I have ridden the course alot, especially the loop, and have put a 12x25 cassette on my bike, with a 53/39 set of chainrings. There are 3 or 4 spots where I think simply spinning up the quick climbs is best...especially for that tricky run to follow. FWIW... I have decided to use my 700c road bike with STI and a set of Profile Aerolite clip-ons (with the more comfortable F-18 armrests) for this course and not my tri bike.

Good luck and we'll see you in Madison in September.

With 650 wheels, 11/21 on the back, 53/39 on the front is what I used, about the same as a 12/23 with 700's. If you like to spin up the hills staying seated add the next size up on the back. (Probably a good idea if this is your first) It's a constantly rolling course with only one short steep hill you do twice. I remember the second time up the one steep hill was less fun than the first.

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Irony can be humorous, but it does not have to be.

"I've always said that an Ironman is a reflection of your character" - Kevin Moats

what size wheels? unless you are HELLA strong i think you would do well to have a 25 for 700c or 23 for 650c with a 39. i have lived and ridden here in wi all my life and would not go over a 21 or 23 normally, but an IM is not a normal deal. consider r.strauss was like 4th in the 30-34 AG and is strong like a freaking ox and i believe he used a 23 on his 650 wheeled cervelo.

I've got a Saber with 650 wheels. A hed 3 on front and a Hed disc on back with a 21. Should I use the disc or get another Hed 3 from a friend that I can borrow? Thanks for the responses.

Yeah, I was curious about using a disk at IMMoo too. I'm kicking around the idea of getting a Renn disk before IMMoo. However, I wanted to hear what others think about using a disk on that course with all the hills.

Thanks,

Zeke

last year, i rode 700c wheels, with bart end shifting and bullhorns with a 53/39 up front and an 11/23 cassette. i found i had no problems on the hills (and yes, i do stay on the saddle and spin). i will add though that i train in cincinnati, which is at least as hilly as the ironman wisconsin course (and it's the same type of hills). the best bet is to find a cassette that's comfortable for your normal riding, and get used to it. it also helps that you have a cog or two at the top that you rarely use, they're nice to have 'just in case' (perhaps more for peace of mind than actually needing them). later

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mckenzie

I raced IMMoo last year on a 650c P3, 39/55, Hed3 front, Hed Disk rear. I went up in July to recon the course. I decided I wanted small gears for in the saddle spinning on one or two of the hills and a tight gear ratio for the fast flats. I came back with a hybrid cassette: I took the 25-23 cogs and put them on a 21-11 cassette. Hank at Edge did the tuning and it worked perfectly: 5:13, 19th OA bike split.

Bike handling and experience (or a plan) for riding rollers is just as important. This course is a BLAST and very techical. You can make up lots of time by being confident on your bike and climbing rollers skillfully.

Good luck,

Rich Strauss
www.cruciblefitness.com