Does anyone have any experience on which gear ratio would be the best for IMCAN? I’m currently running 11/25 and doing the local mountains here in Vancouver in the 2nd easiest gear. Still have 5wks of hill climbs in the training program but just wanting any feedback from past competitors.
53/39 – 11/25 or 11-26 is what I’d recommend.
Couldn’t ask for better advice I don’t think. Thanks!!
Puts me at ease a little also now.
While I haven’t done IMC yet, I did race the Desert Half in Osoyoos this weekend (over Richter Pass, the seven sisters, and back). I ran a 53/39 and a 12-27 and rode the course in 3:02 hrs. I was happy with my gearing and used them all. However, I’m thinking I may want an extra bailout gear for Yellow Lake. May run a 52/36 compact but still undecided. IMC 2012 will be my first IM and I’m taking a conservative approach.
There’s several old treads discussing this btw.
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=3487116;search_string=imc%20compact;#3487116
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=3473646;search_string=imc%20compact;#3473646
53/39 – 11/25 or 11-26 is what I’d recommend.
Dude, you are beyond, a stud. I have seen you the past two years at IMC. I wish I looked as good coming off the bike as you look on the run back into Penticton!
For us mere mortals, I would recommend 11-25 or 11-26 and a compact crank. My first year I did 53/39 crank and 11-28 cassette. It was plenty of gears (I needed them all), but, I was “missing” middle gears. Last year I used a compact crank and 11-25 and it was much better.
Speaking as a guy who avg’d 20mph overall (almost exactly) and weighed ~170 at the time, for reference… I used a 39/53 and 12-25 and never felt like I needed anything more at either end. Certainly, the downhills are big enough you don’t need an 11 since you can coast at 40+ anyway, and none of the uphills are very steep. The steepest (McLean) is real short (and still not super steep) so it was actually kind of a nice excuse to stand and ‘stretch’ a little, but Richter and YL are more like 4-5%. Personally, I feel like a little intermittent standing is nice just to break up the monotony, but I’d actually shift down to the 23 for those brief stints; otherwise a 39x25 was plenty to stay seated and smooth the whole way.
I am surprised with the simplicity of your answer.I would suggest that these gears are correct for YOU -with I guess a weight of 70 kilos , and an FTP of 350?? and world class endurance as evidenced by your superb results.You are very much unlike many of us.My 2 IM Canada times were 15 and 16 hours,but I am 61,weigh 90 kilos(despite lots of trying to lose)and have an FTP of 195.Definitely back of the pack.Nevertheless to spin up Richters or Yellow lake at 220 watts I have a compact 50/34 and a rear 11 /36 gear Yes 36!! Last weekend in Placid in the 34/36 gear up the steep hill on the out and back and up Big Bear 280 watts at 85 to 90 rpm.You know it is way easier to spin than crank up a hill at 50 or 60 cadence.SOoooo-the real answer is this-(1) how fit are you ??can you (or should you ),use more than your FTP for Yellow Lake??(2)How heavy are you and your bike??(3)assume a cadence of no lower tnan 70 but for safety 80 .For any prolonged hill climb,all you need is the % grade (6 or 7at yellow lake) and you can calculate the gear inches required.For those who have no idea about their power-less than 5 hour IMC bike,53/39 and 11/25,5-6 hr,compact with 11 25,6-7 hours MINIMUM compact with 11,28 or triple in front for those closer to 7HRS.7-8 hours ,all the gears you can get,triple or compact with long cage rear derailleur.If one cannot do the bike in less than 8 hours I would advise another shorter or much flatter race.In summary gearing is individual related to your weight,FTP and conditioning.If one does not know what gears are needed they ALWAYS need more.
I’ll second that motion. 53/39 with an 11-25 in the rear is fine for the climbs unless you really like to spin on the climbs. I rode that gearing in 2010.
I used an 11/28 cassette with 53/39 setup last year. . I used all my gears for yellow lake but I like to spin up hills! I’m a 5h15 min or so rider at IMC. I’ve used an 11/26 before but I prefer the 11/28.
Cheers
53/39 – 11/25
I don’t know the course . . . but I love the gearing!
