One of my goals for IMCDA this year is to keep my bike clean and not looking like a pack mule. I have been strugling with where to stick my nutrition (gels and bars) and have been looking at teh bento box route. While looking at bike sites it dawned on me to just wear a small fanny pack and put it on in T2.
I have an old Nike one that I used to use for Marathons, its sporty, slim and easy to take on and off.
Has anyone done this?
Nina Kraft used to use one, not sure if she still does-
.
Nina Kraft used to use one, not sure if she still does-
pffftt…what a poser, road bike, clip ons, no aero helmet…
.
I think that was back in 2001. She used one until 2004, I don’t know if she uses one since her comeback.
Seems like it might be a booger to get into and sort of “cut” you at an uncomfortable place.
I thik I’d be more exctied about some type of top-tube mounted Bento-Box thingy or pockets on a tri jersey or both.
Remember- there is an aid station every 5 miles on the bike at Ironman. Doesn’t help you with training much but just a thought. Look for the new Dark Speed Works bag the company owner has discussed on this forum recently too.
I use a spi belt for training.
i used a fanny pack for olympics when i started doing tris - no problems. i didn’t have gels or anything back then - i just stuck in a baggie full of jujubes and whatever else i thought was important back then. (honestly, it was ridiculous - probably my ID cards and some duct tape or something.)
-mike
it dawned on me to just wear a small fanny pack and put it on in T2
I’m thinking if it’s bike nutrition you want, that boat sailed if you put the pack on in T2.
What’s wrong with tri jerseys with back pockets? You can get plenty in there. That an a bento box. I ride a 48 cm frame bike, there aren’t that many options, but I do fine with a bento and back pockets.
@Tom - Aid stations are typically 10 miles apart on IM bike courses for the most part.
My husband and I have used them off and on for ironmans and halves for 10+ years. Easy access and no threat of falling off if you hit a bump. You can pin your race number to it too. Ours is an old desoto one, light, big enough, and perfect for its use. Try tin some training rides and see how you like it.
Seems like it might be a booger to get into and sort of “cut” you at an uncomfortable place.
I thik I’d be more exctied about some type of top-tube mounted Bento-Box thingy or pockets on a tri jersey or both.
Remember- there is an aid station every 5 miles on the bike at Ironman. Doesn’t help you with training much but just a thought. Look for the new Dark Speed Works bag the company owner has discussed on this forum recently too.
Thanks Tom, a couple of things:
I have looked at Bento Box style things and also the Dark Speed Works bag, it just boils down to using something I already have.
I am going to try on my long ride this weekend to see how it exactly works.
I plan to use 95% on course nutrition, but like to have a “special bar” and a couple of gels just to break it up a bit, so I wont be carying that much.
it dawned on me to just wear a small fanny pack and put it on in T2
I’m thinking if it’s bike nutrition you want, that boat sailed if you put the pack on in T2.
What’s wrong with tri jerseys with back pockets? You can get plenty in there. That an a bento box. I ride a 48 cm frame bike, there aren’t that many options, but I do fine with a bento and back pockets.
@Tom - Aid stations are typically 10 miles apart on IM bike courses for the most part.
I wear a LG tri top and there are two skinny, long pockets on each side. One is for my tube and the other for my flat kit.
Willing to hear all/any suggestions.
And yes, I messed up, I meant T1. By T2 I would be mighty hungry!
Careful, the term fanny pack has a WHOLE different meaning in some parts of the world…
(edit: I didn’t see your post above.)
While certain bento boxes may make your bike look like a pack mule, testing has shown that most bento boxes actually measurably reduce your bike’s drag. While a fanny pack may also work for carrying stuff (although I would hate to have one around my waist for 100+ miles), I very much doubt that it would reduce your aerodynamic drag. More likely, it would significantly increase your drag. If you want to take a look at a new and very well received (ST thread here) bento box-type top tube pack, one that was made with improved aerodynamics as its primary design focus, take a look at our link below.
it dawned on me to just wear a small fanny pack and put it on in T2
I’m thinking if it’s bike nutrition you want, that boat sailed if you put the pack on in T2.
What’s wrong with tri jerseys with back pockets? You can get plenty in there. That an a bento box. I ride a 48 cm frame bike, there aren’t that many options, but I do fine with a bento and back pockets.
@Tom - Aid stations are typically 10 miles apart on IM bike courses for the most part.
I wear a LG tri top and there are two skinny, long pockets on each side. One is for my tube and the other for my flat kit.
Willing to hear all/any suggestions.
And yes, I messed up, I meant T1. By T2 I would be mighty hungry!
Tape your flat kit under your saddle, if you get creative you can fit it all under there, and use the pockets for your nutrition.
A fanny pack is awesome for bike special needs. Grab it like a musette bag, keep moving, strap it on, get what you need when you need it. Nice to put spare tube, CO2, food stuff, electrolytes, etc.
I have an old small Tinley fanny pack that I used in the '80’s for Ironman races. I was comfortable and crried enough of the food I liked for the race. I really had no complaint and it was low enough that I doubt it was horribly non-aero. Sitting up to get stuff out probably was, but sitting up for a short time in a 112 time race is probably a good thing for most of us. B ento box seems to work just as well.