The Triathlon thread

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Mel - You can ride on any bike you like. I saw all kinds at my race this weekend. You don't have to have the clips and shoes, in fact, you'll transition faster because you won't have to change shoes.

Carrie - You can totally go for just a road bike. The advantage with a TT bike is the positioning, apparently less fatigue on the legs. Unless you are looking at longer races I think you'd be okay with a road bike. I'm just going to fit mine with some clip on aero bars sometime next year.

Betsy - Good luck at IMC!!! I can't wait to read your race report. Penticton is gorgeous, so have a great time.

As for me - I race my first triathlon yesterday! The swim was...okay... I pedaled really hard on the bike and came in 27th overall, then I PR'ed my 5K run in 29:12 (by 1:10)!!!! You can read more details and see pictures right here:
http://cdnrunnergal.blogspot.com/2008/08/strathmore-womens-triathlon-race-report.html

 

[skfulkers]

Leana--great job on your tri!!!

Ok, started looking at bikes and my head is spinning. Are there any things you guys think are must haves?

1. Start with cranks. I heard that a tri bike should not have 3, only two. Your thoughts?

2. We're leaning towards road bikes instead or tri bikes, as tri bikes almost sound fragile. For someone who's not looking to win, just looking not to embarrass herself, will a road bike be ok?

Carrie—I’m by no means an expert, so take this for whatever it’s worth: I would go with a road bike in your situation for a few reasons.

First, the road bike is so much more versatile than a TT (tri) bike. Long rides and group rides will be so much more comfortable for you on a road bike. Road bike can be taken out for a leisurely ride or a hard ride, depending on what you want to do. Tri bikes are a little harder to take out for a “leisure ride,” since (if you’re fitted correctly) you’ll probably be in the aero position most of the time. Most group rides also discourage the use of tri bikes within the group, and some even prohibit it. Plus, unless you are big-time serious about only doing tris, and assuming you’re just buying one bike, the road bike will allow you more use than the dedicated tri bike.

Second, a tri bike is much more difficult to get used to riding than a road bike. In fact, if you haven’t ridden a road bike much before, going from a mountain bike to a tri bike would be very intimidating (at least for me it would be). Being in the aero position puts you much further forward on the bike, so your center of gravity is a lot closer to the front wheel. This makes the bike pretty “twitchy” and handling is much more difficult. Cornering takes a lot of practice on a tri bike, and being able to quickly dodge potholes, other bikers, cars, etc, is a lot more difficult due to the rider position (this is why many group rides discourage tri bikes).

Third, and this is debatable, I feel that a road bike is more comfortable overall than a tri bike. My situation is a little bit different, since I was fitted on my tri bike and not on my road bike, so my tri bike is actually more comfortable for me. But my guess is that for a normal rider, sitting more upright on a road bike is more comfortable than sitting on the front square inch of a tri bike saddle for hours on end. Also, depending on how you’re set up on the bike, leaning over in the aero position can cause back and neck pain. Not something you couldn’t overcome, but the question, really, is do you WANT to try to overcome those obstacles or just go with a roadie?

Anyway, just my two cents. As I said, I’m not the expert. Betsy could probably throw in a lot more good points as well.

Steve

PS--also, the doulbe/triple crank thing: it really depends on where you'll be riding the bike. In your case, since it (supposedly) is flatter in Michigan, you'd probably be just fine with a double crank. The third chain ring, aka the Granny ring, is great for large climbs, but if you don't have too many large hills, go with a double crank. Also, if you go with a tri bike, I think you'll be hard-pressed to find a model that has a triple crank--most of them just have a double.

 

[postesf]

Leana...Great Job!!! I read your blog. Way to go on the PR! How awesome is that!!!

Stacie

 

[wtpclc]

Thanks for the advice.

Steve, mid MI is flat, but many areas are quite hilly. They put teh WDW overpasses to shame, that's for sure. Now that you've called it granny gear, though, I'll never use it again.

Leana - OMG, you rock! A PR on a 5K after a swim adn a bike??? You'r emy hero! Way to go!!!!!

Liz? How'd CDC go?

Makie - Naperville?

