First Tri tomorrow, need advice on bike

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2014-07-26 6:21 PM


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Subject: First Tri tomorrow, need advice on bike
Doing my first Tri tomorrow. 1K Swim / 20K Bike / 8K Run.
I've only got a mountain bike; this is what i've been training on. It's a KHS Alite 1000. For gear ratios it's got 3 & 9, and on this bike i've got clip pedals & shoes.
My friend has offered up his road bike. it has the same gear ratio as my mountain bike 3 & 9. Weight on this bike and my mountain bike are about the same; road bike slightly less. The road bike's tires only pump up to a max of 80psi... i'm a 205lbs fella. I do know that while the bike track is on the road; it's a road.. fair amount of pot holes , we'll cross 2 sets of rail roads. Also on the road bike i cannot for the life of me get my clip pedals to thread into it. It looks like whoever installed his normal flat pedals the very first time mis threaded it. I can get his old ones on there no problem and tight, but my clip ones will not go without really cranking on em.. which i'm sure will strip it.
So, if i use the road bike what PSI should i use? i'm sure if i pump to a max of 80 i'll surely bust em in our pot holes. Or should i just use my mountain bike.. In my head i think i'll be faster on the road bike but where i have the same gear ratio's... is that even the case?

2014-07-26 6:34 PM
in reply to: itrunner

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Subject: RE: First Tri tomorrow, need advice on bike
If it's your first triathlon should you worry about these things. I would choose road bike, hired for myself time ago while all my training was on MTB just be sure you will be comfortable on it.
2014-07-26 6:55 PM
in reply to: Yuriy

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Subject: RE: First Tri tomorrow, need advice on bike
While the road bike would be a better choice, I have serious doubts if this is the first time you've rode it.

Try nothing new on race day.


Road bike tires usually run around 100psi. (700x23)
2014-07-26 9:13 PM
in reply to: itrunner

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Subject: RE: First Tri tomorrow, need advice on bike

Originally posted by itrunner Doing my first Tri tomorrow. 1K Swim / 20K Bike / 8K Run. I've only got a mountain bike; this is what i've been training on. It's a KHS Alite 1000. For gear ratios it's got 3 & 9, and on this bike i've got clip pedals & shoes. My friend has offered up his road bike. it has the same gear ratio as my mountain bike 3 & 9. Weight on this bike and my mountain bike are about the same; road bike slightly less. The road bike's tires only pump up to a max of 80psi... i'm a 205lbs fella. I do know that while the bike track is on the road; it's a road.. fair amount of pot holes , we'll cross 2 sets of rail roads. Also on the road bike i cannot for the life of me get my clip pedals to thread into it. It looks like whoever installed his normal flat pedals the very first time mis threaded it. I can get his old ones on there no problem and tight, but my clip ones will not go without really cranking on em.. which i'm sure will strip it. So, if i use the road bike what PSI should i use? i'm sure if i pump to a max of 80 i'll surely bust em in our pot holes. Or should i just use my mountain bike.. In my head i think i'll be faster on the road bike but where i have the same gear ratio's... is that even the case?

^^^Buuuut, did you notice how many doubts you have about the road bike? You don't need to add an unknown factor to everything else you'll be thinking about. It's your first tri...ride what you're comfortable and trained on. Enjoy the race!

 

2014-07-26 10:31 PM
in reply to: itrunner

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Subject: RE: First Tri tomorrow, need advice on bike
It sounds like you have not ridden the road bike yet. I would not even consider using it if the first time you swing your leg over will be the day before the race. Go with what you know, and use the road bike next time.
2014-07-26 10:32 PM
in reply to: 4agoodlife

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Subject: RE: First Tri tomorrow, need advice on bike
I bought my first proper road bike (and only one actually) just before my first sprint. I had been training on a flat bar. Using in the race wasn't a bad idea as such, but it wasn't good. Althought I had been 'set up', my positioning was completely wrong and caused me a lot of pain.

Use what you train with. Never try something new in a race (especially your first!!!)

Good luck and have a blast


2014-07-27 12:49 AM
in reply to: engima

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Subject: RE: First Tri tomorrow, need advice on bike
Race with the bike you've been riding, then do the same race next year and enjoy the improvements from a faster bike and a faster you.
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