Yesterday I went to check out the road where my kid’s next race will take place. The road is OK but it will cross three towns with exactly 30 speed bumps (some are more like small walls). I checked yesterday my kid’s jumping form on speed bumps and he can clear them safely. I have also seen the two other kids that can win the race and they will jump each and everyone of those bumps, of that I am sure.
He was very succesful on his first three races last week on his 60 mm Stingers and he wants to use them on this race. I am not so sure how they will stand up to bunny hopping. I am very interested in experienced user’s opinions but the last word will be on Andy as I will not allow the wheels to be used over what the manufacturer considers within the wheel’s capacity.
The course is slightly up hill but a long break away is being considered by my son so that is the reason that he wants to ride on his Stingers. It is a a race for the State Championship so it is an important race.
I would make certain to only bunnyhop as high as necessary, rather than as high as possible. You may need to true those hoops after those bunnyhops. How many spokes?
Make certain your child practises technique. I would practise with a set of aluminium hoops.
For those of you who are looking at my response in astonishment, don’t as many of you ride carbon wheels on some pretty pocked-up roads. With the child’s weight (121#), it should not be an issue. It’s not like this kid’s going to go stunt riding, and if they are 650c wheels, they are more than strong enough. If those wheels would cave under a few bunnyhops, then there’s some serious issues…
I would not be concerned about the wheels, but I would ne more concerned with the tires. I rode on my Stingers last year & at one event “Guelph Lake” there are speed bumps. The bumps are more like ramps really & the reckless kid in me tries to catch as much air time as possible off each speed bump.
It strick me after the race that I’m not 12 anymore & 165 lbs crashing down on race wheels may be not such a great idea. However, the wheels suffered no ill effects.
Best wishes for your son, I am sure he will do well.
I agree with the other poster. I bunny hop obstacles all the time on my road bike at high speeds even (Litespeed Vortex) with Ksyrium SL clinchers. Rims are always fine, but I did manage a rear pinch flat once doing it. I usually run about 100-110 psi and I weight about 155-163 lbs (depending upon season).
I’ve bunny hopped only a few times (emergency) on my Zipp 404s (tubular) on my tri bike with no ill effects. If he is clipped in and done right, I don’t think there will be any problem, but I’d run the tire pressure up to the limit and PRACTICE.
I agree with most the posts – Wheels will be fine. BUT…
Make sure he is competent at bunny hopping – Keep the tires straight (many have a tendency to swing out the back tire) – Land with both wheels at the same time - land at a 90 degree angle bike to the ground (not landing on the side of the tire) – Make sure he lands with pedals at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, keeping knees bent and elbows bent and have the body take the impact.
Tires - you did not mention Clinches or tubulars – Clinchers - make sure you have good tire pressure (100 to 110) and the bead is seated perfectly. Tubulars - double check the glue and then check it again. Do not go too high on the tire pressure with tubulars - (120 to 130 – NO 170) – Even with him being light - I would still go with 23 mm tires.
Other things to consider:
Remove rear waterbottle carriers, Do not use a front aero-water bottle – go with a frame mount cage and make sure it is tight.
Spare tube, patch kit, etc. – Make sure it is extra strapped down.
Go over the bike Before and After the race - tighten ever sigle bolt - 30 jumps will cause a lot of vibration and can loosen everything from Chain Ring bolts to the seat post.
Tighten the cleat screws - if you have a tension adjuster on your pedals (like Look) - increase the tension just a little.
Make sure he knows - Safety first - not only for himself but others around him.
I am just trying to figure out why someone would have a race for kids with 30 speed bumps in it. Could you imagine the furor if they did hat at the pro level???
The Malibu Triathlon has a whole series of speed bumps for about a mile(?) going in and out of the transition area. I bunny hopped a few of those, but it was usually easier just to dive for the gutter and ride around it. This meant that I had to sprint around a few people in between the bumps.
For a road race, this might not be that possible or practical if he is in the pack, and it would also depend on how wide the speed bump is, where he is, etc. I would think that bunny hopping the bumps would slow him down a little. If you have a whole pack slowing down to bunny hop some bumps, it seems like it could get a bit dicey unless all of them are skilled at it.
I got the green light from HED´s Tech Honcho. It seems that a carbon rim is not at a greater risk than an Al rim. He will use them tomorrow.
My son and I checked most of the bumps closer. I think that he will do OK. Not all need to be jumped in a bunnyhop and I doubt that he will be on a big peloton, he is a triathlete just too young and inexperienced in road tactics to ride like that.
I see some very good advise in this thread. Just as an example (good advise Sparticus) his Arundel chrono bottle came flying out of the cage practicing some jumps. He will still use it, but it will be taped until he passes the towns with the bumps.
To my surprise the pace of the race was much slower that expected. My son came in fourth in a very tight sprint to the finish line. I saw him jump some speed bumps at high speed close to the finish line. It was incredible to see such a tight peloton of young kids jumping on road bikes at the same time. He hit a top speed of 64.9 kph according to his computer and he mentioned to me that they are the best set of wheels he has had. I am glad I bought them. Something else is that he will be able to use the 90 mm rear in those triathlon events that do not allow a disk.
