BananaMan Triathlon

Pink

Ouch bassy - not good!

I'm prepared for one puncture and one only

But the law of averages does mean you'll spend the next 10 years puncture-free... right?

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

I ran out of tubes too, and had to call the wife 3 miles from home! I was runnig new tyres and wonder maybe if thats the problem. However a tub of slime stuff may be on my shopping list!

Anyone any opinions on cycle computers. Ive got a astrale 8 on the orbea, but need a new one for Phillipa, Needs to have cadence function or I big ring everywhere and will end up with legs like Arnie!

Pink

I use my 305 with a cadence sensor and HRM - but it depends if you're sorted for running stuff too and how much you want to spend

The slime stuff sounds like a good idea actually

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

Ahh! Good thinking. I use a 305 forerunner too! Might be worth a look then. They should do a bar mount kit for your 305, but I suppose thats what the "edge" is for

Pink

I think they do have a bar mount - but only available in the states at the mo as far as I can see.

I successfully use a polar HRM bar mount and that does the job perfectly.

I got the cadence sensor cheap on Amazon Marketplace (I think) - from experience it's worth having spare batteries as they seem to run down fairly quick (quicker than the HRM strap anyway) mine was DOA!

[Deleted User]

How's everyone's training going? 5 weeks to go....

Did my first proper Brick session yesterday and feeling a little tender today. For anyone interested:

Bike 17 miles in 55 mins (Hilly)
Run 4 miles in just over 27 mins. I had been warned off how unnatural it would feel, but it was still a shock - were those really my legs!

Overall it felt hard, but my times seem good - though I have really no idea of 'par' at Tri's seeing as this'll be my first!

As for naming my bike.... it's not fully mine yet, is that allowed!!??

[Deleted User]

Oh, and just to add: HR fluttered around Z4 for most of the bike and well and truly up in Z5 for the entire duration of the run. To be expected I guess....

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

Looks good to me Red.

Ive no idea what times I would do !

[Deleted User]

Sometime faster on the bike I would guess!! Assuming no flats of course!! Still feel like a total novice on 2 wheels and dreading riding around other peeps.

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

I just rattle along and if Im going to pass someone I dont put extra in , just keep at my steady rate, they have to drop back if youve passed them under drafting laws! Dont know how policed it is mind, but there you are! Do you use clipless pedals or are you riding in your trainers?

[Deleted User]

Trainers, although was thinking of investing in some proper bike shoes shortly. However, clipless pedals seem a little scary - are they really that much of a benefit over the standard clips?? Also, while we're talking bikes - tri bars... worth the investment? How much should you spend and do I just get the basic tri bar or go for a whole new setup?? Don't know what the terms are - currently just got the basic road bike set up and generally sit on the brake levers unless I'm going downhill!!!

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

Bike shoes and clipless pedals I personally think make a world of difference, for starters when you push on the pedal you dont waste x amount of effort compressing the cushioning of the vtrainer beofre anything happens. Tribars are great once you got going, although you need to practice first cos steering can be a bit wobbly and they make your neck ache the first few times! You can get a decent set of clip on tri bars for 30-40 quid.

Bouncing Barlist

Im thinking about having a go at the bananaman, trouble is its the same day as MK Olympic and I want to do them both (

Slime - I wouldnt recommend the slime tyres or quick fix stuff. Just adds weight may effect performance? Ive used slime tubes on my MTB and didnt stop me puncturing, also the slime can block the valve if you want to let air out.

If you puncture check the inside of your tyres carefully to be sure no foreign objects are still there. Use good quality tyres and tubes. Avoid cyclint to near the kerb where debrit accumulates.

Bouncing Barlist

Clipless pedals and tri bars are worth every penny and the most economical performance improvement you can get. Each should add 1 - 1.5 mph to your bike speed.

JD.

slime stuff - when eventually you do inevitably puncture you'll end up covered in green gunk when you change the tube. horrible.

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

Well thats put me off that then!

I think I may well change tyres, as I never had these puncture woes running Michelin pro race 2 tyres.

JD.

what tyres?

the chances are you got something in there when fitting the new tyres.

happened to me last year. used a pair of yellow gp4000s for five months without a puncture. but the yellow was fading a little and a wanted to look fresh for IMDE (don't laugh!). so i bought a new pair of gp4000s and hey presto a puncture on the first ride! got something in there when fitting them.

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

I am running Bontrager x lites on the new one, and I cant laugh cos I got them as they are black with a little white writing on them and as the rest of the bike is laquered carbon with white writing I thought it made the bike look stealthy!

I did check the whole tyre after my second puncture, and the rim too and found nothing! I might just have been having a bad day.

JD.

if the tyres are anything like the Bontrager x lite inner tubes then they're complete shite!

got the tubes as i could fit two in my undersaddle pack. but they tear really easy.

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

I was kind of coming to that conclusion myself!

Need to find some good tyres with kevlar bead that are black with a touch of white. Asthetics? are important!

JH 1

With regard to the Bontrager X lites these are very thin tyres and extremely suseptible to punctures. I had a pair and only rode a few times before I got a puncture.

[Deleted User]

Training going sh1te for this one. Too hot and cannot get any rhythm, be it running or biking. I wonder if I'm in the last wave will they keep the finish line open for me?

Dustboy

>>Lurks to see bassys techniques, tips and tricks<< 10K/8K brick tonight, warmup for Saturdays 13.1 heavy XC plus a mile or so in the sea as a warmdown next day. (this psychological warfare is hard work);O)

PS, bought my bike on bassys recommendation. Mine has red tyres, and is therefore better. Good shout anyway.

[Deleted User]

Boing. Just got confirmation on the cc bill that the £55 has been taken and I am now officially entered in my first triathlon. Think I'm going to indulge myself and have a little wibble this afternoon.

rowrex

well my cheque has been cashed as well so guess I am entered as well. This should be my second open water tri all being well doing my first on 30th June at the womens tri. Looking forward to it, although more used to racing on the water at Dorney not in and around it.

[Deleted User]

How is everyone doing?

bassy -- annoying people since 1967

Im still ill! <looks glum> Not doing any training. <glum>

Havnt swum for 2 weeks <tries to look glum but hates swimming so dont really care>

Still, will be ok I reckon

[Deleted User]

With your biking Bassy, I wouldn't worry about this :-)

[Deleted User]

Forgot to say 'get well soon', oops!

[Deleted User]

Get well soon Bassy.