I had posted a guestion concerning using a standard tri bike versus a lightweight tri or road bike with STI and clip-ons a few weeks ago. Seemed like most went w/ the tri set-up. Any differences in opinion now that the race is over? I am signed up for next year and considering a Kestrel Talon SL or similar with STI and clip-on aero bars. What do say IM mooer’s?
Tri bike.
Any bike that is fast and COMFORTABLE so that your legs are not spent. It’s all about the run in an IM.
I wouldn’t buy a bike specifically for an IM. Buy a versatile bike and your riding style will adapt. What are you riding now?
I would go with a tri set up with cowhorns and bar end shifters disc wheel, full aero set up. I was riding with a couple Germans who were strong riders on road bikes. The would pass me on just about everyhill standing and working hard while I was spinning easy and saving my legs. On the downhill I would glide back by them due to superior aerodynamics. I was definately using less energy then them and going the same speed. Almost every hill is immediately followed by a downhill. There are a few longish flat sections where the aero setup is superior as well. I wish I didn’t bring only my aerohelmet because it was hotter than forcasted and my head was frying.
It may be a wash, but with all the turns and hills the road bike worked well for me. One huge tip for everyone is when you get to the rollers after Mt Horeb–put it in the big ring at the top and sprint down (not so hard you acid up) but fast enough so you can coast half way up the next climb. I passed people doing 6mph while I was still at 30 mph and it made that last 100 feet pretty easy. I think your proposed setup would be fine.
Bottom line: Did you run better than the two germans? 
No, they were animals.
BUT I did run a 3:27 which is a PR and good for the 23nd best run split on the day overall.
I have been riding an Elite Razor at about 77 degrees w/ profile bars and zipp 909’s for the past two years, including 2 fairly hilly 1/2 IM’s with good success and comfort. Sounds like I should stick with this set up. I do need to ride this long however, since I have not gone longer than 60 miles on this bike. Thanks for the input.
But who runs best is ALWAYS the bottom line Congrats on a very good split, you’re definitely under 3:15h material on a cool day, pretty good
.
Thanks.
I knew there was going to be some tough competition when Mike Reily announced before the race that 25 Germans were doing the race. Those boys generally show up for one thing.