I am surprised with the simplicity of your answer.I would suggest that these gears are correct for YOU -with I guess a weight of 70 kilos , and an FTP of 350?? and world class endurance as evidenced by your superb results.You are very much unlike many of us.My 2 IM Canada times were 15 and 16 hours,but I am 61,weigh 90 kilos(despite lots of trying to lose)and have an FTP of 195.Definitely back of the pack.Nevertheless to spin up Richters or Yellow lake at 220 watts I have a compact 50/34 and a rear 11 /36 gear Yes 36!! Last weekend in Placid in the 34/36 gear up the steep hill on the out and back and up Big Bear 280 watts at 85 to 90 rpm.You know it is way easier to spin than crank up a hill at 50 or 60 cadence.SOoooo-the real answer is this-(1) how fit are you ??can you (or should you ),use more than your FTP for Yellow Lake??(2)How heavy are you and your bike??(3)assume a cadence of no lower tnan 70 but for safety 80 .For any prolonged hill climb,all you need is the % grade (6 or 7at yellow lake) and you can calculate the gear inches required.For those who have no idea about their power-less than 5 hour IMC bike,53/39 and 11/25,5-6 hr,compact with 11 25,6-7 hours MINIMUM compact with 11,28 or triple in front for those closer to 7HRS.7-8 hours ,all the gears you can get,triple or compact with long cage rear derailleur.If one cannot do the bike in less than 8 hours I would advise another shorter or much flatter race.In summary gearing is individual related to your weight,FTP and conditioning.If one does not know what gears are needed they ALWAYS need more.
Actually, I ride IMC with a 54/42 – 11/23.
I’ve actually ridden the ENTIRE Ironman Canada course in the big ring.
So, the simplicity of my reply comes from the fact that I’ve ridden the IMC course probably 100 times. And I’ve been asked this question probably at least as many times. And I’ve always given the same answer.
Your answer is unnecessarily complex and unhelpful. If someone is coming to do IMC for the first time, I give them the standard answer. If they are the sort of person that wants to ride 90rpm the entire day, then yes, of course they’re going to need some different gearing. But I’m sure they already knew that.
In other words, if you ride a 50/34 with an 11/36, then I’m pretty sure you are also NOT the kind of person who asks “what gearing do I need,” because you’ve already decided. If you’re an outlier - which you clearly are - then don’t find it odd when people don’t account for you in their answer.
And, when you add in some nonsensical “you know it’s easier to spin than to crank at 50 or 60,” it just shows you don’t have any idea what you are talking about. What matters at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90rpm is power. And ONLY power. Whether you are at 50 or 90, the physiological way in which you generate power is identical. We’re not talking about 5rpm vs. 105 here.
If you insist on ridiculous gearing because you are petrified of a cadence lower than 70, you are going to miss out on gearing when it really matters, which is when you’re in the middle of the range for the majority of the ride.
50/34, 53/39 - whatever is on your bike. If you’re not strong rider, you should already be riding a compact. If you’re not, then you won’t need to switch for Canada.
11/25, 11/26. Both of them will be fine. Again, if you’re not strong or you like to spin, 11/28 will give you a bailout.
I prefer meat in the middle of the range rather than at the outsides. I’d rather be able to ride exactly the cadence that I want for 50min than worry about riding a cadence that’s a bit low for 50sec.
But the simple answer is that Canada is not a particular hilly course and it has almost no steep climbs. The only steep climb is 400m - McClean Creek Rd. - and even that is not very dramatic.
I gave the “average” answer, because it applies to MOST people. You and I are in the same boat. I’m FOP and you’re BOP. However, it seems that I realize that my gearing - 54/42–11/23 - is right for me but not for others. I would ask that you do likewise…
I am surprised with the simplicity of your answer.I would suggest that these gears are correct for YOU -with I guess a weight of 70 kilos , and an FTP of 350?? and world class endurance as evidenced by your superb results.You are very much unlike many of us.My 2 IM Canada times were 15 and 16 hours,but I am 61,weigh 90 kilos(despite lots of trying to lose)and have an FTP of 195.Definitely back of the pack.Nevertheless to spin up Richters or Yellow lake at 220 watts I have a compact 50/34 and a rear 11 /36 gear Yes 36!! Last weekend in Placid in the 34/36 gear up the steep hill on the out and back and up Big Bear 280 watts at 85 to 90 rpm.You know it is way easier to spin than crank up a hill at 50 or 60 cadence.SOoooo-the real answer is this-(1) how fit are you ??can you (or should you ),use more than your FTP for Yellow Lake??(2)How heavy are you and your bike??(3)assume a cadence of no lower tnan 70 but for safety 80 .For any prolonged hill climb,all you need is the % grade (6 or 7at yellow lake) and you can calculate the gear inches required.For those who have no idea about their power-less than 5 hour IMC bike,53/39 and 11/25,5-6 hr,compact with 11 25,6-7 hours MINIMUM compact with 11,28 or triple in front for those closer to 7HRS.7-8 hours ,all the gears you can get,triple or compact with long cage rear derailleur.If one cannot do the bike in less than 8 hours I would advise another shorter or much flatter race.In summary gearing is individual related to your weight,FTP and conditioning.If one does not know what gears are needed they ALWAYS need more.
