I am doing LP this year and am trying to decide what type of cassette to run. My tri bike has a 54/42 dura-ace tt crankset and my race wheels currently hold a 11x21 cassette which I used at St Anthony’s and will use at Eagleman. I have been told that a 12x25 or 12x27 is what most people want by for the last sections of hills on the LP course. Two questions:
Is a 12x27 compatible with the 54/42 tt crankset?
What’s the view on 12x25 vs 12x27? I am about 170 lbs, and usually ride 1:05-1:09 for Olympic distance and 2:30-2:38 for Half IM, depending on the course. I’ve been doing between 160-250 miles a week the last couple months including some hill repeats and long rides up to 100 miles. This will be my first IM.
What’s the view on 12x25 vs 12x27? I am about 170 lbs, and usually ride 1:05-1:09 for Olympic distance and 2:30-2:38 for Half IM, depending on the course. I’ve been doing between 160-250 miles a week the last couple months including some hill repeats and long rides up to 100 miles. This will be my first IM.
Yes.
I hope your bike is 650 wheels…? I share your Oly and 1/2 IM split times. I rode a 39x27 small gear at LP (700 wheels), and it was borderline too big. My fitness was probably questionable, but you seem to be getting well prepared. Still, I wouldn’t want anything taller than 39x27 on the bottom end.
FWIW - I rode the first lap up there in 3 hours flat, riding the 39x27 on every climb. I faded badly and went 3:22 on lap two. Keep doing those miles and that won’t happen to you.