Looking at Silverman Half..Road or Tri Bike?

Triathlon Forum
1

Looking at Silverman Half as a cap to 2009 season. Obviously the bike course is a challenge for someone from elevation challenged Houston.
I have Titanium Tri Bike with Aero wheels etc. Also a Merlin Agilis roadie with compact cranks and power tap. I can swap out mytraining wheels for either Campy Eurus road wheels or use a Hed 60 on the front and Hed 90 on the back.

Would appreciate any feedback

thanks,

fal7 in Houston

2

I did Halfmax out there last October, not exactly the same course, but pretty darn close. In my very-much-not-an-expert opinion, either type of bike would have worked well. I rode my tri bike, as my only road bike is a beginner bike set up for city commuting. I guess in the end I would go with whichever bike is the better of the two. There are some long climbs where a light road bike could make some serious time, but there are also lots of long sections where you can get very aero. A real mixed bag.

Not much help, I know. Ah hell, go with the tri bike. It’s not ALL hills. Just mostly.

3

Also did Halfmax in 2008 on a Litespeed with HED3s. Same course except for the last 10 miles. It’s rolling, but I found lots of opportunities to be in aero. of course, I only have the one bike, so…

4

having seen that course on TV, the top guys were all on tri bikes and im pretty sure that would be the fastest option, if you are comfortable climbing and descending on your tri bike.

if not, the road bike might be a lot more pleasant. I would run the deep aero wheels either way. Hed Jets aren’t heavy, and aero is good.

=)

5

Also did Halfmax in 2008 on a Litespeed with HED3s. Same course except for the last 10 miles. It’s rolling, but I found lots of opportunities to be in aero. of course, I only have the one bike, so…

X2

Brad

6

Did it this past year on my road bike. Hills weren’t an issue. The wind was intense though. I would do the tri bike with semi-deep wheels and hold on for dear life during the crosswinds.

7

I have done the Silverman Half the last two years and both times on my P3C with a tri spoke and disc. There are several sections on the way out where you can really fly and the very last drop into T2. Yes there are some climbs and there has been wind but I would pick the tri bike every time. Either way it is a tough ride.

/SloppyB

2008 Bike Split: 2:55
2007 Bike Split: 3:00
2007 Calif Half: 2:32

8

Did the 2007 full on a P2C, older Zipp 404 on the front and a clincher, box-rimmed training wheel tech-support lent me when my rear tire blew up coming out of T1. (My first race photos with reflectors on my rear wheel.) With the hills and my size the quick release couldn’t keep the rear wheel from getting pulled into the wheel cuttout or chainstays and I had to stop to reallign four times. I still had the second fastest amateur bike split, granted that was a 6:02. Patience may be more important than equipment on that course. Pull the computer and power meter off and ride by feel.

I’d stick with the tri-bike. The hills are generally longer and the wind is the biggest issue on a lot of the course. Hills are hills but itt is so frustrating when your crawling along a flatter or slightly downhill section with the wind in your face. It is nice tto be able to tuck into the aerobars.

9

TT bike, 404/808 or 60/90 is perfect. After this years race I wouldn’t use anything deeper than a 404 / 60 front if you want to stay on the road!

10

I did the full last year on a tri bike with compact crank. I’d stick with a tri bike. It is hilly, but not too technical and I was in the aerobars a good proporation of the time. I also used 303s and I’m glad I didn’t have anything deeper. The crosswinds were brutal coming out of T1.

Good luck - it’s an awesome race!

11

I used a road bike (52/38) with 40mm wheels. I would have been better off with a steep tri-bike.

All through the Lake Mead area, very nice.

It was the bike trail with the 3 sisters and the neighborhood routes with gusting headwinds that were chitty.

Overall use the most aero setup as possible.

12

Thanks for the reply. After reading posts Pretty much thought I would go with the tri bike and compact cranks using the 60/90 combo.

Thanks again

fal7 in Houston