What is the miniumum distance that one would consider using a wetsuit given the longer transition time? I am a strong swimmer and have a 1/2 mile race coming up, I can’t figure out whether that is too short to use it. Any thoughts? Thanks Scott
Scott, I’m also a pretty good swimmer and I’ve found that a wetsuit gives me ~:45 difference in a half mile, ~1:30 or so in the mile. You should be able to rip the wetsuit off in 10-20 seconds (pull your arms out on the run up, then step out of the legs at your bike rack). Practice it a couple times, spray pam on your ankles before putting on the wetsuit. So you shed some time. The reasons not to would be if the water is too hot or the run up to T1 is too long, like 4-5 minutes, those wetsuits are heavy. I used to scoff at wetsuits until people I beat in practice beat me out of the water in a triathlon…good luck Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com
What is the miniumum distance that one would consider using a wetsuit given the longer transition time? I am a strong swimmer and have a 1/2 mile race coming up, I can’t figure out whether that is too short to use it. Any thoughts? Thanks Scott
For anything shorter than a 1/2 mile swim I wouldn’t even consider it. For a mile use it. The half mile is the dividing line and I have always decided on race morning based on conditions. If the air temp is a bit nippy, possibly wear it. If all of the athletes of similar ability are wearing theirs, probably wear it. If the water is chilly, wear it. If it is an ocean swim and there are lots of stinging jelly fish, definitely wear it! Otherwise it isn’t worth it. You might want to try timing yourself in a pool for say a 500 with the wetsuit and immediately jump out and take it off, then stop the clock. Compare your total time to your 500 without wearing one. I have found that in the pool I do just about the same time with a wetsuit as without and I lose up to 30 seconds taking it off! However it does help keep your legs fresh so you need to take that into consideration. Wish they would just set up a rule where if the temperature is above say 68 degrees you can’t put on your wetsuit till after the start gun goes off. Then those who REALLY feel the need to wear one cuz of safety concerns could spend race time putting it on! They definitely help weaker swimmers more than stronger ones so this practice could solve that! Good luck, -hug Before you buy.
Wish they would just set up a rule where if the temperature is above say 68 degrees you can’t put on your wetsuit till after the start gun goes off.
68 degrees,,,,, 68 DEGREES !!!!!! where in the arctic tundra do you swim ? No no no I say 78 degrees is low enough and anything under 75 degrees is simply unbearable. alk (in Miami where the surf temp never, ever gets below 72) Al Kormesser
Not enough data – HOW COLD IS THE WATER???? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is the miniumum distance that one would consider using a wetsuit given the longer transition time? I am a strong swimmer and have a 1/2 mile race coming up, I can’t figure out whether that is too short to use it. Any thoughts? Thanks Scott
Good point, thanks, It is lake water so temperature willl not be a factor. My guess is mid to upper 70s. Thanks
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not enough data – HOW COLD IS THE WATER???? What is the miniumum distance that one would consider using a wetsuit given the longer transition time? I am a strong swimmer and have a 1/2 mile race coming up, I can’t figure out whether that is too short to use it. Any thoughts? Thanks Scott
68 degrees,,,,, 68 DEGREES !!!!!! where in the arctic tundra do you swim ? No no no I say 78 degrees is low enough and anything under 75 degrees is simply unbearable. alk (in Miami where the surf temp never, ever gets below 72) Al Kormesser
Al, you’re spoiled down there in Miami! The USAT age group temparature cut off for wetsuits used to be 72 and that is in line with the ITU rules. 78 is WAY too warm to be wearing a wetsuit, particularly a long sleeved one! That being said, I often train in 86-87 degree water so when I have to race in water in the 70s it does feel chilly. However the body warms up really quickly when you are racing! And in the early summer swim season skinny little kids with no body fat are training in pools where the water temp is well below 80 degrees, so I don’t see why adults should have a problem completing a 1/2m swim in 70 degrees without a full body rubber flotation device! One of the best things about turning pro has been that temp cutoff is lower. In fact the XTerra races have a limit of 68 and the race in Cleveland 2 weeks ago banned wetsuits with the water temp being 70. No problem! -hug(who keeps well insulated as a result of daily consumption of large doses of chocolate) Before you buy.
