Am specifically refering to items such as tubes (what type/how many); what's in your patch kit (scuff patches, levers, etc), what tool(s), what inflation system(ie if CO2 how many canisters you bring, does anyone just throw a small pump in their jersey?); ?Cell phone.
Most important to me is how do you all carry this stuff in aero fashion? Seems counterintuitive to have crazy aero form, frame, and light components but then put a rear saddle bagful of this stuff on.
Lastly, can you use Special Needs Bags to facilitate carrying stuff (eg 2 extra tubes in SN bag?)
One tube, two CO2's, Red Zeppelin inflator, 2 tire levers and a multi tool all fit in a Fuel Belt "bento box" behind my stem. Very aero. Nothing behind my seat. Yes, you can put whatever you want in special needs and many, including myself, put tubes, CO2's, etc in them.
If rolling with Tubies: On-bike: razor/knife to cut the tubie off, multi-tool, 2 CO2s and/or quickfill stuff, nutrition bottles SNB: extra tubie, extra CO2s, more nutrition bottles
With Clinchers: On-bike: multi-tool, 2 tubes, 2-3 CO2s, nutrition bottles SNB: 2 tubes, extra CO2s, more nutrition bottles
I have a Jandd (sp?) saddle bag for the tubie; I put the quickfill stuff in my bento or use electrical tape to tape it somewhere that is probably not too aero.
Not that you should carry this much, but this is what I played around with before IMWI last year and this is roughly what I ended up racing with, minus maybe one of the extra CO2 cartridges.
The contents are:
One pre-stretched, pre-guled, pre-ridden Tubular spare (Tufo). Already mounted with valve extender deep enough for either front or rear wheel.
One safety razor (for cutting off old tubular, I have done this before and it worked great)
One package of GreaseMonkey (degreaser cloth). Definitely don't absolutely need, but adds no weight / takes no space.
One can of Hutchison FastAir. (Tire sealant + co2)
1 Nanoflate
2 16 gram threaded CO2 cartridges
1 ParkTool I-Beam Mini (multi-tool, it's hidden in from view but accessible by velcro from the bottom)
I had a special needs bag with hardly anything in it, I think an extra CO2, a backup bottle and some other misc small items. They were all backups and I didn't stop for it.
2 tubes, 2 CO2, 2 tire levers, 1 small inflator. CO2 and inflator mounted on back of Xlab. NO cell phone, NO special sealants, NO other tools.
I put the tubes and levers inside an enclosed BBB tool case (similar to water bottle but with a flat top) in one of the rear water bottle mounts. I.e, I'm only using my front aero bottle and one rear water bottle for the IM...all refills coming from exchanges. Three IMs to date ... in two I did not put out special needs bags. In the other, I had one with a cycling jacket as a precaution for possible cold weather. I didn't stop.
Bento behind the stem (P3, so normal stem) contains a tube, inflator, 2 x CO2, 2 x tire iron, multi tool. This is my standard bento. I keep a second saddle bag for training rides, in which I put keys, phone, wallet, and that sort of thing.
I can tape/rubber-band a second tube and 1-2 more CO2 under my saddle, which I probably will again this season. It's an underutilized spot. Slightly less convenient, but fine for that 2nd tube...
Last year I raced with an aero drink. On my particular setup, this meant that the top of stem was a pefect place for a second tube. It "bridged" the gap between the aero drink and stem/bento. (This is why I took stuff out from under my seat) But this year, I'm going torpedo mount, and it doesn't all fit the same.
Plus, I don't want to get on one of those "what's taped to your bike" videos... :-)
Maybe I'm naive, but I don't see how this saddle bag materially affects my aerodynamics more than, say, my unshaved calves, or the round tubes and exposed cables, or the Speedfil "straw".