 

[ironz]

Once again, I'll agree with SKFulkers about the bike fit and stuff.

but to clarify....the 2 vs. 3 is the number of chain rings on the front. The cranks are the arms that the pedals are attached to, so you're pretty much going to have only 2.

2 chain rings is common on road and tri bikes, more often there are 3 on mountain bikes. It limits how many choices of gears you have, but you can increase that range depending on the cogset you have on the back...which will generally be 9 or 10-speed. The number of total gears you end up with will be the 9 (or 10) times 2 (or 3). So for example, on my tri bike, I have a double chainring and 10-speed cassette(or cogset), for 20 gear choices. Some of those overlap as far as how fast you can go or how easy it is to pedal.

To increase my range, my 10-speed cassette can be an 11-23 (range of number of teeth on each cog)--good for flatter riding...top end speed is greater (you don't spin out), but the 23 is not enough for my legs to turn over while climbing. If I put on a 12-27, I have easier gears for climbing (i.e., the big cog on the back is larger, and I can spin up hills easier).

I'm sure I've made this clear as mud. Search "gear ratio" and you may be able to find a better explanation.
For a beginner, a standard triple on the front may be the way to go if you don't climb well, but I think with a standard double (53-39 or 38) and a 12-15 or 12-27 on the back, most people can ride anywhere.

 

[wtpclc]

but to clarify....the 2 vs. 3 is the number of chain rings on the front. The cranks are the arms that the pedals are attached to, so you're pretty much going to have only 2.

So far, I have only looked at Trek litrature. Guerss tehy put 3 arms on their bikes. Wonder what you do with that third pedal?

SOme of their lower end have 3. Sounds like I can probably get by with 2. Just making sure that I don't have a salesperson telling me stupid stuff.

Thansk for the advice!

 

[ironz]

Sorry, Carrie...I have just never heard of it referred to that way. I see posts on tri forums about crank length, which is referring to the length of the arms that hold the pedals.... so you see how I am confused.

You'll have plenty of gearing with that setup...might top out a little if you get going on a big downhill, but then you can coast.

With the 30 for your granny gear, you should be able to climb almost anything!
And the carbon seatpost will be good...your booty will thank you for it.

 

[wtpclc]

Sorry, Carrie...I have just never heard of it referred to that way. I see posts on tri forums about crank length, which is referring to the length of the arms that hold the pedals.... so you see how I am confused.

Seemed odd to me too, but it's all I had to start with to call it. That's a lower end bike than I'm hoping for, but I just wanted to show that I wasn't 100% nuts. Maybe just 95%.

If I ever get a free minuet, I'll end up with whatever I can get used that seems to mostly fit. Going to kee[p that carbon seat post info in mind, though. I'll do anything to make my booty happy!

I really like teh Trek WSD bikes fo women. Just seems to make sense. I'm at teh whim of teh used bike fairies, though. Just can't justify that much yet. I'll wait until I've done at least 2 tri's.

 

[stego]

Yes, I got fit at Jack & Adam's. The fit was dead on...got the bike back from being tuned up and they had to adjust the cables. Riding on the trainer and then on the road are different. Going out after my swim was wobbly and all over the road. Early Sun AM out at the lake driving out saw the water and it was blowing...the choppiest it has ever been. After I came out I saw my wife had made some new "friends" and she told me one of the ladies observed me swimming and stated: "I wish I could swim like that". You could have knocked me over with a pin! I am not a swimmer at all and this was the ultimate compliment. The past two weeks I have focused completely on form and stroke and not on speed at all. I feel faster but at Marble Falls felt completely out of my league. I did two laps on the new bike and felt more comfortable in the bars at the end. I did come up on the horns for a few hills, but it actually felt better to be aero. I did get more speed in some sections and realize that I just need to practice. After the Austin tri I will completely stop swimming and road bike and go right into the mountain bike for the fall series. I'll use my first two races to adjust and then the last two to see if I can place. TMBRA has decided to go to the new category ranking before USA cycling does in the spring. For the past two years I have been trying to get up to "expert" and I think the best way to do that is to focus on 2 specific races each season instead of racing the whole series. I believe doing the training and racing at tri has helped me to stay conditioned and also not to burn out. I realize that I am very fortunate to be able to compete at different sports at such a level and am thankful to be able to come here and share about my experience.