68 degrees,,,,, 68 DEGREES !!!!!! where in the arctic tundra do you swim ? No no no I say 78 degrees is low enough and anything under 75 degrees is simply unbearable. alk (in Miami where the surf temp never, ever gets below 72) Al Kormesser
Oh, man! It rarely gets over 70 at the height of summer here in Santa Barbara — *Southern* California, I’ll point out. When I was just an ocean swimmer, with triathlon as a sideline, I didn’t *own* a wetsuit, and swam down to about 60. (Below that, no, I had to exercise my common sense.) To me (who is always hypothermic) anything above 70 feels fine (sans wetsuit) for just about any duration of swim. Yep, I shiver when I get out, but not until then. Andrew
68 degrees,,,,, 68 DEGREES !!!!!! where in the arctic tundra do you swim ? No no no I say 78 degrees is low enough and anything under 75 degrees is simply unbearable.
Come to Lake Erie in May, or June or early July for that matter. Rock’n'Roll Tri – 16 July 70 degrees.
Just did a triathlon with a 1/2 mile swim and had a minimal transition time with a short john and LOADS of bodyglide. Got drilled in the face with a foot at the start which knocked me almost out…Thank goodness for the wetsuit to keep me afloat!
ocean swimmer, with triathlon as a sideline, I didn’t *own* a wetsuit, and swam down to about 60. (Below that, no, I had to exercise my common sense.)
Lake Erie felt OK at 54 without a wetsuit once, AFTER warming up for a few hundred yards.
What is the miniumum distance that one would consider using a wetsuit given the longer transition time? I am a strong swimmer and have a 1/2 mile race coming up, I can’t figure out whether that is too short to use it. Any thoughts? Thanks Scott
I use a wetsuit whenever allowed…….EXCEPT when the water is over 85 or so…….at taht temp it will get very uncomfortable even during a sprint swim……. cheers sam www.sambean.com –
Does anyone know if a wind trainer will bend the frame of your bike? I have been informed by a local Triathlete, that I could damage the frame on my tri bike by using it on a wind trainer. Thanks Fred
Fred, I can’t give you a clear answer… however, I can say that I’ve seen frames, including my own, flex like crazy while using a wind trainer. I think someone who’s experienced in frame design and manufacturing can probably field this one. Kendall – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know if a wind trainer will bend the frame of your bike? I have been informed by a local Triathlete, that I could damage the frame on my tri bike by using it on a wind trainer. Thanks Fred
Does anyone know if a wind trainer will bend the frame of your bike? I have been informed by a local Triathlete, that I could damage the frame on my tri bike by using it on a wind trainer.
