I was just re-checking the feature on ST about the bikes of the top 15 finishers at Hawaii Ironman last year and something struck me. Not one of them - male or female - is using a rear disc. Nobody. This really surprised me.
Why is this? Is it that windy on Kona? Is the climbing enough that they want something lighter? Some other reason?
because discs are not allowed
its probably a silly rule, but then I hear the wind does get insane there.
But I’d be more scared of my Jet90 front wheel there than my disc cover
Illegal.
Is that something specific to Hawaii only? Do certain Ironman races not allow discs?
Is that something specific to Hawaii only? Do certain Ironman races not allow discs?
just hawaii i believe. due to the insane winds
IM Canada too, or was that rule changed in recent years? I have been meaning to find that out as we are going there this year.
the winds would play a factor aswell
.
I think discs are allowed at IMC - i blieve jonnyo rode a 808+disc cover a couple years ago.
In that case, can anyone here who has done Ironman Switzerland confirm that they allow discs?
I’m doing it this year and was planning on bringing a disc. I read everything I could on the site and could find no prohibition but I’d like to hear it from someone who has done it.
I can email the race people but prior experience with them has taught me that I might have to wait weeks for a reply…
I’d call it safe to assume that unless it’s explicitly called out on their website - you should be safe with a disc.
Failing that - just go hunting out past years race pictures.
I did IM Switz. 2006 , take your disc!
Cool thanks!
I just went through a lot of IMSwitzerland photos from last year. Not one bike had a disc. Joe usually rides his disc and he didn’t, so I assume there might be a rule against it. I would check into it with the race authorities to be certain.
I just went through a lot of IMSwitzerland photos from last year. Not one bike had a disc. Joe usually rides his disc and he didn’t, so I assume there might be a rule against it. I would check into it with the race authorities to be certain.Not sure how hilly that course is but Switzerland is not lacking for mountains. Perhaps weight?
There were definitely a few moments last year at Kona where I felt a little unstable, particularly descending from Hawi with the crosswinds. I was using 404/808. My understanding was that the winds were a little worse than usual but not too bad. So, it’s probably a pretty good rule to keep everyone safe.
but how much of that was the 404 up front vs the 808?
I propose someone fly me to hawaii where I will investigate this in depth over a few weeks!
=)
There were definitely a few moments last year at Kona where I felt a little unstable, particularly descending from Hawi with the crosswinds. I was using 404/808. My understanding was that the winds were a little worse than usual but not too bad. So, it’s probably a pretty good rule to keep everyone safe.
in '07 I was using and H3 rear and a 60mm HED front, a few miles back from Hawi, I got hit by some fierce sudden side gusts, one of which lifted my bike off the ground. I don’t know how I didn’t go down. I had to ride the bullhorns for several miles. It was scary. I think it is the suddenness and severity of the gusts that causes the problems.
I just went through a lot of IMSwitzerland photos from last year. Not one bike had a disc. Joe usually rides his disc and he didn’t, so I assume there might be a rule against it. I would check into it with the race authorities to be certain.
Yikes. Ok, I’ll email them. If they don’t allow them, that would truly suck.
I propose someone fly me to hawaii where I will investigate this in depth over a few weeks!
Wouldn’t work, the winds are different in October. I have only been to IM Kona 16 times, but I would testify that the crosswinds can and have been very bad a number of those years. One year athletes were literally being blow sideways off their bikes. Since it is hard to predict which year the winds will kick in, the rule is justifiable. Many years the winds will not pick up until a hour or two after the race starts. In these years it really pays to be fast out of the water.
thats fine, fly me there in october!
I propose someone fly me to hawaii where I will investigate this in depth over a few weeks!
Wouldn’t work, the winds are different in October. I have only been to IM Kona 16 times, but I would testify that the crosswinds can and have been very bad a number of those years. One year athletes were literally being blow sideways off their bikes. Since it is hard to predict which year the winds will kick in, the rule is justifiable. Many years the winds will not pick up until a hour or two after the race starts. In these years it really pays to be fast out of the water.