Been reading slowtwitch for some time now, thnx for all the info! About time I ask you for some help. I'll try to be as specific as I can be, and provide you with all the info needed. Need more, let me know :)
I'll start with some generic info, questions will follow further down :)
Generic info
1,5 years ago, I started triathlon. Well actually, I started learning how to swim.... Did my first 1/4 in march 2016, followed by 3 more 1/4's (2.06 fastest time) and 3 x 70.3's in 2016. Highlights were Ironman Pescara 70.3 and Halve Challenge Amsterdam-Almere. IM Pescara 70.3 got the swimtime nullified due to the fact that the swim got cancelled because of the thunder/storm/wind (after I was in the water - I finished the swim). Challenge Amsterdam took me 5 hours in hot weather and 2 months after our daughter got born. Think I would be able to do a 70.3 in about 4:50 at this moment.
Run times:
PR on semi marathon is 1.21:20
PR on marathon is 3.09:11
This years best is 1.24:21 on half marathon
Bike times:
Been slow this year. Did Bilzen111 triathlon a month ago with avg of 36km/h. Guess/hope Frankfurt will be in the 34-36 range.
Swim:
Intervals at 1.35/100mtr
3km in pool (25 mtr, wetsuit) in 1.50/100mtr.
This year I'll do Ironman Frankfurt 140.6 (9th of July), and I'm not sure how to cope with hydration.
I ride a FSM Chrono, which basically is a open mould frame used by a lot of small brands. Pictures below. I ride a M (think 54), fitted with SRAM Force 10sp, SRAM RtC shifters, FSA NEO PRO Carbon 54/42 crank, Ron Wheels Disc and FFWD f6r front wheel. The brakes (trp) suck, that's why I'm on rims with alloy braketracks.
Picture:
Question 1 - BTA / Hydration
This is the plan for IM Frankfurt:
1 x aero bottle on the downtube (SIS sport drink)
2 x cage behind the saddle, 1 x tools/tires 1 x 750ml SIS sport drink (when empty, replace with water provided at aid station)
1 x BTA --> this is the problem. The BTA I have now pretty much sucks (Bontdrager, unknown type). It splashes, moves, and takes a lot of space. It's not only horizontal, but vertical as well.
So I'm in the market for a new BTA solution, but there are a lot of choices (which are not all available in The Netherlands). Reading Slowtwitch let me to believe that a horizontal BTA is virtually aero neutral. And even if a small penalty is to be expected, it's not the end of the world (I need to drink anyway).
Basically there are two systems I'm interested in:
What do you recon: what BTA should I get? And have you got other options/recommendations?
Question 2 - the fit
On the picture above is my current config. The picture below is a bit older. In the picture below my seat is too high (seriously). I changed from a 172,5 crank to the 170 crank shown above. Furthermore I dropped my saddle about 5mm (making a total change of 7,5mm):
Since dropping my seat I ride more comfortable and it feels easier to deliver power.
Would you change anything else given that:
a) my seat is allready down now
b) my sadle can't move forward
c) arm pads can't go back, nor more inwards
d) I won't be buying a new bike now (next one will be fitted better, prob a size down. Interested in Premier Tactical and Trek SC, not based on measurements, just on reviews and my expectations about aeroness)
e) new tri-suite (with short sleeves and zipper in front) is allready ordered
f) a new helmet is not really a option. I really like this one, and budget is a bit low after last 1,5 years of investing in tri-stuff :)
Any low hanging fruit I'm missing?
Question 3 - bento
I would like a solid/hard bento box on my top tube, but I can't find any available in The Netherlands (at least, not a generic one, just Trek stuff).
Anybody knows a good, available, bento box option? Must hold 5+ gels/bars.