Sounds a bit too much to me. I have heard that if one uses a fork mount that one can get frame damage due to cracking, but if the front wheel is free to move, I doubt that much damage could occur. But, honestly, I am waiting on the facts from Rick DennEy, P.E., as I am only a planner. Rob — Rob Blomquist aka TriDog Seattle, WA http://www2.jps.net/~robbo
Dog boy you are priceless. Have you got anymore of those quips in your trick bag? Being so susceptible and gullible to hearsay ("I have heard that if one uses a fork mount…") you must be a snake oil salesman’s dream come true. We engineers and technos aren’t out to get you, Robbo. We’ve just made a living out designing things then analyzing and testing them to prove that our design was sound, reliable and won’t kill or injure anyone. Further, most of us have had to analyze some oddball concept dreamed up by a non-engineer and then tell him why it won’t work. Little peeves us more than marketing schmucks who come up with technical sounding names and descriptions that lead people to believe that the laws of physics have been circumvented. Would you ride a bike designed by a diplomat? Neither would I. Nor would I ask the average engineer to moderate the Middle East peace talks. Denney may rub you the wrong way but regarding bike tech he knows what he’s talking about and doesn’t pass along marketing hype or urban folk lore. Rather, he helps us think about whether we’re wasting our money on trendy gadgets or getting worthwhile and reliable hardware. Not only that, but he’s a damn nice fellow. Just the other day on our group ride he helped this particular imbecile with a trail side repair. Little did I know that, at the same time, his foot was turning yellow inside his shoe from frostbite. Damn nice fellow. Stacy Hills Reston, VA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know if a wind trainer will bend the frame of your bike? I have been informed by a local Triathlete, that I could damage the frame on my tri bike by using it on a wind trainer. Sounds a bit too much to me. I have heard that if one uses a fork mount that one can get frame damage due to cracking, but if the front wheel is free to move, I doubt that much damage could occur. But, honestly, I am waiting on the facts from Rick DennEy, P.E., as I am only a planner. Rob — Rob Blomquist aka TriDog Seattle, WA http://www2.jps.net/~robbo
I don’t know about the frame bending, but I can tell you that if your not careful about getting the bike mounted properly, you will break the rear axle. I have broken two like this and have since switched to rollers. Gregg
I have not heard of bending but it was recommended taht i use my old bike on the trainer not my best bike. For my friends that do not have two bikes they are quite comfortable using their race bikes. New tires yes, bent frame, don’t know – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know if a wind trainer will bend the frame of your bike? I have been informed by a local Triathlete, that I could damage the frame on my tri bike by using it on a wind trainer. Thanks Fred
Hi guys. I haven’t posted here in a while because…well, because I am slack and haven’t done a triathlon in over a year and a half. But, now I have a request for a friend, due to a recent bike incident. Seems he was on his way back from the NC Triathlon in Raleigh, NC, and a truck in front of their Ford Explorer lost a retread. Anyway, they couldn’t avoid it, and the tire went under the Ford and ripped the bike rack off the back of the truck, taking his Kestrel with it. The frame is cracked and the wheels are bent beyond repair, and the estimate is more than the cost of a new bike, so he is in the market for a new bike. Just to get an idea of what is out there, he would like to know what the most popular bikes at the Ironman were this year. I know that Triathlete magazine usually gives a rundown, and I thought that QR Man might know, as well. If anybody has this information or any other kind of rundown, he would be very appreciative, as he will be looking to make a purchase as soon as possible to get ready for two more races this season. Posts or e-mail are fine…I will check the group. In the meantime he will be riding my Cannondale (same cranks, same seat, same Airstrykes, but no STIs or aero wheels..it’ll do in a pinch). Hey, maybe this is a good thing….this might be my bike’s only chance to see what its like at the front of the pack 
. Any help is appreciated. Brad W.
