Hello everyone,
I have a few questions about my position on my Scott plasma 5 and my equipment:
https://youtu.be/T_6IPOmD1WU
My concern is that I feel my cda is quite bad, but looking at my position I have a hard time finding the best things to change.
Last IM I did around 5h20min bike leg. FTP is around 300 (80kg/181 cm or 177lb/5’11), but I can’t know what was my NP during the race because my powertap broke down again. I feel like I did maybe 190 W average (pretty low, but I had been sick the past 4 weeks)
- Aerobars extensions : It’s a second hand bike, and the extensions have been cut quite short (315 mm) Although it might look OK on the video, having my elbows on the pads mean my hand are basically not holding anything. Last Full IM was very rainy and in order to be safe I had to move my elbows quite a bit backward in order to get a good grip with my hands. I want to buy either the basic extensions (t5+ profil design 380mm), or the Zipp Vuka with either 70mm or 110 mm stack which looks much more comfortable to me... however I don’t have the possibility to modify the incline of the rest pads so 110 might be too much. They are also quite expensive in my opinion.
- Pads: The basic pads are very slippery whenever I start sweating or the weather is rainy. F35 pads TT version appear to be a solution, but maybe you guys have better advice?
- Saddle: I’m using a specialized Power, but it becomes quite uncomfortable after 3h+ ride. Is the Specialized sitero really better for a TT position? The both have split noze.
- Shoes: those are antic Northwave carbon tri shoes. They must be around 10Y old but still work great, I don’t know if there is a lot of aero gain to be made here.
- Kit: using a Zerod TT singlet and Ishorts. Those are comfortable and convenient if you have an emergency during the race…but looking at the race pictures it seems that I always have huge wrinkles around my stomach. Should I go for a single piece tri suit?
- Wheels: Easton 38mm front and back with tubular. Ideally I would go for a 60mm front / 80mm or disc in the back, but considering my level I think the gain would really be ridiculous for the money spent.
Any thoughts on what I could improve? My goal is to spend only money if it really is useful, gaining 10 secs for $1000 over 180km is not what I am looking for. “Don’t spend anything, train harder and lose some weight” is also something I’m ready to accept if it’s the solution.
Thanks for reading!
I have a few questions about my position on my Scott plasma 5 and my equipment:
https://youtu.be/T_6IPOmD1WU
My concern is that I feel my cda is quite bad, but looking at my position I have a hard time finding the best things to change.
Last IM I did around 5h20min bike leg. FTP is around 300 (80kg/181 cm or 177lb/5’11), but I can’t know what was my NP during the race because my powertap broke down again. I feel like I did maybe 190 W average (pretty low, but I had been sick the past 4 weeks)
- Aerobars extensions : It’s a second hand bike, and the extensions have been cut quite short (315 mm) Although it might look OK on the video, having my elbows on the pads mean my hand are basically not holding anything. Last Full IM was very rainy and in order to be safe I had to move my elbows quite a bit backward in order to get a good grip with my hands. I want to buy either the basic extensions (t5+ profil design 380mm), or the Zipp Vuka with either 70mm or 110 mm stack which looks much more comfortable to me... however I don’t have the possibility to modify the incline of the rest pads so 110 might be too much. They are also quite expensive in my opinion.
- Pads: The basic pads are very slippery whenever I start sweating or the weather is rainy. F35 pads TT version appear to be a solution, but maybe you guys have better advice?
- Saddle: I’m using a specialized Power, but it becomes quite uncomfortable after 3h+ ride. Is the Specialized sitero really better for a TT position? The both have split noze.
- Shoes: those are antic Northwave carbon tri shoes. They must be around 10Y old but still work great, I don’t know if there is a lot of aero gain to be made here.
- Kit: using a Zerod TT singlet and Ishorts. Those are comfortable and convenient if you have an emergency during the race…but looking at the race pictures it seems that I always have huge wrinkles around my stomach. Should I go for a single piece tri suit?
- Wheels: Easton 38mm front and back with tubular. Ideally I would go for a 60mm front / 80mm or disc in the back, but considering my level I think the gain would really be ridiculous for the money spent.
Any thoughts on what I could improve? My goal is to spend only money if it really is useful, gaining 10 secs for $1000 over 180km is not what I am looking for. “Don’t spend anything, train harder and lose some weight” is also something I’m ready to accept if it’s the solution.
Thanks for reading!