Bento Box, in addition to nutrition, has a 4/5 mm allen wrench. If you look carefully at the down tube, you'll see a small carbon fiber hand pump. And the saddle bag has a small multi-tool, 3 tire levers, two CO2 cart. and inflator, tube, as well as glue, a coouple of patches, and a tire boot (part of a power bar wrapper.) Special needs has another CO2 and tube.
In bento: Spare contact lenses (Yes, I have actually lost a lens during a race) and possibly a few allen keys (if I don't bring multitool) + a few bite sized powerbars or similar
Behind seat: 2 Co2 + inflator. Two spare tubes velcro'ed in between the saddle and the bottleholder.
Bag behind set: Multitool (maybe), valve extender, pipe for inflating disc + three tire levers.
I prefer not to stop for SNB, so I usually only have 1-2 spare tubes in there and nothing else
One tube, two CO2's, Red Zeppelin inflator, 2 tire levers and a multi tool all fit in a Fuel Belt "bento box" behind my stem. Very aero. Nothing behind my seat. Yes, you can put whatever you want in special needs and many, including myself, put tubes, CO2's, etc in them.
Add to the Bento box duct tape wrapped around one of the C02's and a dollar bill, then tuck another tube under the seat, and you pretty much have my normal setup.
However, I've also just done the seat bag think like Al and put my nutrition in the Bento.
Wow thanks guys. Exactly what I was looking for. Followup question: what is the least amount of time one can expect to lose by stopping in special needs to get to their bag? 30 seconds? 10 minutes? Being funny, but now wondering from your posts, if carrying 6 hours worth of nutrition and an entire bike store of crap off my rear saddle may actually be worth not stopping. Again, really appreciate your input - this is why I joined this team! Thanks JL
Tube, lever, CO2, inflator, small piece of old tire as boot, small multitool in bento box. Tube, CO2 taped together and jammed under the saddle rails. BSN: spare tube, Co2, tire (usually an old training duct taped into a roll), formerly 2nd feed bottle of Infinit but will now race with Perform = no need for anything special)
one tube, one co2, inflator [the tiny one that screws on to the co2, tire levers in my bento.
Does it really make a difference if it is in the bento or behind the seat? I really do not know but the MIT guys with the wind tunnel seemed to think so and it looks cool which really is the most important thing about a bike set up.
I recall the MIT guys said that tools in Bento was better than tools behind saddle so I've generally eliminated everything from the back of the bike. And I agree, looks at 100% more important that any practical or aerodynamic considerations so, while I'm here at IMSG, I'll likely wander the expo and get a fancy Bento box that looks aero, has zip closure, etc but will use black duct tape on any brand names...
Posted By Jonathan Lieberman on 06 May 2011 08:41 AM
...what is the least amount of time one can expect to lose by stopping in special needs to get to their bag?...
Bias: I regard pee stops and rolling slowdowns in an IM bike as similar to walking an aid station - a chance to mentally regroup and let muscles try somethng different for a few brief moments, resulting in an overall FASTER split. Case in point (most of you have seen me say this before) in IM CDA last year, I stopped twice to pee and took on a new bottle of Perpetuem @ SN, with my wheel rolling time being less than two minutes faster than my official bike split. Who's to say my split was materially affected by this; I certainly felt more refreshed and stronger after each "stop".
I carry 1/2 of my Perpetuem needs on board in a disposable bottle. At the last aid station before SN, I replace it with a full bottle of water. At special needs, I grab from my bag a standard bike bottle with 3 scoops of Perpetuem dry powder. I pour the water in, toss that empty, and get going again in less than 20 seconds. I'd rather do it this way than have a thicker paste of perpetuem slowly congealing in the sun.
This strategy makes the most sense at races like CDA and Kona, where Bike Special Needs is set up just before or after a 180 deg. turnaround, and you have to slow down anyway.
Agree with Al that in the grand scheme of things it doesn't make much difference and is also a good opportunity to stretch, do something different. For more detail:
IMUSA: BSN is about 100m before a sharp right into a short little climb and then some admin stuff into town = a messy time to be riding with one hand digging through your bag. Patrick recommends you stop, get your bag, stretch to one side of the bike, other side, etc.
