So I’ve been spending some time on a MTB recently and really like the idea of an Xterra for my calendar next year. I’ve been doing a bit of looking into it and it a simple enough to transition between a “road tri” and an Xterra.
Are there sprint distance races to get my feet wet? (in the Northeast)
Assuming that I can swim, bike and run is there anything glaring out there that I need to know?
And as far as the bike, I’ve been looking at the Hardtail 29’ers (Kona Kahuna and some of the Fisher line) are those perfectly good options, or do i need to be on a 26" XC bike to be “legal”? I’ve been riding various borrowed/rented rig’s and i like the feel of the 29" wheels.
Every MTB race/Xterra I know of has no bike restrictions other than no motorized bikes allowed (obviously) I’ve ridden my 29er hardtail in two MTB races and one Xterra, and they are a blast! Be prepared to be beat up on the bike before going on the run, as crashing is not only possible, but likely. And fun.
Also be prepared for the swim and run portions to be shorter, and the bike time to be longer than you would expect for a given distance (17 miles on a MTB is much longer than 17 miles on the road) Be prepared to get muddy, as well, depending on the course.
Are there sprint distance races to get my feet wet?
Definitely. Usually the distances are like .5mile swim / 12ish mile bike / 4ish mile run.
Assuming that I can swim, bike and run is there anything glaring out there that I need to know?
IMHO, the bike is the most important segment. It is very easy to blow up while mountain biking and not have anything left for the run.
And as far as the bike…
Your bike can be a 26 or 29er, hardtail or FS, there is no restriction. The only thing that I know is that you can’t ride a cyclocross bike. Heck, I did my first Xterra on a 29er singlespeed. BTW, not a smart decision, and related to my response above.
Last I checked 29 inch MTBs were legal but cyclocross bikes were not. I can only assume they make their determination on the shape and style of the handlebars and not wheel size. I can not imagine a true 29er MTB not being allowed n any Xterra race.
I have raced a cross bike in a MTB race and I have alway found it odd that they are not allowed in Xterra (and many adventure races).
I’m planning at least one Xterra next year too, so thanks for posting this thread.
My newbie questions:
o Tri suit? Throw MTB shorts on over tri suit? Something else?
o Recommended bike shoes? My current MTB shoes have laces… don’t think that’s a good idea.
o Recommended running shoes? Trail shoes necessary in general?
o I plan on being top 20% swim… but likely bottom 20% bike. Other than being aware of traffic and letting people pass as cleanly as possible, is there anything specific I could do to stay out of the way? Put an L plate on the back of my bike?
The Xterra proper races do not allow drop bars. There was some question on 26 inch drop bar mtb. as there is a history of people using the drop or the stash bars on 26 inchers. Some non Xterra offroad tris do allow drop bars. Best bet is just go with mtb bars on a 26er, 69er or 29er bike then no questions asked.
You probably need a camelback like water system. Sort of scary drinking out of some bottles after riding thru cow shit, yucky mud, stream crossings.
Any of the top name shoes with at least one buckle would be my choice. If it were pure mtb I would say carbon soles. If you have to hike a bike sometimes a more flexy sole works better for heel slipage. I noticed that in cross too. If you can clean the whole course the RD needs to work on his course. It ain’t an Xterra if you don’t get a little hike a bike in there.
I usually wear tri shorts for the swim and throw on a jersey for the bike/run. I also use socks in Xterra events. (not so much in shorter regular tris)
I was just thinking i’d go for a set of mid-tier SPD something pedals and use my older SPD compatible road shoes. But i’m not so sure if i’m going to need to move while not on the bike.
Do a good deal of the races have an obstacle like that?
also the “Trail Run” is that normally an XC run? or more of a scramble sort of thing?
I was just thinking i’d go for a set of mid-tier SPD something pedals and use my older SPD compatible road shoes. But i’m not so sure if i’m going to need to move while not on the bike.
Do a good deal of the races have an obstacle like that?
also the “Trail Run” is that normally an XC run? or more of a scramble sort of thing?
you will need mtn bike shoes road shoes are too slick on the bottom you will slip like crazy with road shoes on the trail.
