bento: tube and co2 canister, $10 bill, s!caps, gel in my behind the seat cage - 1 h2o bottle with equipment: tire irons, another tube, co2 canister, and co2 inflator.
[have speedfill on the downtube for water; 3 hour infinit between the bars; extra water bottle in the second cage behind the seat]
Rich - Question for you...I have a super small saddle bag that I have just the essentials (1 tube, 1 CO2, 1 lever, 1 boot) all bound tight hanging off the rails of my P2C. Do you think there is significant time savings to be had by moving that shit up to a Bento-style box behind the stem?
@Jim - will it be faster, sure. How much, hard to say. The key is not to focus on what one decision will net you but rather on making lots of good decisions and will all add up at the end of the day. Have to carry bottles, might as well carry them in a smart way etc. Have to buy a frame, more aero ones are the same money, get a more aero one, same with helmets, tires, etc.
As for carrying all sorts of crap, really, why? Be ready to change a flat. If you get 3 you are screwed and waiting for nuetral support. When was the last time you got 3 flats in 56 miles? That is either user error or some really bad luck. Carry an extra clincher with you, well OK, are you bringing an extra chain, cranks, spokes, truing stand??? If it makes you feel better, fine but lets not pretend it is really a good idea. Keep it simple. You will be fine.
Putting crap in your jersey pockets, bad plan. Ever been in an IM change tent? Any extra steps that can be avoided should be at all costs. You will forget it, lose it, drop it or worse yet end up running with it. Besides, my singlet has teeny pockets. Put the crap on your bike.
You need exactly one tube, one Co2 and tire levers to change a flat. If you want a boot, ok bring one of those. Put a spare tube and cos in your SN bag. If the worst happens you will be on the side of the road waiting for help. You may get really lucky, you may not. It wont matter, you can still finish just fine.
All this talk about Bento boxes makes me wonder. I understand how they can make the bike more aero, but what about bikes that have the cables routed into the top tube so you can't snug the bento against the steerer tube. Am I creating more drag by having the gap. Does anyone know if this has been looked at? Personally I dont think it really makes that much difference, but it's just a guess.
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.
The other reason you don't want too much stuff hanging off your bike (as mentioned above) is that you could very well find yourself the subject of an embarrassing episode of "What's on My Bike". For any of you newbies that haven't seen them, they're out there somewhere...I just can't find them.
Rich - Question for you...I have a super small saddle bag that I have just the essentials (1 tube, 1 CO2, 1 lever, 1 boot) all bound tight hanging off the rails of my P2C. Do you think there is significant time savings to be had by moving that shit up to a Bento-style box behind the stem?
The MIT boys say it's more aero, dunno how much, but more importantly a clean setup just looks better and sometimes looks are good enough reason to do most anything .
Seriously though, they found that the bento box area was good place to put...a bento box because it cleaned up windflow around the stem. So you may want something there to improve the air flow. Since their are aid stations every 10 miles with an infinite number of calories and since it's almost always better to be prepared to live off the course vs carrying stuff, you don't need to use the BB to carry food, ergo, it becomes a good place to carry tire changing stuff stuff, losing everything from behind the saddle.
sticky tube patches. go towel. derailleur hanger. zip ties. tire boot. small bottle with (vale extenders, Wipperman chain links (could have helped Brent at St. George this past week), screws for cleats, valve core wrench, wheel cover plastic screws, cable connectors (I have travel bike), chain pins, cable holder, pedro wrench that includes (tire levers, chain tool, various spokes tools, etc), tube, nozzle for co2, 2-3 co2 cannisters, mini hand pump.
All about 1.6 pounds. Lots of small simple things that can end your day so I am surprised folks don’t carry things like the chain links.