QRMan has written articles on bike popularity for the last severl years. They are available on the Quintana Roo web page: http://www.rooworld.com I seem to recall a lot of popularity for suspended bean bikes last year. Non-suspended beam bikes seemed to be on the decline. 650c bikes are on the rise, and steep seat angles are also on the rise, unless I’m not remembering properly. Trek was still the most popular bike, but was bucking the trend, and in my opinion held the position solely because their bikes are just so common among all riders. Cannondale seemed to be losing ground, as I recall. I’d like to see how the bikes compare among the various categories and age groups. Do older riders prefer a particular kind of bike than younger riders? Do pros with unlimited budgets (at least for bikes) choose differently than amateurs looking for more value and versatility? These questions are not answered, but QRMan, to his credit, doesn’t skew his interpretations to favor his own products (at least not much). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi guys. I haven’t posted here in a while because…well, because I am slack and haven’t done a triathlon in over a year and a half. But, now I have a request for a friend, due to a recent bike incident. Seems he was on his way back from the NC Triathlon in Raleigh, NC, and a truck in front of their Ford Explorer lost a retread. Anyway, they couldn’t avoid it, and the tire went under the Ford and ripped the bike rack off the back of the truck, taking his Kestrel with it. The frame is cracked and the wheels are bent beyond repair, and the estimate is more than the cost of a new bike, so he is in the market for a new bike. Just to get an idea of what is out there, he would like to know what the most popular bikes at the Ironman were this year. I know that Triathlete magazine usually gives a rundown, and I thought that QR Man might know, as well. If anybody has this information or any other kind of rundown, he would be very appreciative, as he will be looking to make a purchase as soon as possible to get ready for two more races this season. Posts or e-mail are fine…I will check the group. In the meantime he will be riding my Cannondale (same cranks, same seat, same Airstrykes, but no STIs or aero wheels..it’ll do in a pinch). Hey, maybe this is a good thing….this might be my bike’s only chance to see what its like at the front of the pack . Any help is appreciated. Brad W.
Rick Denney Remember–free advice is worth what you pay for it!
[[ This message was both posted and mailed: see the "To," "Cc," and "Newsgroups" headers for details. ]] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am desparate for some help. I have had patellar tendonitis now for 2.5 – 3 months.. I am an avid triathlete. I just had major surgury on my right knee. Now I am having the tendonitis on my left knee. I assume that is from over compensation. I have done the rest, ice, massage, etc.. My medical doctor sent me for ultrasound and that made it worse from the wand going over the bone. He then gave me a coritzone shot near the tendon. At first it seemed to work. I went for a 10 mile bike ride and then ran about 1 mile the next day. Now I have the pain again. Can anyone help or point me in the direction that someone could help me. My summer is pretty much lost and I don’t really see any light at the end of the tunnel.
A post from Sept/2003: I have been battling with this for several months now and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a remedy?. Im not sure about other people who have this affliction but I find that it not only affects the quad tendon but causes crepitus, cracking on leg extension and sometimes pain radiating down the shin – can anyone concur?. Would aggressive icing every hour be an idea?. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. cheers, Alex
check out: http://www.mindfulness.com/of5.asp Compiled from two responses of mine to someone asking about what you asked about regarding the knee. Oz My folklore holds that if the fascia around a portion of one’s muscle is contracted, the muscle under that constricted sausage skin around the muscle can’t go through its range of motion. So that when you stretch you can stretch and overstretch the good muscle fibers not under the contracted fascia. If you overstretch that area, then the overstretched good muscle fibers join the muscle that is under the constricted fascia. Fascia letting go is similar to the feeling of when someone Indian burned your wrist by twisting it with their hands in opposite directions, like wringing out a washcloth. I use as my roller, a piece of inch PVC that’s about 16 inches long. I can lay on it and gradually let the muscles of the quad sink into it. Take three fingers and push hard on the shin bone and let those fingers slide down the shin bone hard enough that you can feel the friction. You can actually work off some of the fascia that’s holding unnecessarily. To experience the tightness of fascia, stand and rest the back of