I'll start with some generic info, questions will follow further down :)
Generic info
1,5 years ago, I started triathlon. Well actually, I started learning how to swim.... Did my first 1/4 in march 2016, followed by 3 more 1/4's (2.06 fastest time) and 3 x 70.3's in 2016. Highlights were Ironman Pescara 70.3 and Halve Challenge Amsterdam-Almere. IM Pescara 70.3 got the swimtime nullified due to the fact that the swim got cancelled because of the thunder/storm/wind (after I was in the water - I finished the swim). Challenge Amsterdam took me 5 hours in hot weather and 2 months after our daughter got born. Think I would be able to do a 70.3 in about 4:50 at this moment.
Run times:
PR on semi marathon is 1.21:20
PR on marathon is 3.09:11
This years best is 1.24:21 on half marathon
Bike times:
Been slow this year. Did Bilzen111 triathlon a month ago with avg of 36km/h. Guess/hope Frankfurt will be in the 34-36 range.
Swim:
Intervals at 1.35/100mtr
3km in pool (25 mtr, wetsuit) in 1.50/100mtr.
This year I'll do Ironman Frankfurt 140.6 (9th of July), and I'm not sure how to cope with hydration.
I ride a FSM Chrono, which basically is a open mould frame used by a lot of small brands. Pictures below. I ride a M (think 54), fitted with SRAM Force 10sp, SRAM RtC shifters, FSA NEO PRO Carbon 54/42 crank, Ron Wheels Disc and FFWD f6r front wheel. The brakes (trp) suck, that's why I'm on rims with alloy braketracks.
Picture:
Question 1 - BTA / Hydration
This is the plan for IM Frankfurt:
1 x aero bottle on the downtube (SIS sport drink)
2 x cage behind the saddle, 1 x tools/tires 1 x 750ml SIS sport drink (when empty, replace with water provided at aid station)
1 x BTA --> this is the problem. The BTA I have now pretty much sucks (Bontdrager, unknown type). It splashes, moves, and takes a lot of space. It's not only horizontal, but vertical as well.
So I'm in the market for a new BTA solution, but there are a lot of choices (which are not all available in The Netherlands). Reading Slowtwitch let me to believe that a horizontal BTA is virtually aero neutral. And even if a small penalty is to be expected, it's not the end of the world (I need to drink anyway).
Basically there are two systems I'm interested in:
- BTA with just a normal bottle, so I need to buy a system that fits my aerobars and holds a 750ml bottle. Would need to hold my garmin as well. I read good things about XLAB Torpedo Kompact (€ 55,00).
- BTA with a 'special' bottle, with a straw. I think I would prefer this over the BTA with a normal bottle. Drinking while staying aero seems favourable, all though filling up the BTA on the fly would take some (non aero) time as well. Might be a neglectable effect. Thinking about the XLAB Torpedo 200 or 500 (€80,00 and € 150,00, which is a lot of money to hydrate).
What do you recon: what BTA should I get? And have you got other options/recommendations?
Question 2 - the fit
On the picture above is my current config. The picture below is a bit older. In the picture below my seat is too high (seriously). I changed from a 172,5 crank to the 170 crank shown above. Furthermore I dropped my saddle about 5mm (making a total change of 7,5mm):
Since dropping my seat I ride more comfortable and it feels easier to deliver power.
Would you change anything else given that:
a) my seat is allready down now
b) my sadle can't move forward
c) arm pads can't go back, nor more inwards
d) I won't be buying a new bike now (next one will be fitted better, prob a size down. Interested in Premier Tactical and Trek SC, not based on measurements, just on reviews and my expectations about aeroness)
e) new tri-suite (with short sleeves and zipper in front) is allready ordered
f) a new helmet is not really a option. I really like this one, and budget is a bit low after last 1,5 years of investing in tri-stuff :)
Any low hanging fruit I'm missing?
Question 3 - bento
I would like a solid/hard bento box on my top tube, but I can't find any available in The Netherlands (at least, not a generic one, just Trek stuff).
Anybody knows a good, available, bento box option? Must hold 5+ gels/bars.