Dear G-d that is a lot of stuff! I am more of Chris G's mentality of bare essentials, although I am toying with idea of small minipump concealed lengthwise under seat, and bagging CO2 altogether. I am not in need of precious seconds or a minute or two, so my concern about not being able to actually fix the flat (ie screwing CO2 up and/or running out) trumps the "slowness" of pumping a tire. The pump gives me piece of mind I don't get with CO2 so it may be worth it *for me*. That said, the only other things I'm currently considering carrying are 2 tubes, boot, patch kit, levers, & small multi-Allen wrench in a small aero Bento box. Nothing off back of saddle. Elite aero frame bottle on downtube for 3 hrs of concentrated Infinit; standard bottle for H20 bottle exchanges torpedo mounted between aerobars (which I just tried and love).
Late to this party but, in the bento I carry two C02, one tube, a couple tire levers, and a little sun glass cleaning cloth. My thought on the Ironman is, get some new tires a week or so before the race, throw a tube and co2 in your BSN. a 99% solution.
Posted By Jonathan Lieberman on 12 May 2011 11:02 AM
Dear G-d that is a lot of stuff! I am more of Chris G's mentality of bare essentials, although I am toying with idea of small minipump concealed lengthwise under seat, and bagging CO2 altogether. I am not in need of precious seconds or a minute or two, so my concern about not being able to actually fix the flat (ie screwing CO2 up and/or running out) trumps the "slowness" of pumping a tire. The pump gives me piece of mind I don't get with CO2 so it may be worth it *for me*. That said, the only other things I'm currently considering carrying are 2 tubes, boot, patch kit, levers, & small multi-Allen wrench in a small aero Bento box. Nothing off back of saddle. Elite aero frame bottle on downtube for 3 hrs of concentrated Infinit; standard bottle for H20 bottle exchanges torpedo mounted between aerobars (which I just tried and love).
Looks like you've hit your comfort zone sweet spot with this setup. Try it out as much as you can during RR / race sim. Congratulations, you've just saved probably 3 IMs worth of doing the wrong thing by posting this here and getting valuable feedback instead of doing it by trial and error.
And hey, whatever you do at LP you get to refine for Kona!
@Robin - I can see carrying that stuff on an unsupported training ride out into the middle of nowheres-ville...but not in a race. I'm think that just about any situation where I would need a spoke tool = my race has ended already. I have some of this stuff squirreled away in a pocket in my (overly large) transition bag (like a couple extra wheel cover screws) - but they stay there during the race. For what it's worth, at race time I carry an extra tube, a micro Park tool patch kit, a tiny allen wrench thingy, and CO2, then have another tube and CO2 in my SNB for a full IM. Just my 2 cents. Mike
Just another couple of thoughts on this. Think about what you are carrying which you would need to fix the kind of thing you are able to fix in a race situation vs what you are carrying to give yourself piece of mind in what is really a fairly insane situation (i.e. you signed up for the race a year ago and have countless hours of training and panicky thoughts wraped up in it). Are you really going to true a wheel on the side of the road? Can you true a wheel at all? If the answer is no to either of these questions you do not need spoke wrench etc. Same goes for some of the other stuff.
3 CO2 cartridges and one tube, what are you going to do with the other 2 once you inflate the tube with the first one? Are the other 2 in case your brain is functioning so poorly at that time that you cant put the inflator over the valve and push down? If you are so worried about doing such a simple task well enough to get enough air into the tire to get you to the next aid station [max of 10 miles] at which they have a pump what are the chances of you having the wherewithall to complete some of the much more difficult repairs you are carrying tools for? Again, if you can put the inflator over the valve stem and push down what are the chances that you mounted the tube correctly? Ok, good thing you brought 2 more tubes and some patches when you run out. Gets silly pretty fast.
Extra tire, do you think there is really a senario where you are going to completely shred a tire to the point you need a new one that does not involve you going down? Has that ever happened to anyone? I have never seen anything like it.
