Alright team, my sprint triathlon training plan has always been swim and run whenever possible, and try to remember to bring my bike to the races. I'm excited to figure this bike business out but I need some guidance on where to start. Specifically, I'm looking for any input you have on trainers, clip on pedals/cycling shoes and aerobars.
5 comments:
Here's my 2 cents:
Trainer: Love the Kurt Kinetic trainer. It is a fluid trainer with a dual flywheel fan cooling system.
Pedals: I have Looks love em.
Shoes: I have the Specilized trivents. Love them. They breathe very well, and are comfortable. If there is anything I splurged on, it was my shoes.
Aerobars: need them. They help not only when you're trying to go super fast down a big hill, but also when you are battling a fierce headwind. I have Profile F16 aerobars.
Not sure if you have a computer yet, but if you don't, i would get one. I actually have one if you need it.
And Slim - always remember to pump your tires up before you ride. This will make an enormous difference. If I go more than 2 days without riding, i ususally lose about 10-15PSI at least.
I don't claim to know a ton about nutrition, but I always like packing a GU or 3 when I go on long rides (20+ miles).
Gilby gave his 2 cents, here is a nickel:
Trainer: there are 3 types, fluid, magnetic and wind. Fluid is the cadillac but like a cadillac the rumor is they can break down and then are a massive pain (apparently they can leak - obviously not an issue for BMG). Knock on wind is they are loud (I like to ride my trainer while all others are sleeping so that is a problem). You can guess what kind I have....magnetic (Cyclops). Cyclops and Kurt are two of the stronger brands but to be honest I don't see how you can mess a trainer up - we are looking at adding a second right now and I am not going to be very discriminating. Could be a mistake but we will see.
Pedals: two main types are look and speedplay. Speedplay are the high end in this arena with weight as their biggest touted benefit, I think. Jackie has them and (I believe) loves them - I have heard they can hurt the bottom of your feet ("feel like an ice cube") and if you get off to take a leak, buy a coffee, etc, they can be hard to get back into the clips if any sand/debris gets in. But I will let Jackie comment on the validity of that. My brother has both and actually would probably sell you the speedplay on the cheap. I have looks and like them enough - really not a very emotional subject for me.
Shoes: I bought the cheapest clip-ins the guy had with the intent of always upgrading. I still want to do that but just can't justify it. Mine work fine. They were $75, the cheap Specialized ones with 3 velcroe straps (vs. the tri 1 strap and cincher). I will say I would like to have all black shoes but that is purely stylistic, no function whatsoever. At a tri I am one of the few guys with 3 strap velcroes.
Aeros: agree with Gilby, you absolutely need them. I can push one gear higher and pick up 2-3 mph in aero, it is amazing what a difference it makes. Also it helps with discomfort (one more position you can try). It really makes such a difference. TFC and I rode together this summer A LOT and she loves to go aero but would get frustrtated when we would be going down a hill bc she would push past me (and I would tell her "Lance, if you want to pull go ahead but don't half-wheel me." Not good for familial relations). On this there are 2 kinds, the u bar and the horns. TFC and Jack both have the U horns which I like the look of much more. Not sure if there is a functional benefit.
Nutrition: only thing on this is everyone probably has there own opinion on what is best and I think you know mine (Hammer). I will say this...getting hungry on the bike is incredibly painful and should be avoided at all costs (while IMCA training I always carried a power bar in my big bag just in case).
My 2 cents from the slowest guy in the group:
Trainer: My personal preference is fluid, I tried that and magnetic and the fluid was much better. Never heard of the leaking problem. Kurt Kinetic is what I have.
Aerobars- I liked having them this year. Gilbies and Cronz flip up, which gives you an extra position, mine does not allow for the top of the handle bars position. My advice would be try a few with different positions and try out and go with what you like.
Shoes- I really don't think it matters, I found the most cheap I could find and they are fine. Tris have easier in/out access and have fabric to use w/o socks. I have road, and wear socks.
Clips- That is the most debated. I have speedplays, and there are a lot of supposed advantages, including larger surface area, wider range of motion for your foot/knee, lower clearance, I am sure a salesman would go through it with you. I haven't experienced the problems that Chris noted, but at the Turtleman I did have trouble clipping in because I was standing in mud waiting for Heather. There are little rubber things that attach to the shoes that you can walk around in to prevent mud/dirt in the cleat. I have never used anything else, but I like mine. The only advantage that I really think that matters to the average joe is the surface area, I think it does help to have a bigger surface to push does help. But you will have people that hate them. I think It really comes down to personal preference. I would try both types extensively (take both for a ride), if you have 10.5 size shoes, you can try mine.
Nutrition- I drank the Cronz koolaid and I am a big believer in Hammer stuff. my stomach felt good at Timberman, after I switched mid run to Gatorade, I felt sick/green all the way to the end. Over the next year, everyone should be experimenting.
Thanks for the 411. This is good stuff, I'm hoping to make these purchases in the next couple weeks so this really helps. You guys are swell.
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