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What is the best Cassette for IM France?

gjordangjordan
in General Training Discussions

Do you have any recommendations for a cassette, such as 12/27, for IM France.  It's a race with big climbs.  Here is the link to race elevation.  www.ironmanfrance.com/event/content.asp

Thanks,

George

Comments

  • Dave TalloDave Tallo

    Compact crank and 12-25, imho.   

  • David FlintDavid Flint
    Hi George - bound to be some info in this thread of Tritalk.co.uk

    http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=58970

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    When in doubt, go compact and a big gear on the rear. Seriously, there is very, very, very little downside to having a 25, 27, or 28 cassette on nearly any IM course.

  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    did that race in 2005. What everyone else says... compact cranks and 12-27 or 12-25. More gears the better. I actually did it on a triple, and road bike, 'cause that is all I had at the time.
  • gjordangjordan

    Thanks for your input, but, what does "compact crank" mean?

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Posted By George Jordan on 18 Mar 2010 06:29 PM

    Thanks for your input, but, what does "compact crank" mean?

     

    Good question, we should probably add this to the wiki!  the term compact comes from the number of teeth on the chainrings... smaller chainrings, more compact... instead of a double's 52/43 you'll get a 50/34.

  • gjordangjordan

    Tom,

    How did you get your bike to and from the race?  We are taking the week following IMF to see France and Barcelona.  I don't imagine the rental car will accomodate a bike box.  What about shipping it back from the hotel or maybe UPS?

    George

  • gjordangjordan

    If anyone is interested in a wiki page on Compact Crank I found this indepth discussion at bike hugger.  A compact crank seems like a good place to start for hills.

  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    Posted By George Jordan on 21 Mar 2010 12:54 PM

    Tom,

    How did you get your bike to and from the race?  We are taking the week following IMF to see France and Barcelona.  I don't imagine the rental car will accomodate a bike box.  What about shipping it back from the hotel or maybe UPS?

    George



    George, I drove my bike home image.  Lived in Germany for three years and so I just threw all my stuff in the back of the car.  After traveling around will you return to Nice?  If so, you may be able to store the bike at the hotel and then pick it up on the way back.

     

    For UPS or other such service (DHL is big over there), I'd check costs.  Not sure what the costs would be.  Also, check out the local bike shops, often listed in the IM home page area.  You may be able to ship it there, have them build it up, and then drop it off to have them break it down and ship it back to the US.

     

    tom

  • Dave TalloDave Tallo

    I investigated doing the same thing when I raced in Nice, and settled on flying with the bike box to Nice, doing the race, and then having the hotel I stayed at store it for a few weeks while we toured around Europe.  At the end of the trip, I just picked up the bike from the hotel and flew back.   

    I've done this in a few hotels when I've raced in Europe, and it's always been a trouble-free and low-cost choice.  Just write the hotel in advance to get their okay, tip a few euros to the concierge / front desk, and you're set. 

     

    -Dave

  • gjordangjordan

    Tom,

    I checked with DHL and the cost was over $1,000.  We planned to take the train to Spain after the race to see Port Adventura and the amusement park for the kids.  We also plan to fly out of Barcelona I don't have the option of returning to the hotel.  We'll be taking the train from Nice to Barcelona.  Am hoping traveling by train with the bike will be manageable.  I'll also check the website for availability of bike shop assistance.

  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    Posted By George Jordan on 07 Apr 2010 07:28 PM

    Tom,

    I checked with DHL and the cost was over $1,000.  We planned to take the train to Spain after the race to see Port Adventura and the amusement park for the kids.  We also plan to fly out of Barcelona I don't have the option of returning to the hotel.  We'll be taking the train from Nice to Barcelona.  Am hoping traveling by train with the bike will be manageable.  I'll also check the website for availability of bike shop assistance.



    Make sure you check the train websites too.  There may be limitations, charges involved.

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