IMWI: BSN is on a flat, fast section before hard right into a climb then kinda technical downhill. I think I would roll through, grab the bag, bag in teeth get my stuff, then climb that hill standing to stretch...or stop to stretch...fuggit.
I will be stopping to get my bag a BSN to grab my nutrition for the second half and hopefully not a replacement tube and co2. As noted by Rich and Al stopping for 30 seconds might actually make you faster sure not goint to hurt anything. Especially in LP trying to ride while going through your bag would be a really bad call. It is distracting enought to ride that part through town with both hands.
And regardless as you are going to Kona anyhow, what is the difference if you lost a couple of minutes getting your stuff
This may be too little too late...but I carry two tubes, two Co2 and in inflater, multitool in a rear seat bag much like Al's. I carry my bar nutrition in a bento box behind the stem, and 4 GU's taped to the aerobars.I have a bottle on my seat tube and a double bottle setup behind my seat. I doubt a bento box and a rear tool bag and hydration setup make any material difference in my speed, since I am a 6' 190 lb dude sitting on the seat. BTW...at Silverman this past fall I had a double flat at mile 36 and then another one at mile 55 of the HIM bike course. Since I only had 2 tubes I had to carry my bike the last 1 mile. Made for a great story and picture.
i keep 2 tubes, a co2 (sometimes 2), a chuck and a tire lever wrapped up tight in velcro straps and hidden under the seat and attached to the rails. 100% invisible to wind, and the eye for that matter.
I put 1 spare tube under the seat. The Trek Speed Concept draft box has another spare tube, two tire levers, two CO2's, and a multi-tool. Another spare tube and CO2 in the Bike SN bag just in case.
Plus, I don't want to get on one of those "what's taped to your bike" videos... :-)
You're darn right about that. You never know when the "What's on my Bike" team is likely to pop up, and this year we're taking numbers and posting names!
This may be too little too late...but I carry two tubes, two Co2 and in inflater, multitool in a rear seat bag much like Al's. I carry my bar nutrition in a bento box behind the stem, and 4 GU's taped to the aerobars.I have a bottle on my seat tube and a double bottle setup behind my seat. I doubt a bento box and a rear tool bag and hydration setup make any material difference in my speed, since I am a 6' 190 lb dude sitting on the seat. BTW...at Silverman this past fall I had a double flat at mile 36 and then another one at mile 55 of the HIM bike course. Since I only had 2 tubes I had to carry my bike the last 1 mile. Made for a great story and picture.
Actually, it just might. Our direction around here is that you're on a relatively closed bike course with an infinite amount of calories and fluids at aid stations every ~10 miles. We encourage you to use that by setting up your bike as light, aero, cleanly and efficiently as possible. Why carry 3 bottles when you "could" do 1 and maybe use a singlet pocket to temporarily carry a 2nd if you want to? Why tape gels to the bike when you can get them at aid stations? Why at tool back on the back when tubes in a bento box is more aero?
In my opinion, Boy Scout motto bike setup (be prepared, bring it just in case) can start slippery slope that, before you know it, has you adding 4-5lb to your bike with stuff hanging un-aero-like off it. When encourage everyone here to share their setups so the first time Ironman athlete, for example, can avoid 4-5 kitchen-sink races and instead race with the clean setup of a vet.
Not so much directed at you, just wanted to call everyone's attention to why we talk about this stuff, as well as tire and tube selection, gearing recommendations, etc. Like a community SOP for bike setup, sharing the vets' knowledge and experience with everyone.