@Jon - the frame pump is a bad idea. Ever try to use one? They pretty much suck if you want more than 50 lbs of pressure in the tire. Buy a few Co2 cartridges and practice with them until you have piece of mind you can do it no problem. Be happy next time you get a flat and see how fast you can change it. The 3 minute range is pretty good.
Kinda reminds me of all the people who have tubulars and carry a razor blade with them and talk about how if they flat they can just cut the tire off and change it really fast. Ever try it? Freakin impossible. I was only able to cut through a tubbie using a huge metal handled exacto knife and my work bench after I worked at it for about 20 minutes. I have carried a peice of tubbie and a blade into the bar with me a bunch of times and dared anyone to "just slice through it". No one has managed it. Also have been asking anyone on ST to demonstrate the technique and post a video of it for years. No takers. Unless the plan is to kill yourself with the thing [which you might do accidentally trying to cut through a tire BTW] when you realize you are a DNF it is really not much use.
On a related note how many out there have carried something, or still carry something with them on race day that they have no real ability to use? Met lots of people with tubular race wheels who have never personally mounted a tubular tire. Jackassery. If that is you then why even bother to carry a spare? Hoping that you can figure it out on the side of the road with your heart rate through the roof, get it on kinda correct and then ride 40 plus down the next hill? Awesome plan.
If you double flat on race day you should just take it like a skinny shaved German, cry, have a temper tantrum, throw your bike in the lava field and just win next year.
I race on tubulars so I carry one spare tub and 2 CO2 cartridges and a mini tool. I have pondered the question - "what if X happens" but I would need a to attach a trailer to my bike to carry alll the supplies "for what if" scenarios.
@Chris G, LMAO!!! I'm also guessing if you don't know what "true ing" a wheel is you also don't need that tool... There is something to be said for havinig a trusted bike mechanic give your bike a once over before any big training day and especially before an IM.
Comments
in my behind the seat cage - 1 h2o bottle with equipment: tire irons, another tube, co2 canister, and co2 inflator.
[have speedfill on the downtube for water; 3 hour infinit between the bars; extra water bottle in the second cage behind the seat]
Rich - Question for you...I have a super small saddle bag that I have just the essentials (1 tube, 1 CO2, 1 lever, 1 boot) all bound tight hanging off the rails of my P2C. Do you think there is significant time savings to be had by moving that shit up to a Bento-style box behind the stem?
@Jim - will it be faster, sure. How much, hard to say. The key is not to focus on what one decision will net you but rather on making lots of good decisions and will all add up at the end of the day. Have to carry bottles, might as well carry them in a smart way etc. Have to buy a frame, more aero ones are the same money, get a more aero one, same with helmets, tires, etc.
As for carrying all sorts of crap, really, why? Be ready to change a flat. If you get 3 you are screwed and waiting for nuetral support. When was the last time you got 3 flats in 56 miles? That is either user error or some really bad luck. Carry an extra clincher with you, well OK, are you bringing an extra chain, cranks, spokes, truing stand??? If it makes you feel better, fine but lets not pretend it is really a good idea. Keep it simple. You will be fine.
Putting crap in your jersey pockets, bad plan. Ever been in an IM change tent? Any extra steps that can be avoided should be at all costs. You will forget it, lose it, drop it or worse yet end up running with it. Besides, my singlet has teeny pockets. Put the crap on your bike.
You need exactly one tube, one Co2 and tire levers to change a flat. If you want a boot, ok bring one of those. Put a spare tube and cos in your SN bag. If the worst happens you will be on the side of the road waiting for help. You may get really lucky, you may not. It wont matter, you can still finish just fine.
The other reason you don't want too much stuff hanging off your bike (as mentioned above) is that you could very well find yourself the subject of an embarrassing episode of "What's on My Bike". For any of you newbies that haven't seen them, they're out there somewhere...I just can't find them.
The MIT boys say it's more aero, dunno how much, but more importantly a clean setup just looks better and sometimes looks are good enough reason to do most anything
.
