Coming up on a month away from LA Triathlon. I’m hoping for around a 1:05 bike split (or better). If you know the course, do you think a disc will help or hinder?
It’s pretty flat with some rollers and a steep uphill near the end, not much in the way of turns. The disc should be faster. The road surface is, on the whole, crap so it may not be the most comfortable option though.
Steal a disc and ride away from the cops. Keau
I’ve done the race twice before and, yeah, I think it’s on the edge of whether a disc will help. I did IMAZ with a disc and the crap section of road there was pretty harsh - worse than the crap section at Bonelli, which I think is worse than anything I remember on the LA course. Thanks for your input.
I’ve done it twice too and I’ll be using mine, I think it’s bearable for 40k…although doubtless there will be some new potholes to discover along the way. Average speed and course profile wise it’s definitely disc territory although the savings over a deep or trispoke rear are likely minimal. Besides, I like the noise it makes 
You talked me into it! I love that sound, too, and just hearing it is probably good for 30 seconds improvement.
Unless you’re in M 30-34, then you should use a 300 spoke wheel with nobbly tires at 20psi for comfort
.
that made me spit my coffee ( ok its been a slow day here ), but wouldn’t 300 spokes practically be a disc? ( albeit heavy )
It’s a relatively fast course, even though it has elevation gain point to point. Remember that you are riding inland most the time, and you know which way the wind usually blows on the coast. Like others have said, very few turns, mostly flat to rolling, and a couple sprinter hills at the end. A lot less hilly that the Pacific Coast course, so if you like discs, then it definately a canditate for it. Personally I don’t use them anymore, the HED 3 gets most the aero advantage, and I usually make it up on my cornering. But then again I really press the turns to the point that a disc would slide out. If you are normally conservative on the turns, then you will reap all the rewards of the disc…I think I usually go about 1:01+ there, so you should be definately under 1:05, way under buddy…(-;
I’m an old fart in the 50-54 group. No worries.
Hey Monty - yeah, I wouldn’t use a disc at Pac Coast, besides the hills, a disc has too much inertia for clean maneuvering around all the mountain bikes! It only works for me where I can ride a fairly consistent pace - no accelerations - not too good at doing that. LA on your agenda?
a fast old fart though
.
if you’re sponsored/wealthy and get replacement discs often, then go for it, otherwise skip the disc and ride some heavy duty wheels since the ride between Venice and Downtown resembles Paris-Roubaix.
Steve
I did LA the last two years. It’s not that bad, nothing like that bad section at Bonelli. I rode 808’s. It gets little bumpy in some places. Anyway, I think you will be fine with the disc.
PS: Are you going with the disc on Sat?
Steve
If the surf is like last year you should kill the swim.
No disc for Pendleton Sprint. I don’t really know why except maybe I don’t have a tire for it right now and I’m too cheap to get one. You’ll be there? Let’s hook up, pre or post… whenever.
I plan to nail that swim, whatever the conditions. Last Sunday, some friends and I swam from Main Street Beach in Laguna to 1000 Steps - about 4 miles. It was the most awesome swim I’ve done. Didn’t even know about all the beautiful beaches along that section. Anyway, I’ll be in good swim shape for LA. My running, though… eh… survival time.
Steve
I’ll be there. I will be riding my Kalibur with my wife’s Zipp 606’s. We should be in the same bike rack/swim wave. I’m 55-59 and your 50-54. That swim sounds like fun…for you.
PS: I think Russ is racing.
I didn’t use a disc on that course last year only for one reason. My disc is a tubular. In order for me to keep the swim prime, I have to finish the course. I’m looking into getting a disc clincher for this year’s race.
Russ has a broken arm. I don’t know the details.