Coach Rich and everybody thanks so much - that is exactly why I pose the question to everybody, as I am the newby in question and want to hear everything about what works and doesn't work for you folks who've been there! Also, not sure why (maybe because I'm on a Mac) but my searching the forums before I post doesn't always come up very fruitful, so I am sorry if my intro questions are repetitive. And redundant. Repetitively redundant. Or just repetitive. Or redundant all over again. thanks guys. Liebs
I'm a bit surprised that nobody mentioned carrying a spare folded clincher tire. I rode with one in my jersey this past weekend and it didn't bother me. I have new tires for IMTX, but I'm nervous about having a tire blow during something I have so much invested in.
My planned setup is: 1 bottle on bike 2 bottles in my xlab behind seat. 2 co2s and adapter on xlab In bike bag under seat - 2 tubes, Multi-too, chain link, 2 tire levers. In a bento type box near stem I keep my extra drink powder, salt tabs, honey stinger waffels
I'm a bit surprised that nobody mentioned carrying a spare folded clincher tire. I rode with one in my jersey this past weekend and it didn't bother me.
I have new tires for IMTX, but I'm nervous about having a tire blow during something I have so much invested in.
Not recommended. Two tubes, 2 Co2, and a tire boot will fix 98% of tire issues you might have in the first 56 miles. You can put a old tire in BSN bag. I would only pick this tire up if I've had two (2) flats in the first 56 miles and it was caused by a sidewall slash that I'm confident has been 100% fixed by the boot (i use a peice of an old tire, a damn hefty boot). I've ridden 10's of thousands of miles and have only see ^^that^^ situation above about once or twice.
IMO, carrying a clincher in your singlet for 112 miles is total overkill.
I'm suprised more people aren't putting at least most of this stuff in their back pocket...It might add a few seconds to put a neatly bundled "maintenance kit" in your pocket in T1 and then dump in in T2...I currently ride with all my tubes, levers, multitool and CO2 in my cycling jersey for training...was going to give it a practice with my tri top this weekend so see how it feels/fits... Great thread...
Comments
Most important to me is how do you all carry this stuff in aero fashion? Seems counterintuitive to have crazy aero form, frame, and light components but then put a rear saddle bagful of this stuff on.
Lastly, can you use Special Needs Bags to facilitate carrying stuff (eg 2 extra tubes in SN bag?)
Thanks so much!
Jonathan
One tube, two CO2's, Red Zeppelin inflator, 2 tire levers and a multi tool all fit in a Fuel Belt "bento box" behind my stem. Very aero. Nothing behind my seat. Yes, you can put whatever you want in special needs and many, including myself, put tubes, CO2's, etc in them.
On-bike: razor/knife to cut the tubie off, multi-tool, 2 CO2s and/or quickfill stuff, nutrition bottles
SNB: extra tubie, extra CO2s, more nutrition bottles
With Clinchers:
On-bike: multi-tool, 2 tubes, 2-3 CO2s, nutrition bottles
SNB: 2 tubes, extra CO2s, more nutrition bottles
Two tubes, two Co2, one tire iron, inflator, Bento Box, bottle on down tube, bottle on seat tube, two bottles in rear X-Lab system.
Just a regular saddle bag for the clinchers.
Not that you should carry this much, but this is what I played around with before IMWI last year and this is roughly what I ended up racing with, minus maybe one of the extra CO2 cartridges.
The contents are:
One pre-stretched, pre-guled, pre-ridden Tubular spare (Tufo). Already mounted with valve extender deep enough for either front or rear wheel.
One safety razor (for cutting off old tubular, I have done this before and it worked great)
One package of GreaseMonkey (degreaser cloth). Definitely don't absolutely need, but adds no weight / takes no space.
One can of Hutchison FastAir. (Tire sealant + co2)
1 Nanoflate
2 16 gram threaded CO2 cartridges
1 ParkTool I-Beam Mini (multi-tool, it's hidden in from view but accessible by velcro from the bottom)
I had a special needs bag with hardly anything in it, I think an extra CO2, a backup bottle and some other misc small items. They were all backups and I didn't stop for it.