 

[wtpclc]

Stego - What a great compliment on your swimming. FOrm really is everything, so great job!!!! SO hard to practice form when you just want ot go and swim as afst as you can. SOunds liek a great plan and I look forward to hearing how your races go!

 

[chimera]

You guys are all real cute, but I have no idea what you're saying

Anyone have suggestions for a Bike 101 website?

Really not sure about the duathlon now...DH's coworker is doing it. He just won a duathlon last weekend. He runs about a 5:30 pace

 

[mkymsehi]

Once again, I'll agree with SKFulkers about the bike fit and stuff.

but to clarify....the 2 vs. 3 is the number of chain rings on the front. The cranks are the arms that the pedals are attached to, so you're pretty much going to have only 2.

2 chain rings is common on road and tri bikes, more often there are 3 on mountain bikes. It limits how many choices of gears you have, but you can increase that range depending on the cogset you have on the back...which will generally be 9 or 10-speed. The number of total gears you end up with will be the 9 (or 10) times 2 (or 3). So for example, on my tri bike, I have a double chainring and 10-speed cassette(or cogset), for 20 gear choices. Some of those overlap as far as how fast you can go or how easy it is to pedal.

To increase my range, my 10-speed cassette can be an 11-23 (range of number of teeth on each cog)--good for flatter riding...top end speed is greater (you don't spin out), but the 23 is not enough for my legs to turn over while climbing. If I put on a 12-27, I have easier gears for climbing (i.e., the big cog on the back is larger, and I can spin up hills easier).

I'm sure I've made this clear as mud. Search "gear ratio" and you may be able to find a better explanation.
For a beginner, a standard triple on the front may be the way to go if you don't climb well, but I think with a standard double (53-39 or 38) and a 12-15 or 12-27 on the back, most people can ride anywhere.

Betsy's next presentation:
The patagoream therom for dummies.

Thanks for all the bike info, it made my head spin!

Until I decide if tri's are my thing, I'm just going to change the tires on my Mt. bike from nobby treads to road treads. Because right now I just can't afford a new road bike. Have you seen the prices of race registrations lately? Let alone the costs of getting there.

 

[wtpclc]

Jeff - Road tires helped a lot. However, I was told for about 9 miles that I would have been flying (instead of last) on my tri if I had a road bike. DH and I think tehy should rent bikes for races so beginners can see if they like the sport before committing $$$$$$$$$$$$. I'm with you on not spendign the money right away, but if you could even get a used bike, that would liekly help.

Mel - You know better than to not do a race because you know someone will be better. I do understand how hard it is. I've been encouraging a co-worker to do longer distances. he only did 5Ks when I met him. Yeah, did hisi first 10-mile race last weekend. Had a 7:33 pace. Not looking forward to doing a half with him next month, but you can't let it keep you from racing.

 

[rKyDeX]

Really not sure about the duathlon now...DH's coworker is doing it. He just won a duathlon last weekend. He runs about a 5:30 pace

Hey Mel!.

Was that the Publix Family Fun Weekend event that was held on Manasota Key?

Chet and I entered the triathlon in the "fat tire" classes. He placed 2nd in the under 39 class and I finished 3rd in the over 40 class. Neither one of us did any swimming training at all. I guess that's why only 2 people came out of the water behind us.

I've been tempted to do the dualthon they are having at Fort DeSoto park this Saturday, since I need to do a of training in the swimming part. I haven't registered yet, but they do have an online registration through Thursday and onsite registration Friday Night.

Chester

 

[chimera]

Hey Mel!.

Was that the Publix Family Fun Weekend event that was held on Manasota Key?

Chet and I entered the triathlon in the "fat tire" classes. He placed 2nd in the under 39 class and I finished 3rd in the over 40 class. Neither one of us did any swimming training at all. I guess that's why only 2 people came out of the water behind us.

I've been tempted to do the dualthon they are having at Fort DeSoto park this Saturday, since I need to do a of training in the swimming part. I haven't registered yet, but they do have an online registration through Thursday and onsite registration Friday Night.

Chester

Hey Chester! Where you been hidin'?