one of your hands on a table or desk. Leave the hand open. Push down hard on the back of the hand so that when you push your hand forward, it doesn’t slip because the skin is stuck between your table/desk and you pushing down on the back of the hand. With that pressure now, close your fingers slowly. You now get a sense of how fascia can hold. I have older people do this to their hands to loosen the fascia of the hand so the hand moves much more flexibly and easily. Regarding the rolling on the PVC, edge of a bench or just the hard floor, the idea is to get the muscle to let go and the fascia to release. Worked my my quads and IT Band last night as my back had that feeling that it was close to going into spasm. Our bed has a wooden bench at the foot of the bed, so I can lay on the bed with my quads on the edge of the bench and feet on the ground. I can go from side to side or slide down the entire way on one quad and then the other. Since I know the pain, I know the intensity that it will take to let that knotted area go. If you play with the rolling on the PVC,, or just use a hardback book under the quad as you roll the quad on the floor, as it first picture, the weight is on one quad, and the weight can be increased depending on the weight being carried on the two forearms and the front of the foot of the leg on top. To help, if you push the toe of the leg/quad on the book./PVC/hardfloor into the floor for 3 or 4 seconds, you’ll feel the quad contract. Hold it and then let it relax, often you can get it to relax even more. I’ll do that 4 or 5 times. Also at times I’ll jiggle the foot, more like a slight tremor than jiggle, of the quad on the ground to help get the muscle to let go. Rolling on a weight bar, with or without weights would work just as well. I also realize that in a gym, there are somethings like rolling on a bar with one’s butt up in the air that might be seen as suggestive, e.g. the second picture. One good place to roll the quads are on the edge of the concrete bench that is part of the concrete picnic tables found in many parks. Forearms resting on the table, quads on the bench just above the knees so I can slide the quad/quads down the edge to loosen the quad. When rolling in the gutter, I’ve had people stop numerous times to see if I was alright. That’s when I realized that you often don’t see a runner down and lying on the edge of a gutter and from the observer’s point of view, writhing in pain. One can buy the various size hard foam cylinders. I am just too cheap or may be more creative to use whatever is around. In health and on the run, Ozzie Gontang Maintainer – rec.running FAQ Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic, est. 1975 Mindful Running: http://www.mindfulness.com/mr.asp http://www.faqs.org/faqs/running-faq/
I am desparate for some help. I have had patellar tendonitis now for 2.5 – 3 months.. I am an avid triathlete. I just had major surgury on my right knee. Now I am having the tendonitis on my left knee. I assume that is from over compensation.
Hi, I’m just getting over patellar tendonitis that my orthopedist determined came from a muscle imbalance in my upper leg. I went for physical therapy where the therapists worked on increasing my muscle strength in the upper leg and loosening my very tight muscles in the same area. I never stretched in the past but I do (or make an effort to) every day. I hate it but I hate not running too. I don’t understand how a muscle imbalance could exist but it did in me. If you aren’t stretching or cross training then it might be a good idea to give it a try. I’m starting my way back to regular running. Good luck, Andy
I’m just getting over patellar tendonitis that my orthopedist determined came from a muscle imbalance in my upper leg. I went for physical therapy where the therapists worked on increasing my muscle strength in the upper leg and loosening my very tight muscles in the same area. I never stretched in the past but I do (or make an effort to) every day. I hate it but I hate not running too. I don’t understand how a muscle imbalance could exist but it did in me. If you aren’t stretching or cross training then it might be a good idea to give it a try. I’m starting my way back to regular running. Good luck, Andy
See a qualified chiropractor, he maybe able to help.
I am desparate for some help. I have had patellar tendonitis now for 2.5 – 3 months.. I am an avid triathlete. I just had major surgury on my right knee. Now I am having the tendonitis on my left knee. I assume that is from over compensation. I have done the rest, ice, massage, etc.. My medical doctor sent me for ultrasound and that made it worse from the wand going over the bone. He then gave me a coritzone shot near the tendon. At first it seemed to work. I went for a 10 mile bike ride and then ran about 1 mile the next day. Now I have the pain again. Can anyone help or point me in the direction that someone could help me. My summer is pretty much lost and I don’t really see any light at the end of the tunnel.