I put the tubes and levers inside an enclosed BBB tool case (similar to water bottle but with a flat top) in one of the rear water bottle mounts. I.e, I'm only using my front aero bottle and one rear water bottle for the IM...all refills coming from exchanges. Three IMs to date ... in two I did not put out special needs bags. In the other, I had one with a cycling jacket as a precaution for possible cold weather. I didn't stop.
Bento behind the stem (P3, so normal stem) contains a tube, inflator, 2 x CO2, 2 x tire iron, multi tool. This is my standard bento. I keep a second saddle bag for training rides, in which I put keys, phone, wallet, and that sort of thing.
I can tape/rubber-band a second tube and 1-2 more CO2 under my saddle, which I probably will again this season. It's an underutilized spot. Slightly less convenient, but fine for that 2nd tube...
Last year I raced with an aero drink. On my particular setup, this meant that the top of stem was a pefect place for a second tube. It "bridged" the gap between the aero drink and stem/bento. (This is why I took stuff out from under my seat) But this year, I'm going torpedo mount, and it doesn't all fit the same.
Plus, I don't want to get on one of those "what's taped to your bike" videos... :-)
Two (2) tubes neatly rubber-banded under seat (and that's the only ting under the seat).
Bento Box with (1) Multi-tool, (2) CO2, (2) Tire Levers, (1) C02 inflator, (1) Valve extender & (1) Latex Glove
I've also got 6-8" of electrical tape taped along the top of the top tube just-in-case
In Special Needs (inside a separate race problems refill bag): (2) tubes & (2) CO2s & (1) Valve extender
Optional: Crack Pipe as needed
Maybe I'm naive, but I don't see how this saddle bag materially affects my aerodynamics more than, say, my unshaved calves, or the round tubes and exposed cables, or the Speedfil "straw".
Bento Box, in addition to nutrition, has a 4/5 mm allen wrench. If you look carefully at the down tube, you'll see a small carbon fiber hand pump. And the saddle bag has a small multi-tool, 3 tire levers, two CO2 cart. and inflator, tube, as well as glue, a coouple of patches, and a tire boot (part of a power bar wrapper.) Special needs has another CO2 and tube.
In bento: Spare contact lenses (Yes, I have actually lost a lens during a race) and possibly a few allen keys (if I don't bring multitool) + a few bite sized powerbars or similar
Behind seat: 2 Co2 + inflator. Two spare tubes velcro'ed in between the saddle and the bottleholder.
Bag behind set: Multitool (maybe), valve extender, pipe for inflating disc + three tire levers.
I prefer not to stop for SNB, so I usually only have 1-2 spare tubes in there and nothing else
Add to the Bento box duct tape wrapped around one of the C02's and a dollar bill, then tuck another tube under the seat, and you pretty much have my normal setup.
However, I've also just done the seat bag think like Al and put my nutrition in the Bento.
Tube, CO2 taped together and jammed under the saddle rails.
BSN: spare tube, Co2, tire (usually an old training duct taped into a roll), formerly 2nd feed bottle of Infinit but will now race with Perform = no need for anything special)
Does it really make a difference if it is in the bento or behind the seat? I really do not know but the MIT guys with the wind tunnel seemed to think so and it looks cool which really is the most important thing about a bike set up.
Bias: I regard pee stops and rolling slowdowns in an IM bike as similar to walking an aid station - a chance to mentally regroup and let muscles try somethng different for a few brief moments, resulting in an overall FASTER split. Case in point (most of you have seen me say this before) in IM CDA last year, I stopped twice to pee and took on a new bottle of Perpetuem @ SN, with my wheel rolling time being less than two minutes faster than my official bike split. Who's to say my split was materially affected by this; I certainly felt more refreshed and stronger after each "stop".
