1X should be fine. I've ridden around there enough on a 1X road bike. 48t front, 11-32 out back.

Nothing in LP is *that* steep. It's just relentless pedaling with very few breaks.

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Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

doesn't this somewhat depend on the riders ability to generate power and his weight ?

Are you sure a 200lb rider with a 180 FTP would be ok on an IM ?

I never rode LP but they wouldn't be OK at Tremblant for example

You should be fine as long as you have a 30 or 32 on the rear. The back half of the 2nd loop will be traumatic no matter what gearing you choose...have fun!

180 Watts could certainly be your target power for the bike leg at 200lbs, and in that case it's a borderline gear choice. For a 5% grade at 200 lbs with a 48-32 gear ratio you'd need to push 211 watts to grind away at 68 rpm.

Good resource for customizing this math for yourself - https://www.bicyclegearcalculator.uk/derailleurgears.htm

That is a great resource, thanks! FWIW, I am ~150 lbs and suspect I will be somewhere in the ball park of 190-200 watts.

Is there a single speed category?

exactly.

A 180 watt target probably means your FTP is in the the 275ish range if you plan to ride at 65%.

I forgot this is ST and everyone's FTP is 400 :-)

I've been saying for years that there should be a road bike category in triathlon

Also considering this — when do you think you start getting in trouble with a 1x at Placid?

Would a 56 front 10-33 rear on the bike be unwise for someone in the 220-240W range for a typical Ironman?

If that 56T is a 1X set up...yeah, that probably ain't it.

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Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

56x33 low gear would be unwise for anyone who plans to go below 9 mph on the climbs, even just on the ramps. You want to be able to spin at all times, whether or not you actually do. In a 56x33 you’ll be grinding away cross chained at speeds ~<9 mph taking away any gains from the 56t or the 1x.

Thanks - that was my suspicion... Looks like 2x it is. Thoughts on a 56/43 with 10-33? Seems like that would get be up a 8% hill at 250W at 70rpm in the 43/33.

Other option would be a 50/37 - but I worry I might want more for the downhills. I prefer a lower cadence 70-75.

I got along fine w/ 36/25 as my easiest gear last time I did Placid, 43/33 is a lot easier than that, so it'd probably be fine. Most of the downhills in Placid are not really pedaling situations in any case.

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

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