<< wand going over the bone huh? _______ Blog, or dog? Who knows. But if you see my lost pup, bring him back! http://journals.aol.com/virginiaz/DreamingofLeonardo \ - – //
The ultrasound wand.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – << wand going over the bone huh? _______ Blog, or dog? Who knows. But if you see my lost pup, bring him back! http://journals.aol.com/virginiaz/DreamingofLeonardo \ - – //
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I recently developed tendonitis on the outside of my right knee. I had been running around 50 miles per week in the summer and through college cross country, and was tapering down to 35 for the winter months. No large increases in mileage, no trauma, but some pretty crowned roads (in Maine). Since I got it, I have been running when I can (about 2 times a week, icing and taking anti-inflamms. I just wanted to know if anyone has any hints/suggestions on how to overcome (heal from?) tendonitis. Specifically, would I be better served by stopping running completely? Could this ever go away? Email replies, or to this group are fine. Thanks, Tyler Lupien My experience with tendonitis leads me to recommend that you religiously
follow the RICE system. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Also you should be able to tape the area to minimize movement. Look for at least a two week down time if you are dedicated.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I recently developed tendonitis on the outside of my right knee. I had been running around 50 miles per week in the summer and through college cross country, and was tapering down to 35 for the winter months. No large increases in mileage, no trauma, but some pretty crowned roads (in Maine). Since I got it, I have been running when I can (about 2 times a week, icing and taking anti-inflamms. I just wanted to know if anyone has any hints/suggestions on how to overcome (heal from?) tendonitis. Specifically, would I be better served by stopping running completely? Could this ever go away? Email replies, or to this group are fine. Thanks, Tyler Lupien
Tyler, Sounds more like Iliotibial Band Syndrome which can be caused by running on crowned surfaces. You can get some advice on how to deal with it under injuries on www.runnersworld.com. Hope this helps Rob
Hello, I recently developed tendonitis on the outside of my right knee. I had been running around 50 miles per week in the summer and through college cross country, and was tapering down to 35 for the winter months. No large increases in mileage, no trauma, but some pretty crowned roads (in Maine). Since I got it, I have been running when I can (about 2 times a week, icing and taking anti-inflamms. I just wanted to know if anyone has any hints/suggestions on how to overcome (heal from?) tendonitis. Specifically, would I be better served by stopping running completely? Could this ever go away? Email replies, or to this group are fine. Thanks, Tyler Lupien
A while back I was heavily flamed for raggin on the Deboom Brothers I said they were overated, yuppy boys..just curious what happened to them I just reviewed a years worth of triathlete and inside tri and saw nothing on them! Could I have been right??
I think I read one of them is on the U.S. Olympic team for 2000.
A while back I was heavily flamed for raggin on the Deboom Brothers I said they were overated, yuppy boys..just curious what happened to them I just reviewed a years worth of triathlete and inside tri and saw nothing on them! Could I have been right??
Both Tim and Tony are members of the USA Triathlon Resident Team domiciled at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. Both brothers experienced injuries last year, but are healthy now, and are training exceptionally well. Their first race will be the ITU Ishigaki, Japan World Cup to be staged April 13th. Steve Locke USA Triathlon
OK, I’ve bought the book, I’m reading the book, I’m doing the exercises, I BELIEVE, I really do! I understand what he’s saying, but I just don’t have the FEEL for when my buoy is properly placed, etc. Anyone know where the traveling Total Immersion Bus schedule is!?!!? I’m looking for the Baltimore/Washington DC area ASAP! Paul "Try-athlete"
Anyone know where the traveling Total Immersion Bus schedule is!?!!? I’m looking for the Baltimore/Washington DC area ASAP!
camp schedule. Coach Michael Collins Davis Aquatic Masters, CA DAM Home Page: http://www.pacificmasters.org/dam
Terry Laughlin’s address and camp listings can be found in most issues of Inside Triathlon.
