Last minute bike setup questions
I'm changing my bike setup for Vineman this weekend. I've tested the water bottle setup in my RR's and it works just fine, but I have two questions. 1) Historically, I've used an xlab flatwing on my saddle with two bottles of water and a bottle of infinit on the downtube. A small bag was strapped to the back of the water bottle cages with a spare tube, CO2, tire iron, and inflator. I have used butyl tubes in the past, so I only carried done spare tube. This time, I'm using two bottles, one mounted horizontally on the aerobars with water, and one with infinit on the downtube. I have an aero fuel belt box behind the stem with one butyl tube, one CO2, a Pedro's tire iron, and a Park patch kit. I want to carry a second tube in case both of my latex tubes flat. Should I carry the second tube and CO2 in my pocket, or a small bag behind the seat (I can't stuff it between the saddle and the rails - not enough room on my Fizik saddle)? 2) I've always racked my bike by putting the x-lab flatwing over the racek. With 650 wheels, racking with the nose of the saddle was out of the question. I've since got a new bike with 700c wheels - 54cm frame to the top of the seat collar (actually 50cm to the center of the seat tube). I was concerned about racking with the nose of the saddle, so I thought I'd put on a Minoura double bottle holder as a hook on the rear. When I got it in the mail, I found it''s so huge that I might as well just use the x-lab - so this woul defeat the original purpose. My question is should I be concerned about racking with the nose of the saddle with 700c wheels? Does anyone have something that they attach to the back of their seat to catch the racks? What about using a big rubber band or masking tape (that might help in T1, not sure what to do in T2 for a two transition race)?
So much to think about during race week, and too much time to think about it.
Comments
Hey Bob, here are my thoughts take these with a grain of salt becuase I don't always look at things the way others do.
1) just bring one spare brutyl tube. I personally can't justify more than one spare tube in HIM, you have spent so much time and energy trying to get the bike as aero as possible, why add more to it. Plus in my mind if I flat twice in a HIM, it's game off and too short of a race to catch up. If you are really concerned throw a stick on patch in your bento box. Sure CO2 and a patch on a latex tube is not ideal, but you only need it to get you back to T2 and the chances of you flatting twice early on in the bike course are very slim.
2) just use the nose. I have done it with 3 different ~52 size bikes with 700c wheels and never had an issue
Most importantly - STOP THINKING SO MUCH - I know this is much easier said than done. The last two weeks before my A-race last year I stayed off slowtwitch and spend very little time on EN. Go catch up on some other part of you life for the next few days.
You have done the work and your bike is ready.
Matt - good advice on the thinking. Hard to do, but the theraputic value of thinking about a lot of small things is probably limited compared to the stress it causes. Of course, the big stuff got sorted out weeks ago.
I don't race that much, and I won't quit no matter what. You're probably right a patch on the latex. maybe I'll try it. I've got a latex tube that I pinched getting it on my fp60's and the new Vittoria tires. I'll patch it, put it on another wheel, blow it up with CO2 and see what happens. I've actuall never had a flat during a race, but ...
I agree with Matt. His most important point is STOP thinking so much. Bring one spare tube. You likely will not need it. If you do you can wait for race support or beg one off a nice fellow racer. You appear to be in the throws of pre race mania. It is evidenced by the fact that you are posting tons of detail specific questions both here and on ST. Deep breaths.
What is your plan for if you break a crank arm?
The best thing to do is just e-mail Chris G directly with annoying "IMLP is making me mental!" questions like i do.