Don’t know how to post polls, or if that is even possible, but…
What are you guys preferred method to have the watch on you (specially for a smooth T1 transition)? Specially in a wetsuit scenario, as it’s probably the trickiest one?
Swim cap method hasn’t been the go to method since the watch companies figured out how to put in a proper open water swim mode.
Not Sure which company was first, but we’re talking Garmin 910xt time period.
I go with a quick release but I don’t have my 920xt on during the swim. The way I look at it, my swim is my swim. I’m not going to stop mid-swim to check my pace.
I just have the band on during the swim. When I rack the bike in T2 I just grab my 920xt and put it on the band while running out of T2.
Regular wrist for me. I’ve heard too many horror stories about quick releases failing and someone losing a watch in the water.
I was excited about the quick release until I wore it and saw how much it raised the profile of the Fenix 3 and that it hid the HRM. I wore it once and then it went back in the box where it will stay until is sell it off with the watch.
I wear a sleeveless wetsuit so no issues. I see people wear them all the time but I do wonder if the watch catches on the sleeve as you are trying to pull down the suit.
920 around the wrist with regular strap. Wetsuit usually comes out easily with it still on but have also taken watch off running to t1 then putting it back on when wetsuit is off my arms.
Worked through 310, 910, and 920 on QR. On swim exit, I unclip the watch and hold it the hand with the band on. I pull the sleeve down and over that hand then replace the watch on the QR. The carry on as usual. Once settled on the bike, off the wrist and on to the bike with the watch.
Might sound difficult, but like anything, it’s easy in practice.
910 before the 920 as well underneath the wetsuit, on the inside of the wrist ready for extensions use, kinda “loose” that I can turn it around on the run. (Combined with the older roka maverick pro which has the inside textile you can even see if the watch is on or not, not the time but that I don’t need during sein anyway.)
Quick release builds to big and can drop the watch during swim.
I used to use a 910XT with quick release. I wore it on my wrist for the swim, transferred it to the bike mount once I was out on the road and transferred it back to my wrist before I headed into T2. It makes sense to move it around when you’re out on the bike and not have another thing to do in transition. I found this very acceptable.
While I never had any problem with the watch coming off the 910XT quick release, I was always a little nervous during the swim. I did once get out of the water to find it had partially rotated in the wrist mount. However the quick release did make the 910XT considerably more bulky on the wrist. I was willing to accept that since the 910XT was a sports only watch.
Then I got a 920XT as a birthday gift so I started using that as my primary watch. The 910XT now lives on the bike and I keep the 920XT on my wrist. During races I hit the lap button on the 920XT coming in and out of transition but other than that I mostly ignore it and only look at the 910XT while I’m out on the bike.
Unlike the 910XT, the 920XT can be used as a day to day wristwatch. The bulk of a quick release would not be acceptable to me under these circumstances. If I didn’t already have the 910XT, I’d be inclined to get the cheapest model of Edge bike computer that met my requirements so I could leave the watch on my wrist but still have my data in front of me on the bike.
I was excited about the quick release until I wore it and saw how much it raised the profile of the Fenix 3 and that it hid the HRM. I wore it once and then it went back in the box where it will stay until is sell it off with the watch.
I wear a sleeveless wetsuit so no issues. I see people wear them all the time but I do wonder if the watch catches on the sleeve as you are trying to pull down the suit.
I wear a Fenix 3, and long sleeve suit. I cut a bit of the cuff off to make it easier to get my hand/wrist out. But still pretty much have to go into Hulk mode so I don’t end up wrestling with myself on the way into T1. When it does get caught I look like an escaped mental patient struggling in a straitjacket.
If you do go QR system, make sure you’re using it correctly and are aware of the potential of losing your watch inadvertently if it falls out of the QR if it’s not fully secured.
Here’s a thread of folks bemoaning losing their $400 watch
I put a few rubber bands on my wristband as a kind of extra strap. I have used electrical tape to do the same thing. I have also used sandwich bag ties. Not terribly aesthetic or sleek, but…
If I didn’t already have the 910XT, I’d be inclined to get the cheapest model of Edge bike computer that met my requirements so I could leave the watch on my wrist but still have my data in front of me on the bike.
Yep, watch on wrist entire race and a Garmin Edge 200 on the bike for me
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Regular wrist. I’ve never had an issue with taking my wetsuit with my watch on
No watch for the swim, I don’t really see the point. My bike has a computer on it and I leave my running watch in my running shoes, put it on while I’m leaving transition.
I have the fenix 5, no issues with pulling a wetsuit off. I use it to upload all race data. My bike PWR computer is for display purposes only.
No watch for the swim, I don’t really see the point. My bike has a computer on it and I leave my running watch in my running shoes, put it on while I’m leaving transition.
same. the data from open water swims is relatively useless.
the data from open water swims is relatively useless
I wear it on the swim for 2 reasons. First, it’s just something else I may forget in transition. Second, is for a time alert. The distance of the course probably isn’t perfect, but I have a goal time in mind, so I’ll set a time alert for half that time. If it buzzes and I’m significantly short of the halfway point or something, I need to pick up the pace.