Terry Laughlin’s address and camp listings can be found in most issues of Inside Triathlon.
also on the web. search yahoo for total immersion… — I swim…. therefor I am…. …wet. dan
Hey, anybody know anything about this race? Since Great North is no longer on my schedule, I’m considering showing up for this one this weekend, but I’ve seen precious little info about it in all the usual publications. The only place I’ve seen it advertised was in The California Schedule. It’s supposed to be a sprint distance in Aptos this Sunday, August 11. Is it happening? Anyone going, or have more info? Thanks– Tri-Baby _ – o ’ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft!" http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, anybody know anything about this race? Since Great North is no longer on my schedule, I’m considering showing up for this one this weekend, but I’ve seen precious little info about it in all the usual publications. The only place I’ve seen it advertised was in The California Schedule. It’s supposed to be a sprint distance in Aptos this Sunday, August 11. Is it happening? Anyone going, or have more info? Thanks– Tri-Baby _ – o ’ – __o – </_ ` ‘ – < – __/ /o_ – (()) (()) - / "REAL Triathletes don’t draft!" http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~brooksie
* * * August 11 1996 – Sunday Aptos: Sandman Triathlon (.5mS-15mB-4.5mR), 9am $40-indi.;($75-team) w/t-s, $50 ($90) w/t-s race day, limit 400; S/F Seacliff State Beach; S-ocean, B-loop, R-on beach, out/back. Santa Cruz State Lifeguard Assoc., 665 14th Ave. Santa Cruz 95062; 408/476-4992 from The CA Schedule: http://www.runningnetwork.com/Cal/ the run is on the sand. wes W. Weston Stander Silicon Graphics, Inc. (415) 933-3884
I did Sandman last year (my first in fact). It’s a mass start (400 max) for a half mile (ocean) swim. The bike is 15 miles, 1 or 2 good hills. The run is 4 miles or so on the beach. It’s a pretty laid back race…I had a good time. Rich
Hi Tricia – I think the people who run the Sandman have tried to temper the publicity for the sake of preserving its "local flavor." It’s a nice, laid-back, local race, well worth doing. I’ve done it enough times to lose count, and will be back this Sunday. If I see somebody matching your web pictures, I’ll introduce myself. Ron Williams San Jose
Thank you for all of the publicity!! Since my photo has been in your the pool and at the group ride!!! or something)…….and she is wondering when the BIG bucks are comming in!!LOL!!!! Thanks again! (for my 5 minutes of fame)!! Sam
Thank you for all of the publicity!! Since my photo has been in your the pool and at the group ride!!! or something)…….and she is wondering when the BIG bucks are comming in!!LOL!!!! Thanks again! (for my 5 minutes of fame)!! Sam
I just read the latest issue of Triathlete (in about 5 minutes) and then the latest issue of 220. Night and day. How is it that in a sport as exciting as triathlon Triathlete has such boring pictures and stories? Their obvious pro-drafting stance pisses me off too. -Terry
I am new to triathlon and I am planning on purchasing a new bike. The salesperson at the bike shop said that I should not get the STI shifters, but instead shifters on the aerobars. What should I do?
I am new to triathlon and I am planning on purchasing a new bike. The salesperson at the bike shop said that I should not get the STI shifters, but instead shifters on the aerobars. What should I do?
If you are doing races that allow aerobars or plan to leave them on your bike permanently, then get shifters on the aerobars. If you plan to do a lot of pack riding or road racing, then you’ll probably want the STIs. Pat W.Patrick Brug, Ph.D. _- -_ Los Alamos National Lab -__ __- / cis: 72410,3372 /
I am new to triathlon and I am planning on purchasing a new bike. The salesperson at the bike shop said that I should not get the STI shifters, but instead shifters on the aerobars. What should I do?
If you’re not already a solid cyclist, I’d say go with the STI. Using the aerobar shifters assumes that you’re comfortable with being down in the aero position a *lot*, and unless you’re already a good cyclist, that won’t be the case. If you’re riding more with your hands on the hoods, you’ll have a much greater reach to the shifters, and that’s a hassle. And, unless you’re a very top-level competitor, the time/aero advantage gained by the aero shifters isn’t going to make that much of a difference. Besides, Dave Scott uses STI, as do a number of other pros. Just my $.02. Good luck! Tricia "’Be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wise crack." "Y’know, I tried that once, but it didn’t snap back into place." —Katharine Hepburn & Eve Arden in "Stage Door" (1937)
IMHO, if you’ll be using the bike solely for training/racing time trials and/or triathalons, definitely go with the Aerobar shifters. I’ve used both and vastly prefer aerobar shifters..reaching over to the handlebars to shift costs time. HOWEVER, if you anticipate using the bike for other racing, recreational riding or other purpose where you won’t be on the bars the whole time, go with the STI.