Seriously though, they found that the bento box area was good place to put...a bento box because it cleaned up windflow around the stem. So you may want something there to improve the air flow. Since their are aid stations every 10 miles with an infinite number of calories and since it's almost always better to be prepared to live off the course vs carrying stuff, you don't need to use the BB to carry food, ergo, it becomes a good place to carry tire changing stuff stuff, losing everything from behind the saddle.
My thought on the Ironman is, get some new tires a week or so before the race, throw a tube and co2 in your BSN. a 99% solution.
Looks like you've hit your comfort zone sweet spot with this setup. Try it out as much as you can during RR / race sim. Congratulations, you've just saved probably 3 IMs worth of doing the wrong thing by posting this here and getting valuable feedback instead of doing it by trial and error.
And hey, whatever you do at LP you get to refine for Kona!
For what it's worth, at race time I carry an extra tube, a micro Park tool patch kit, a tiny allen wrench thingy, and CO2, then have another tube and CO2 in my SNB for a full IM.
Just my 2 cents.
Mike
Just another couple of thoughts on this. Think about what you are carrying which you would need to fix the kind of thing you are able to fix in a race situation vs what you are carrying to give yourself piece of mind in what is really a fairly insane situation (i.e. you signed up for the race a year ago and have countless hours of training and panicky thoughts wraped up in it). Are you really going to true a wheel on the side of the road? Can you true a wheel at all? If the answer is no to either of these questions you do not need spoke wrench etc. Same goes for some of the other stuff.
3 CO2 cartridges and one tube, what are you going to do with the other 2 once you inflate the tube with the first one? Are the other 2 in case your brain is functioning so poorly at that time that you cant put the inflator over the valve and push down? If you are so worried about doing such a simple task well enough to get enough air into the tire to get you to the next aid station [max of 10 miles] at which they have a pump what are the chances of you having the wherewithall to complete some of the much more difficult repairs you are carrying tools for? Again, if you can put the inflator over the valve stem and push down what are the chances that you mounted the tube correctly? Ok, good thing you brought 2 more tubes and some patches when you run out. Gets silly pretty fast.
Extra tire, do you think there is really a senario where you are going to completely shred a tire to the point you need a new one that does not involve you going down? Has that ever happened to anyone? I have never seen anything like it.
@Jon - the frame pump is a bad idea. Ever try to use one? They pretty much suck if you want more than 50 lbs of pressure in the tire. Buy a few Co2 cartridges and practice with them until you have piece of mind you can do it no problem. Be happy next time you get a flat and see how fast you can change it. The 3 minute range is pretty good.
Kinda reminds me of all the people who have tubulars and carry a razor blade with them and talk about how if they flat they can just cut the tire off and change it really fast. Ever try it? Freakin impossible. I was only able to cut through a tubbie using a huge metal handled exacto knife and my work bench after I worked at it for about 20 minutes. I have carried a peice of tubbie and a blade into the bar with me a bunch of times and dared anyone to "just slice through it". No one has managed it. Also have been asking anyone on ST to demonstrate the technique and post a video of it for years. No takers. Unless the plan is to kill yourself with the thing [which you might do accidentally trying to cut through a tire BTW] when you realize you are a DNF it is really not much use.
On a related note how many out there have carried something, or still carry something with them on race day that they have no real ability to use? Met lots of people with tubular race wheels who have never personally mounted a tubular tire. Jackassery. If that is you then why even bother to carry a spare? Hoping that you can figure it out on the side of the road with your heart rate through the roof, get it on kinda correct and then ride 40 plus down the next hill? Awesome plan.
If you double flat on race day you should just take it like a skinny shaved German, cry, have a temper tantrum, throw your bike in the lava field and just win next year.
I'm also guessing if you don't know what "true ing" a wheel is you also don't need that tool...
There is something to be said for havinig a trusted bike mechanic give your bike a once over before any big training day and especially before an IM.