I carry 1/2 of my Perpetuem needs on board in a disposable bottle. At the last aid station before SN, I replace it with a full bottle of water. At special needs, I grab from my bag a standard bike bottle with 3 scoops of Perpetuem dry powder. I pour the water in, toss that empty, and get going again in less than 20 seconds. I'd rather do it this way than have a thicker paste of perpetuem slowly congealing in the sun.
This strategy makes the most sense at races like CDA and Kona, where Bike Special Needs is set up just before or after a 180 deg. turnaround, and you have to slow down anyway.
IMUSA: BSN is about 100m before a sharp right into a short little climb and then some admin stuff into town = a messy time to be riding with one hand digging through your bag. Patrick recommends you stop, get your bag, stretch to one side of the bike, other side, etc.
IMWI: BSN is on a flat, fast section before hard right into a climb then kinda technical downhill. I think I would roll through, grab the bag, bag in teeth get my stuff, then climb that hill standing to stretch...or stop to stretch...fuggit.
I will be stopping to get my bag a BSN to grab my nutrition for the second half and hopefully not a replacement tube and co2. As noted by Rich and Al stopping for 30 seconds might actually make you faster sure not goint to hurt anything. Especially in LP trying to ride while going through your bag would be a really bad call. It is distracting enought to ride that part through town with both hands.
And regardless as you are going to Kona anyhow, what is the difference if you lost a couple of minutes getting your stuff
I'll probably add a chain link this year.
I put 1 spare tube under the seat. The Trek Speed Concept draft box has another spare tube, two tire levers, two CO2's, and a multi-tool. Another spare tube and CO2 in the Bike SN bag just in case.
You're darn right about that. You never know when the "What's on my Bike" team is likely to pop up, and this year we're taking numbers and posting names!
Actually, it just might. Our direction around here is that you're on a relatively closed bike course with an infinite amount of calories and fluids at aid stations every ~10 miles. We encourage you to use that by setting up your bike as light, aero, cleanly and efficiently as possible. Why carry 3 bottles when you "could" do 1 and maybe use a singlet pocket to temporarily carry a 2nd if you want to? Why tape gels to the bike when you can get them at aid stations? Why at tool back on the back when tubes in a bento box is more aero?
In my opinion, Boy Scout motto bike setup (be prepared, bring it just in case) can start slippery slope that, before you know it, has you adding 4-5lb to your bike with stuff hanging un-aero-like off it. When encourage everyone here to share their setups so the first time Ironman athlete, for example, can avoid 4-5 kitchen-sink races and instead race with the clean setup of a vet.
Not so much directed at you, just wanted to call everyone's attention to why we talk about this stuff, as well as tire and tube selection, gearing recommendations, etc. Like a community SOP for bike setup, sharing the vets' knowledge and experience with everyone.
I have new tires for IMTX, but I'm nervous about having a tire blow during something I have so much invested in.
My planned setup is:
1 bottle on bike
2 bottles in my xlab behind seat.
2 co2s and adapter on xlab
In bike bag under seat - 2 tubes, Multi-too, chain link, 2 tire levers.
In a bento type box near stem I keep my extra drink powder, salt tabs, honey stinger waffels
http://ironmanweightloss.com/?attachment_id=318
Not recommended. Two tubes, 2 Co2, and a tire boot will fix 98% of tire issues you might have in the first 56 miles. You can put a old tire in BSN bag. I would only pick this tire up if I've had two (2) flats in the first 56 miles and it was caused by a sidewall slash that I'm confident has been 100% fixed by the boot (i use a peice of an old tire, a damn hefty boot). I've ridden 10's of thousands of miles and have only see ^^that^^ situation above about once or twice.
IMO, carrying a clincher in your singlet for 112 miles is total overkill.
1 spare tube, 2 tire tools, 1 CO2 cartridge. (Considering changing that to 1 PitStop)
as Rich said, I put this setup in my Special Needs Bag in case my flat happens on the first 56.
If anything more than a flat happens, I'll play the hand that's dealt.
Great thread...