Sam
(Imanatc) I am new to triathlon and I am planning on purchasing a new bike. The salesperson at the bike shop said that I should not get the STI shifters, but instead shifters on the aerobars.
Along with the sound recommendation below, there’s another reason why you might want to go with STI: cost. Buy the STI shifters now and later if you do become the better cyclist that can easily take advantage of the aeroshifters, you can pick up a set of regular shifters for next to nothing (usually from tri-geeks who DIDN’T buy STI/Ergopower in the first place! ;=) ) Tom
I am new to triathlon and I am planning on purchasing a new bike. The salesperson at the bike shop said that I should not get the STI shifters, but instead shifters on the aerobars. Along with the sound recommendation below, there’s another reason why you might want to go with STI: cost. Buy the STI shifters now and later if you do become the better cyclist that can easily take advantage of the aeroshifters, you can pick up a set of regular shifters for next to nothing (usually from tri-geeks who DIDN’T buy STI/Ergopower in the first place! ;=) )
yeah, remember, most of us are a long way from the pro level. if after awhile you find yourself in areo tuck most all of the time, get the areo shifters then. i have sti and syntace bars, and i love the bars, and i love the fact that not being that good a biker i am not shifting in a less balanced position suitable for those of greater abilities. also, i question whether there is any advantage to middle of the packers anyway for areo shifters. If i get stronger, and become a better (safer) biker i will get them then. right now i like have my hands on the brakes. why do i like the syntace? you can really grab that bar. it is strong. i find myself using it more and more, and maybe i will reach the point i want the areo shifters next year, on one of my bikes. i have the air wings on another bike, but that is my blue collar bike for long trips or to get stolen. on long trips on hot days that middle position is good, but i don’t see alot of good bikers on 25 mile races putting their hands their. / (mm) (mm) Frank Kalich, MA, MBA / \___// | Compuer Science Telecommunicatons Program | ( o o ) | University of Missouri, Kansas City | [ Y ] | | //www\ | | (ww) (ww) | | | | R.I.P | | FRANK KALICH | | Died of a | | Theory |
Yikes! In two weeks I’ll be competing in my third triathlon, but it will include an 1/2 mile ocean swim. I’ve done a 1/2 mile swim before in a lake, but I’ve never done an ocean swim. I’ll get to practice once in the ocean before the race. Any tips? It’s the Sandman Triathlon in Aptos – any hints from those who have done it before? Marilyn
I did a sandman once in Jax, Fla.! The key is getting out past the waves and staying out there! The one I did you start on the beach and then swim out past the breaking waves to a buoy and then swim up the beach to the second buoy and then ride the waves back to shore. The hard part comes when you accidentaly veer into the waves and get pushed to shore before rounding the second buoy. So keep an eye on that buoy, stay out there and swim hard!
Yikes! In two weeks I’ll be competing in my third triathlon, but it will include an 1/2 mile ocean swim. I’ve done a 1/2 mile swim before in a lake, but I’ve never done an ocean swim. I’ll get to practice once in the ocean before the race. Any tips? It’s the Sandman Triathlon in Aptos – any hints from those who have done it before? Marilyn
Marilyn, Yeah, get used to that wetsuit. And the ocean critters might scare you as well. One ocean swim is a must before you do the real one. There are currents, and the water is like ice. Good luck, as you can tell, I am not much of a swimmer…my least favorite part, especially in the COLD ocean!! Cheers, Linda