It’s pretty hard to talk me out of my disc, 909 set-up… (IMFL 2002 - rain, IMW 02, 03 - hills, etc)
Any thoughts from a few IMLP vets?
Although…if last years weather comes in…I’m sure that will warrant a rear 404.
Assuming good/mild conditions, good choice? (As I don’t have a good read on the inclines from the vert charts)
thanks
fli
Heh, the vert charts give the impression that you need crampons and a pick axe. Going 404’s myself, only because I lack other options.
112miles of free speed potential…sounds like a no brainer to me
Disc
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This is a tough one to answer. Most people ask about one of the heavier discs for LP and I always say leave it home. The Zipp disc is lighter than most other race wheels but the 404 is lighter still. You will be spending more time going uphill than down. How comfortable are you descending at around 55mph? The 404 might cost you a little on the downhill but you will gain it back on the return to LP, leaving you with fresher legs. I have 404's and a Renn disc. For me the choice is easy; ride the 404's for LP. For you, you'll have to buy the 404 rear, it's a tough choice but I'd stick with the disc.
I rode 404’s last year at IMLP and this year I was able to buy a Zipp disc so I’ll be riding that with a 404 up front. I’m hoping that the trade off between being more aero vs. the weight difference will be worth it in the long run. The disc is nothing but free speed!
Thanks for the input folks.
As it turns out, someone is driving my bike out there…so I can throw my extra rear 404 in the truck. I’m confined to mailing a box, so the rear wheel decision is made a week early.
All conditions looking good, I’ll ride the disc.
I’ve heard offline that LP is more suited for a disc than Wis…steepness of the hills, I suppose. To me, it was a no-brainer.
As for 55 mph decents. I really try to stay within the IM rules and brake when my computer says 45. Yea right!!! ;o)
If you are over 160 lbs, disc regardless of conditions. If you are sub 140 Zipp 404, front and back. If you are in between, it’s a toss up based on your experience descending at >50 mph with 30 mph crosswinds. An extra 3 min on the 180K bike is only useful if you stay out of the ditch. You can make up the 3 min with quick T1 and T2. Just look at the ultra lame transitions times from 95% of the field and you’ll understand what I am talking about. Sometimes in Ironman, it is better to be a bit more conservative on all aspects of the bike to ensure you can get to the bike in running shape. If you hit the pavement, then you might have to limp the run.
I am leaving the disc home this year. I used it last and regreted it. I had a 404 on the front and it was too much to handle. I weigh 150.
I have 303s this year on the front and rear. The part of the course that will kill you for the run is the hills. The disc won’t get you up the hills. I am happy to give up a couple minutes per lap to not have to worry about fighting the bike. Of course, if I were a front of the pack competitor, I would probably have a different opinion.
The problem with the course is that the weather report won’t help you. It can seem calm in Lake Placid on race morning and you can easily have a killer cross wind on those hills in the afternoon. They don’t call them the High Peaks for nothing.
Ajfranke,
I weigh 170 do think that will matter? I plan on a Zipp 909 & a 404 front.
My guess is that at 170 the weight of the disc won’t matter. The question is your bike handling ability. My bike handling ability is much better this year than last, so maybe I should stick with the disc this year. It won’t be the first time I have made a bad wheel choice.
If you have to brake on the hills, I think you are kidding yourself to push for an aero advantage. You will easily lose 2:00 on the Keene hill if you can’t handle your bike.
I have seen articles from Cobb and others saying a disc on the back is not a handling problem. Maybe they are right, but as an MOP I have decided to go for the conservative choice in favor of not having to risk fighting the bike in bad weather. If you are gunning for a 10 hour or so IM, you certainly don’t need any advice from me.
Note that they have been a bit unlucky in Lake Placid in that they haven’t really had good weather for any of their races up there.
Thanks for the input…I’m hoping for 10:40-10:45. That wind killed me last year.
Art, In '99 the weather was PERFECT. I wasn’t but the weather was.
Good Luck this year, Stick with your 303’3
fli,
This will be my 1st LP, but I have plenty of other IMs including hilly ones like IMC. I also would like to think it is possible to do times like you are predicting (also possible to be a good bit slower :-)).
Quite frankly from my experience and from science and the experts, I don’t even understand the debate. The fact is that the disc is faster under virtually all conditions. In fact, the windier it is, the more faster the disc will be b/c that is when the sail effect kicks in. If you are worried about handling, get a 303 or something for the front; but, by all means use the disc.
All that being said, it did cross my mind to throw the Corima 4 spoke in the car just in case (of what I have no idea!).
See you there, have fun, and good luck!