike split and 59th overall in 2007. I don't think I ever used my smallest gear in the race, maybe a little bit during training. Since then I'm riding a Scott Plasma with a 52x39 and 11x23. Rode a 5:18 last year and 49th overall split.

Cycling is my specialty, and I'm working pretty hard on my low gears on the bigger hills. Often I stand on the three hills between Cross Plains and Verona to get more power and to pass faster. If hills at Louisville were an issue, I'd highly recommend getting smaller gears and a compact crank. Don't worry about gears you can hold at 30-40 mph, because there aren't many times on the Ironman Wisconsin course when you will be able to pedal in your top gear without spinning out. Just coast, enjoy the ride, and get in the right gear for the next hill.

As always, make every attempt to pre-ride the course sometime this summer. The time and money spent will be well worth the knowledge you'll gain. Feel free to ask a local if you have any more questions (message and data rates may apply).
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » What kind of gearing/ cassette for IMWI? Rss Feed