On a very short (<10k), flat bike course, and HR through the roof since you’re hauling it full gas the whole time, why don’t Superleague triathletes just wear their running shoes on the cycling leg and save fiddling with getting in/out of cycling shoes on the bike? Is there that much to be gained in such a short distance w/being able to pull up on the pedals that it offsets the mucking around? Or is it a sponsor thing? Thoughts? From someone racing a super sprint in a few weeks who’s still torn over which pedals to bring…
Yes there is a ton to be gained by having the full pedal stroke. The question should be have you practiced flying mounts and getting in and out of your shoes while at pace on the bike? If not, you got 2 weeks to get that practiced.
Over the years triathletes and duathletes have dabbled with cycling in running shoes, usually with some sort of pedal platform on their bikes. More recently I’ve seen one or two mixed triathlon relay teams do it and I think in the very early days on SL a few athletes tried it. Not sure if there is a specific rule against it now but although Neom was flat and not technical the other courses do require frequent out of the saddle accelerations, I don’t think running shoes would provide the same level of power transfer.
Yes, there is quite a bit to be gained from being attached to the pedal (ex. try to sprint out of a corner on platform pedals)…but old school clips and straps get you 95% of the way there, while eliminating a shoe change. My understanding is that cycling in running shoes and clips/straps is not allowed in SL or ITU.
Yes there is a ton to be gained by having the full pedal stroke. The question should be have you practiced flying mounts and getting in and out of your shoes while at pace on the bike? If not, you got 2 weeks to get that practiced.
Thanks. Yep, I’ve only ever done keeping shoes on the bike and flying dismounts (the getting on is still a quick step-in with one foot rather than really flying). Sounds like I’m best off keeping that process. I did the usual cycling shoes at the mixed team relay in Mtl this year, and don’t feel like it lost me anything (though it did suck running barefoot through a long T2). I heard some US athletes used running shoes on the bike in the MTR and felt it saved them time. Thought I’d see what others thought.
The real fun is go balls to the wall and then get your last foot in the shoe (unless you have the shoes where your foot can literally land inside).
Always practice this order with getting your foot in and out of the shoes as it’ll provide the most protection:
Getting in your shoes
Right foot first
Left foot second
Getting out of your shoes
Left foot first
Right foot second
Most AG athletes don’t practice this skill enough because well most don’t need to. But you will absolutely gain back any time with being stronger out of corners and overall power clipping in.
That run is so short, is there a carbon non-spiked track shoe that someone could do some weird custom bike cleat work on while having grippers almost like a cyclocross shoe?
Hmmmm…carbon fiber superleague cyclocross carbon running bike shoe.
The Aussies used that at Tokyo last year to “meh” results. It was all some “secret” tactic that was going to get them on the podium while the other. teams fumbled with their shoes. It just is really really hard to find a shoe that works for 4 people and still has them fast in the bike and run.
The real fun is go balls to the wall and then get your last foot in the shoe (unless you have the shoes where your foot can literally land inside).
Do you know what brand/model lets you do this best? Closest I’ve come is taking the laces out of a pair of lace-up shoes, replacing with flat elastic, and jamming my foot in. Doesn’t give that nice snug feeling while you’re riding though (particularly because that pair are getting pretty ratty and beat up).
The thing is you are thinking about this in the old transition mind set. The reality is that if is virtually manybe one or two seconds to get into your cycling shoes, and for many, not time at all. Since you pedal on top of already cleated shoes up to top speed, and only then do you fumble around and put your feet into the shoes, all while doing 30mph.
And keep in mind that they have to change many time in a race, often from different sports. So sometimes it would be stupid to put on a running shoe for biking, because the swim comes next.
If you have tri shoes w/ velcro only strapes, get like a med size hand towel. and get it damp (not soaken wet but just damp). Put it inside the shoe with the velcro off and you can then “set” the shoe to be more opened up. Let it sit there for 48 hours and then the shoe will be much easier to get in and out.
Thanks! I’ll give that a shot. Normally the velcro pulled all the way open does an ok job at holding the shoes open, but I always stomp on top of the left shoe for the first bit to get up to speed before getting that foot in… which kind of negates it. If I actually get to the ‘flying’ part of the mount and use elastics to hold the shoes face-up, that would probably help (currently I just let them swing).
If you’re interested in the flat pedals vs clipless debate, you can check out these two videos on the topic. Short answer, you’re fine to ride in your running shoes if you want to. With the new super shoes, I would base the decision more on whether your running shoes are rideable in.
I With the new super shoes, I would base the decision more on whether your running shoes are rideable in.
Take one of the firmer high-stack supershoes, cut a small circle in the lower midsole foam, and bolt MTB cleats to the carbon!
Duathlete here. Ive raced with Pyro Platform pedals since the 90’s with great success. T1 is not the time saver but T2 is.
As for the comparisons of flat pedals vs. clip in ones if they were to install one of those inexpensive straps for cycling on flat pedals I bet the advantage for clips goes away.
If there is a rule against it, I would think it would be a safety one. Since they are allowed to ride in a pack, having one athlete come out of their pedal (much higher likelihood with straps) could cause a large crash.
Hello surroundhound and All
https://www.triathlete.com/...es-on-running-shoes/
Looks like this could be adapted to a running shoe …
https://view-speed.com/store/p/view-speed-aero-shoe-modification
As far as I know the UCI doesn’t ban flat pedals and that’s the governing body’s framework for with WT (and likely SL) follows. Or atleast I cant find in the UCI rulebook flat pedals are banned.
In fact the only pedal that I see banned are clipped in pedals for BMX youth races (U 12).
It seems like it would save time, but I don’t think it adds up. The T2 time saved just gets added to T1. It probably costs a few seconds fiddling into your shoes on the bike. I don’t think it really costs anything taking your feet out. Most of the time entering T2 you have to kind of coast through a few turns into a parking lot or something similar, so sitting up and taking your feet out isn’t costing anything.
I’ve never done a duathlon but I can see how that math works differently.
The Aussies used that at Tokyo last year to “meh” results. It was all some “secret” tactic that was going to get them on the podium while the other. teams fumbled with their shoes. It just is really really hard to find a shoe that works for 4 people and still has them fast in the bike and run.
Lost them the chance to podium actually if you watch the race. First athlete lost the front pack at the beginning of bike due to them.