Actually, I ride IMC with a 54/42 – 11/23.
I’ve actually ridden the ENTIRE Ironman Canada course in the big ring.
So, the simplicity of my reply comes from the fact that I’ve ridden the IMC course probably 100 times. And I’ve been asked this question probably at least as many times. And I’ve always given the same answer.
Your answer is unnecessarily complex and unhelpful. If someone is coming to do IMC for the first time, I give them the standard answer. If they are the sort of person that wants to ride 90rpm the entire day, then yes, of course they’re going to need some different gearing. But I’m sure they already knew that.
In other words, if you ride a 50/34 with an 11/36, then I’m pretty sure you are also NOT the kind of person who asks “what gearing do I need,” because you’ve already decided. If you’re an outlier - which you clearly are - then don’t find it odd when people don’t account for you in their answer.
And, when you add in some nonsensical “you know it’s easier to spin than to crank at 50 or 60,” it just shows you don’t have any idea what you are talking about. What matters at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90rpm is power. And ONLY power. Whether you are at 50 or 90, the physiological way in which you generate power is identical. We’re not talking about 5rpm vs. 105 here.
If you insist on ridiculous gearing because you are petrified of a cadence lower than 70, you are going to miss out on gearing when it really matters, which is when you’re in the middle of the range for the majority of the ride.
50/34, 53/39 - whatever is on your bike. If you’re not strong rider, you should already be riding a compact. If you’re not, then you won’t need to switch for Canada.
11/25, 11/26. Both of them will be fine. Again, if you’re not strong or you like to spin, 11/28 will give you a bailout.
I prefer meat in the middle of the range rather than at the outsides. I’d rather be able to ride exactly the cadence that I want for 50min than worry about riding a cadence that’s a bit low for 50sec.
But the simple answer is that Canada is not a particular hilly course and it has almost no steep climbs. The only steep climb is 400m - McClean Creek Rd. - and even that is not very dramatic.
I gave the “average” answer, because it applies to MOST people. You and I are in the same boat. I’m FOP and you’re MOP. However, it seems that I realize that my gearing - 54/42–11/23 - is right for me but not for others. I would ask that you do likewise…
Um, that is beautiful.
seriously.
continue on ST, continue on.
Depends on what kind of a rider you are… I did it last year with 53/39 and 12/28, and felt pretty comfortable the whole way (aside from some mechanical issues unrelated to gearing). I am a lightweight (6ft, raced at 150) higher-cadence climber. I would use that combo again if I were to do IMC again.
I asked the same question on here last year. The answer was 28/11 or think about a compact. I got cheap and did not go the compact route.
You may have heard the expression penny wise pound foolish, this was such a day. Considering it’s a cheap (less than) $200 solution.
As you did not include much detail about your abilites, weight, previous times age etc, let me add mine. Previous best on a flat course 5:07 the year before, 2:40 something at Peterborough, Ontario HIM), rolling hills. So according to experts, reasonable to expect 5:30 at IMC, so stick with the 28/11. Went out on the course a couple of days before and could not see what the big fuss was all about. Race day whole different story. I weighed 173 on race day (78K), lightest I have been in thirty years. Temperature was 35c, no clouds. If you are heat sensitive, take heed. BTW going round a lot of other bikes (unlike the Rappster) takes a toll. Yellow Lake hurts, (ended up on one leg, cramping), went 6:02 (with a bathroom stop at the top of Yellow Lake). Believe it or not the swim will have an affect on your bike…duh!
If you are any of these things,** get a compact**, spin up those hills and give yourself a chance to run the marathon, which is not as easy at it looks (from a car window).
If you weigh less, are younger, have bikie skills, and a great power to weight ratio, and regularly go sub 1:10 Oly, 2:35 HIM or 4:30 on a Century, go for it.
But for Gods sake take no notice of the Rappster, he’s done this course a hundred times and he wins the bloody thing, he has no idea how mere mortals perform!
ps Going up to Cypress is easy in comparison.
