I am contemplating which bike to ride for IMFL. I have narrowed it down to either my QR Tiphoon or my Kestrel Talon. Right now my Talon is set up as a road bike but I have considered throwing some cowhorns on it along with some aerobars and bar-end shifters. My wheel choices are either HED Alps or HED Disc/HED 3 combo. Any thoughts from those experienced with riding either bike long course or for that matter any thoughts from those experienced IM athletes? If knowing my size helps in the decision making process, I am 5’10", 195 lbs, bulky frame.
As a side note, I am also considering a QR Lucero but I am wondering if I can achieve the same effect of carbon fiber forgiveness with my Talon.
I would suggest that the predominant factors influencing your perception of the bike’s ride quality are likely the wheel choice, tire choice, saddle, handlebars, stem, fork, seatpost and pedal/shoe interface.
Those items actually have more to say about what you feel from the bike than does the frame material. The fit is also a huge factor, and small differences in position will account for big differences in your perception of how the bike rides.
I’m quite familiar with the course in light of IMF and Gulf Coast 1/2. Fit being equal (i.e., relatively comfortable) on both bikes, I would without a doubt use the QR. I would also go with the disc/HED-3 combo. This is a fast course that is largely flat. Some minor rollers mid-course plus one intercoastal bridge. You will be in your aeros cranking this course about 99% of the time. It can get windy, but unlikely over 15 MPH. This course screams tri-bike as much as any course ever has.
I ride an aluminum QR with HED-3 rear and HED 60 front - for IMF I rode HED-3s all around. Glad I did. I am close to your weight, but a bit taller. Weight is not an issue on this course, at least not on the bike. The Lucero is sweet, but you already have two very fine bikes. The roads at IMF are fine enough not to worry about vibration, if that is your concern (and thought re: carbon). They are not perfect, but I do not recall every saying “wow, harsh ride”. Use a seat slip cover and make sure your aerobar pads are relatively new and you will be fine.
PS. My road bike is Ti, and muhc nicer bike all around, but I would still use my QR for this course.
Discs were made for IMFL. Hed 3 on front is gravy. Not much decision needed there.
As for bike, Tom’s nails it. If you were running, say…DA 10 on the Kestral vs. Ultegra 9 on the QR, I’d go with the Kestral. Really depends on what you are most comfortable with.
Position is a totally different topic. As noted, you’ll be aero virtually the entire race. This opens up all sorts of issue with fit (sore back, neck, etc). You MUST be comfortable for the long haul. Since the QR is 76 degrees, I’d imagine you could achieve a similiar position on either bike. I’m not so sure bullhorns/bar-end shifter will make a big difference as you won’t be shifting very much, nor will you be out of the saddle.
Perhaps give LB’s position a shot on your Kestral?
For this course in particular, attention must be given to bike weight. During miles 15-55 there is a relentless rise to almost 8 feet above sea level with virtuallly no relief. Many successful IMFL racers have stopped at the mile 14 porta pottys to “lighten the load” for the ascent. Bike handling and stability for the screaming descent is another consideration. I would weigh both bikes carefully and go with whichever one you think looks best.
Yeah…good call…such a tough climb as that…I would go out and find the “disk” wheel from a Schwinn ‘Johnny G Spinner’ and let the 70 some odd pounds act as a fly wheel to keep you moving, they are a bitch to accelerate - but once you are going…
as others have stated, the course is very flat and aero is key. now that also depends on how good of an aero position you can get and how comfortably you can maintain the position. all things equal, the tiphoon would be the better bet, but if you ride more effectively and more comfortably in an aero position on the talon with the shallower angle, by all means, use that instead. i don’t think you’d go horribly wrong with either choice. stick with the most aero wheel setup you can run. pay little mind to the component group…you won’t be shifting all that much on this course like you would on LP or Moo. overall, the road conditions should be pretty good, except for a several mile stretch of rough pavement i recall came up around mile 70 or so. other than that, as long as your position is comfortable and aero, you could ride a sora-equipped aluminum bike and not lose a whole lot of speed on a course like IMFL.
Tibbs did not “start” TSR…he was the first to get something, and in return was the first to give something (the Giant) to another…I think it may have been Monks idea…
I thought that Tibbs had his signature line mentioning TSR before the Giant was given away and before Monk joined slowtwitch. Didn’t Monk only join the board in 2004. I think that TSR goes back further than that at least to the summer of 2003?!?
I used to love Tibbs sig line ~“Team second hand racing, sponsored by the masses, racing for the hell of it”
BTW i loved the sig live you had as Record9 ~“Damn hurry up, is your brake pad rubbing?”
I just checked to see how long Monk has been on the board:
Jun 22, 2004, 8:51 PM
He could not have started it becasue i remember Cathy Morgan having pics from the World toughest triathlon last year (earlier than Monk joining) with everyone holding TSR signs.
BTW I guess tommorow is the first annual “Monk-day” Monk’s slowtwitch birthday. There should probably be a thread aobut this tommorow.
Take the less comfortable bike, otherwise you might end up falling asleep and crashing. Ok I am joking but I do know a German guy who did exactly that - fall asleep on the bike and suffered some nice road rash.
