I want to improve my bike for IM Louisville. Along with training (I own and use a KK trainer), I have about $400 and was wondering what the best use of this money would be? I have a Javelin Sizzano- stock parts (whatever wheels and Shimano 105-9sp) and SPD Shimano pedals. On a HIM, I average 17mph and hope to keep this for the full. Things I have considered:
Bike fit- I have never been fit; just followed advice about ideal angles, then adjusted till I was comfortable. So far I have no serious discomfort, max. 80mi so far. Also, I have heard a lot about Bike Sport Michigan and was wondering if it would be worth the 4-5hr drive to have one done there? How good/much better are they?
Pedals/shoes- I was not sure if these would make a significant difference. Read a good article about Time RXS and would probably go with these if I do change.
Wheels- this seemed the most obvious but also a little outside my price range. I could possibly find something used but was not sure if they would make a difference given my average bike speed?
EPO, seems that all the good cyclists are using this stuff. Wait, maybe that’s not funny…
helmet for sure (best bang for buck everywhere I’ve read)
disc cover from wheelbuilder? not sure the benefit at that speed
used 50-60mm aero wheel from eBay? again not sure of the benefit at that speed, but its better than a blank
+1 for the GOOD fit. Only go somewhere you know you can trust though. Some bike shops charge a lot of money and the fitter doesn’t know much. ST probably has a list of all their FIST certified shops.
If you average 17mph in 1/2IM events, you probably won’t be able to hold that speed for a full, unless you really want to suffer on the run. Your pace could be as much as 2-3 mph slower.
For the money, I’d recommend finding a good coaching plan to up your bike performance. Tailor the plan so that you will know a sustainable pace that allows you to run afterwards. Train to stay in the aerobars.
Then consider an used aero helmet that has great ventilation. From what I’ve read, a good helmet offers similar returns as aero wheels. And…since it may be very hot, very humid at IMLOU that time of year, consider NOT using it.
Fancy bike parts are seductive, but it sucks to be passed by the old-school roadies or the $1200 tri-bikes.
How about for a roadbike to be used in a triathlon. Aero helmet, rear wheel cover, aero bars??? In that order and how beneficial would they really be?
Aero bars always come first.
17mph may be a bit ambitious. I did the 1/2IM on little bike training (re: run miles>bike miles). I re-worked my schedule to be bike focused instead of run focused and hope it makes a difference.
Thank you for all the suggestions, I had not thought a helmet would make that big a difference. Any thoughts on good helmets? I have looked at the Giro Atmos or Ionos- specifically for the ventilation they offer. Are these aero enough?
Generally speaking the more holes the worse aero with helmets. When people recomend helmets to improve aero they mean the long, pointy dorky ones. A few have some vents but very small and few.
Phantom took away post.
2x on wheels and disc. Nice set of used fp60’s ( all I could afford) helped me gain 4 mph in oly distance with some extra training too so all in all probably helped half that. Did buy a disc cover to try this year. A lot cheaper than Disc and can be taken off in case of winds. www.wheelbuilder.com
17mph may be a bit ambitious. I did the 1/2IM on little bike training (re: run miles>bike miles). I re-worked my schedule to be bike focused instead of run focused and hope it makes a difference.
Thank you for all the suggestions, I had not thought a helmet would make that big a difference. Any thoughts on good helmets? I have looked at the Giro Atmos or Ionos- specifically for the ventilation they offer. Are these aero enough?
I purchased a Giro Ionos when they first came out as I have a “hard to fit” size head. At the new on-line sale pricing, it makes for a good lid at a really good price point. IT IS NOT an aero helmet, however. Lots of vents, lots of cooling. But, if you are riding in the 15-17 mph range, and in the heat of IMLOU, don’t worry about it. If you can ride at 20-24 all day, then worry about it.
Some figures I picked up last year in terms of “aeroness” and time saved, over a 40km TT (or an approximate 1-hour high-speed ride):
Standard road bike riding on the hoods – let’s say it takes you an hour. Approximately 24.5 mph.
Standard road bike riding on the drops the whole time = 9 minute savings, same output.
Riding in aerobars or a reasonably aero TT bike = 10.5 minute savings (approximate) over riding on the hoods of a standard road bike (not that big a difference, no?), same output.
Riding with an aero helmet = 1.5 minute savings. $100 used.
Aero wheels = 1-2 minute savings. Big cost.
But, go too hard at an IM-distance race on the bike for even five minutes = 20 minutes lost on the run. I guess since you’ve got a good bike plan now in place, make sure you find a sustainable average pace for the 6.5-7 hours you’ll spend on the bike (lots of eating, too), so that you can run effectively after. Best of luck!