If you’re training the mountains of Vancouver, I suspect you’ll be just fine. I think it helps to know the course, and since you’re so close, I’d recommend getting to Penticton some weekend for a ride.
If you drive the course in your car, you’ll wonder what all the fuss is about, nothing to fear from the car window.
I’m not a strong rider, so I have to ride smart, I don’t have fitness or ability to miscalculate. But there are lots of ways to ride dumb, and pay for it later… like:
Going to fast to Osoyoos (beginning of race, flat, tailwind)
Not hydrating (Pee before Richter)
Not using downhill momentum to ride the 7 “bitches”
Climbing Yellow Lake. The road looks flat, but as soon as you’re done with the out and back, you’re actually on the climb. The tunnel vision you experience is real, as the Valley walls close in. 3 right hand turns look like the final climb, but they are not. Easy to get dejected here, as you notice loss of power, energy, desire. Ok, it’s not that bad, but it can be if you’ve ridden beyond your ability/training.
Downhill to Penticton. Cross winds can make the serpentine curves white knucklers. Hard to fuel or hydrate with both hands on the bars, but it’s still a long way back to town. Fuel up on the flats and the 2 or 3 climbs.
But most importantly, have fun. As Steve King said, “It’s not about the time you got. It’s about the time you had, while getting the time you got.” (or something like that) Good luck!
''So, the simplicity of my reply comes from the fact that I’ve ridden the IMC course** probably 100 times**. And I’ve been asked this question probably at least as many times. And I’ve always given the same answer. ‘’
Let me destroy your credibility here… let say you ride the imc course 2 times a week from june to august, that would be 12 weeks of 2 ride a week so about 24 rides a year. you moved in penticton in 2009??? that would at best but you at 96 times at the end of this summer. and of all those 96 times…i m pretty sure you skipped that little out and back inside the out and back. So not really the imc course…
So let just say you talk a lot… but very well know i m the only one that have riden the imc course 100 times.
Anyway, for those that want a repliable advice from someone that REALLY know what he is talking about (ME) get a 11-25, you should be cover for most situation and day on imc course…
.
''So, the simplicity of my reply comes from the fact that I’ve ridden the IMC course** probably 100 times**. And I’ve been asked this question probably at least as many times. And I’ve always given the same answer. ‘’
Let me destroy your credibility here… let say you ride the imc course 2 times a week from june to august, that would be 12 weeks of 2 ride a week so about 24 rides a year. you moved in penticton in 2009??? that would at best but you at 96 times at the end of this summer. and of all those 96 times…i m pretty sure you skipped that little out and back inside the out and back. So not really the imc course…
So let just say you talk a lot… but very well know i m the only one that have riden the imc course 100 times.
Anyway, for those that want a repliable advice from someone that REALLY know what he is talking about (ME) get a 11-25, you should be cover for most situation and day on imc course…
.
From what I’ve heard you have been inspecting the IMC bike course very closely lately…a little too closely perhaps…at high speed even.
I didn’t say I’d ridden the entire course 100 times or that I’d written it in it’s entirety 100 times. Since that might be too much nuanced English for you, let me clarify. If I ride from my house through the rollers in reverse and then also ride from my house to Osoyoos and back, that would effectively net me the course via two rides. Likewise, sometimes I only ride from my house and do the out-n-back. So, if you were to overlay all of my GPS tracks from rides in Penticton over the Ironman course, I’d bet that you’d get close to 100 total trips around the course.
So I’d say my advice is just as “repliable” as yours is. Especially since I’m pretty sure you’ve never big ringed the entire bike course. That counts for extra…
Ok, looks like this topic has been beaten to death, but for what it’s worth I rode the course for the first time last Monday. Like yourself, I was bit worried about gearing so I used a 53-39 / 11-28 and had plenty of gears. I did use the 39-28 but only a few times and when I really want to spin. You could easily get away with less but it depends on how strong a rider you are and how you like to ride hills. As a point of reference, I’m 6’2’', 165lbs, live and train in and around Vancouver (often riding Seymour and Cypress) and I enjoy long walks on beaches. Biggest piece of advice, go ride the course, it’s the only real way to put yourself at ease. Good luck.
I have raced course several time with bike times from 5:03 to 5:15, first time I used 11-23 with 39/53, next time my cassette breakes day before race and I use 12-25, this was much better, In my opinion an 11 on this course for most riders is wasted, going down hills tuck and rest don’t pedal.
My wife rode around 5:40 and she really liked 11-23 with 50-34
I think most people would be better off with compact gearing.