I don't know which race it was. This guy's name is Chris and he's wicked fast. He has sponsors and has to participate in a certain number of races per year with his sponsors stuff.

Congrats to you and CHet for your finishes!! Ft. Desoto looks interesting. How well organized are those Publix events? Interested in doing Siesta?

 

[skfulkers]

Carrie--I'm glad Betsy posted about the gear ratios and how the rear cassette coupled with the front chain rings can give you all sorts of ratios. I was thinking about that on my ride to work this morning (yes, I've started biking to work as it's harder to get quality biking time in now that we have the infant taking up our time ). Since you're an engineer, I thought, "Hey, Carrie would understand gear ratios and how ratios can overlap from one chain ring to the next depending on the ratio of the front to the back, etc, etc. And I was so excited to post that tonight. And then Betsy beat me to it. But she's exactly right. And here's one more point to consider--unless you plan to spend a lot of time riding in the smallest of the 3 chainrings and the largest of the sprockets on your rear cassette, you can probably do just fine with the 2 chainrings in the front. The third chain ring really only gives you 3 or 4 "easier" gears than a standard double would give you.

Stego--awesome about the bike fit and great job on your swimming!

Mel--not sure about a biking 101 website, but if you do google searches on beginner road bikes, beginner biking, best beginner bikes, etc, etc, you can find a lot of good info. A 5:30 pace?? That's for a whole mile, right?? Yeah, that's moving. I'd suggest just bringing a hockey stick and sticking it in his bike tire spokes. I'm sure that would slow his post-bike run down to at least a 6:00 pace.

Betsy--just out of curiosity, what rear cassette do you have on your bike "most of the time?" I'm guessing you switch it out occasionally, but just curious what you have on there for the majority of your rides. I have a 12-25 (10 speed), and I am really considering going to 12-27 because I have enough hills around here that I could use the 27 once in awhile. At times, I wish I had the 11, especially to keep from spinning out in the small chain ring, but I'd rather have the 27 for climbing and live with spinning out once in awhile. Either way, climbing on a TT bike really stinks, huh?

Steve

 

[wfloyd]

... DH and I think tehy should rent bikes for races so beginners can see if they like the sport before committing $$$$$$$$$$$$. I'm with you on not spendign the money right away, but if you could even get a used bike, that would liekly help.

Actually some races do have a local store that rents bikes for their races. This way people don't have to ship thier bikes to the race. Aside from races, your bike store may rent bikes anyway. I know that a couple around us do so this may be a way to get a feel for different bikes.

Bill

 

[wtpclc]

Congrats to CHester and Chet!

Steve - lol. Scott has been driving me nuts with his wanting to measure the gears and figure out where the overlap is. Yeah, he can figure that out and get me his cliff notes. I like to turn my brain off after work.

Went to the local bike store last night. They sell Giants, which appear to me to be very reasonably priced. Took a couple for a ride. We may end up with new bikes after all, just not so pricey. Got at least one more test drive to take. The one I want, though, I'll have to wait for the 09s to come out. ANyway, we are getting closer.

Oh, and the ones I rode were made f owomen. Wow, I liked those!

 

[skfulkers]

Congrats to CHester and Chet!

Steve - lol. Scott has been driving me nuts with his wanting to measure the gears and figure out where the overlap is. Yeah, he can figure that out and get me his cliff notes. I like to turn my brain off after work.

Went to the local bike store last night. They sell Giants, which appear to me to be very reasonably priced. Took a couple for a ride. We may end up with new bikes after all, just not so pricey. Got at least one more test drive to take. The one I want, though, I'll have to wait for the 09s to come out. ANyway, we are getting closer.

Oh, and the ones I rode were made f owomen. Wow, I liked those!

Carrie--not to sway you one way or the other, but if you wait about two months, all of the bike shops will be discounting this year's models and getting ready for next year's bikes. From what I've found, the late fall is the best time to get a good deal on a bike. But then again, you wouldn't get to ride it this year if you waited until it gets cold out.
(of course, this is coming from me, who just bought my most recent bike in April, which is THE WORST time to buy a new bike with the high prices. ).

Steve

 

[Suzann]

Hi there! I was wondering if anyone had a good checklist of things to pack and not forget for race day! Thanks!!!