Is it me or Nice 70.3 course will be pretty good for road bike…
After a lot of internal debate and input here and from other experts, I decided on TT bike. I did a couple TT bike test rides a couple weeks ago on a route similar to the Col de Vence profile. I determined that I can climb easily on my TT bike at 8% - 10%. And I was not going any faster on the descents than I was comfortable on my TT bike.
Is it me or Nice 70.3 course will be pretty good for road bike…
No. Having done the old Nice course, a tri bike is far better choice. Put away the road bike…
disc or no disc ?
TT for sure. But, drive/ride the course at least once and leave your disc wheel @ home.
By default, I’ll be on my roadie. I’m racing Traverse City 70.3 this weekend and will be flying with my tri bike there. Unfortunately the overlap won’t allow me to ship via TriBike Transport. I’m honestly perfectly fine with it but I also want to enjoy the trip entirely so this race is purely a few hours of exercise.
disc or no disc ?
Wheels or brakes? I don’t see any reason a disc wheel would not be ok, as IMO it gives more stabilization on the rear wheel. The only reason to not use it would be weight on the climbs if that’s a concern. Disc brakes might be a help but not really imperative.
Duh- sorry.
Good point.
Wheel.
I am a lite weight so …
I did the test event last year on a TT bike and felt it was a bad decision (and for ref I’m usually more FOP level on the bike). The full IM has more flat and rolling sections so a TT bike makes more sense but the half distance basically has only 8km flat at the start and end of the course otherwise it is straight up and then straight back down again. If I were to race it again I’d choose a road bike with more of an ITU type set up with some deeper rim wheels and short aero bars. Disc brakes even better especially if it is wet as the descent, whilst not being hugely technical has some nasty, high speed corners that you don’t want to get wrong as well as some pretty choppy road surface in places. Also whilst the roads are in theory closed that will not stop some cars getting on the course in both directions! In my view better position and more confident handling is going to help you and save you more time over the course than aero gains. Have fun, it is a brute!
Duh- sorry.
Good point.
Wheel.
I am a lite weight so …
I raced at 151 and never felt a rear disc was a negative in any race and actually helped stabilize the rear. I’m sure you’ll get differing opinions, but I always loved a disc. My current frame will not accommodate one, so I go as deep as possible. Have fun; it’s a beautiful place!
disc or no disc ?
Wheels or brakes? I don’t see any reason a disc wheel would not be ok, as IMO it gives more stabilization on the rear wheel. The only reason to not use it would be weight on the climbs if that’s a concern. Disc brakes might be a help but not really imperative.
ggeiger: Thanks for the thoughts and vote of confidence on running a disc wheel at Nice. I tried my new disc wheel a few times on solid climbs/descents in the last week, and it felt good/stable (and at ~1005 grams (Roval 321) doesn’t feel too heavy) I’ll likely run the disc in Nice if they allow it.
I did the test event last year on a TT bike and felt it was a bad decision (and for ref I’m usually more FOP level on the bike). The full IM has more flat and rolling sections so a TT bike makes more sense but the half distance basically has only 8km flat at the start and end of the course otherwise it is straight up and then straight back down again. If I were to race it again I’d choose a road bike with more of an ITU type set up with some deeper rim wheels and short aero bars. Disc brakes even better especially if it is wet as the descent, whilst not being hugely technical has some nasty, high speed corners that you don’t want to get wrong as well as some pretty choppy road surface in places. Also whilst the roads are in theory closed that will not stop some cars getting on the course in both directions! In my view better position and more confident handling is going to help you and save you more time over the course than aero gains. Have fun, it is a brute!
You explain pretty well what my setup will look like in two weeks, and why.