If you have done a scramble then you have done an Xterra run course. Sometimes obstacles usually more fun than anything out there.
I’m planning at least one Xterra next year too, so thanks for posting this thread.
My newbie questions:
o Tri suit? Throw MTB shorts on over tri suit? Something else? Yeah, tri suits are just fine for Xterra. I wear the same suit for sprints, olys, and Xterras
o Recommended bike shoes? My current MTB shoes have laces… don’t think that’s a good idea. Get a pair of MTB specific shoes with velcro straps. I have a pair of Sidi Dominator 3-strap shoes that are perfect and I’m out of T1 in a jif.
o Recommended running shoes? Trail shoes necessary in general? Trails shoes recommended but not necessary. Just really depends on your running skills and sense of balance.
o I plan on being top 20% swim… but likely bottom 20% bike. Other than being aware of traffic and letting people pass as cleanly as possible, is there anything specific I could do to stay out of the way? Put an L plate on the back of my bike? Experienced mountain bikers are very good at passing and they expect traffic. My dumb ass was third out of the water at the Midwest Xterra Cup race and trust me, faster bikers will let you know they are there and the second you move over, they will be gone.
So I’ve been spending some time on a MTB recently and really like the idea of an Xterra for my calendar next year. I’ve been doing a bit of looking into it and it a simple enough to transition between a “road tri” and an Xterra.
Are there sprint distance races to get my feet wet? (in the Northeast)
Assuming that I can swim, bike and run is there anything glaring out there that I need to know?
And as far as the bike, I’ve been looking at the Hardtail 29’ers (Kona Kahuna and some of the Fisher line) are those perfectly good options, or do i need to be on a 26" XC bike to be “legal”? I’ve been riding various borrowed/rented rig’s and i like the feel of the 29" wheels.
Thanks in advance
There’s nothing glaring you need to know. Good luck and have fun!
BTW, all the previous responses are good info.
When passing…that can use some elaboration.
When a faster rider comes up from behind this is what works best:
That rider in back calls out to you their intention. You then yield at the FIRST AVAILABLE opportunity. Usually it’s understood that you aren’t going to stop your bike and get out of the way you are going to ride until you find a wide enough place to move over and coast and just maybe brake a little…but not stop. The rest is their job. Oh, and just before you move over you announce that you are pulling over…say “On my left!” or “on my right” to tell them which way to pass you.
If they are overtaking you VERY fast and they think they can make it they will just yell out “on your left!” and be by just like that…just hold your line and don’t freak out.
If someone is following your wheel don’t assume they want to pass, they may be resting up…they will let you know.
It’s very rare that you will have a mtn bike course that you can stay on your bike the entire time, so expect to scramble some (no road shoes!).
For the run course, some are scramble and some are easy like a cross country course. Regular shoes have always worked for me even when on a scramble…except speedlaces can be a problem. They aren’t tight enough and on a ‘scramble’ style course the down hills will jam your toes and kill you by the end of the race.
I think running a 29er for xterra is the equivalent of running an aero bike for road tri. I pick up a ton of free speed on the downhills with less work than those on 26 inch wheels.
Putting together a light hardtail or fs 29er would be ideal. I’ve been very happy with my Niner Jet 9.
Stoaked tri in Hanover, NH has a standard course race and an xterra that are run on saturday /sunday with the standard race being a .5 k swim; 8.5 k bike; and 4 k run and the xterra being double those distances.
Also to get your feet wet look around for some off-road duathlons, I know they run one in northeastern Mass. early in the season.
I just started tri’s this year after many years of racing road, cross, and mtn. I have done one sprint and one “standard” course Xterra. This was the race in Hanover, NH. The standard course was pretty much half the distance of the Xterra course with the winning time at 1:15 or so. I will say that I liked the offroad tri better than the road tri (though I did have fun at both). It may be because I was 5th overall too though. As others have said road shoes would be a big NO, as if/when you need to get off the bike it would not be fun in road shoes. I think full suspension is better than a hardtail, but that is just my opinion. Give it a try and I am sure you will have a good time.
