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Coach Rich - IMAZ Gearing Permission Thread

TerryOTerryO
in Group Discussion-Ironman Arizona 2011

OK, everyone.  Now that we are all done with our RR's and ready to taper, its time to start finalizing race plans.  Part of that is selecting the correct gearing for your bike.  EN dogma states that virtually any course in the world can, and should, be done by mostly any athlete with a compact up front and a 12/25 in the rear.  Every EN athlete's bike is subject to search by Rich prior to check-in.  Therefore, any deviation from this standard should, respectfully, be only with permission from Rich himself lest you be subject to a swift kick in the nutz (or whichever type of gonads you may have).  There are good reasons for this, and you may find good advice regarding proper gearing, whether  it's what you picked or not.  I'll start.

Rich.  I am planning on going with my compact 50/34 and an 11/23 for IMAZ.  I've been using a 12/23 for my training rides this fall including my rides here in Phoenix.  On my Beeline rides, including my RR today, I found myself using the 23 very little despite big ring up front, but on the downhill from the turnaround I have been spinning out with the 50/12.  It seemed to make sense to run an 11/23 to be able to maintain some decent watts (difference between 100-110 and maybe 130-140) and maybe pick up a little extra speed, if only for that 6 mile descent, tailwinds notwithstanding.  That sound OK?

Comments

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Yes, that is fine, thanks for asking. Nut-whack averted...

  • JeremyBehlerJeremyBehler
    Me too. Been training with a compact and 11/23. rarely use the 23 with the exception of a short 12% climb to get back into my neighborhood. Permission to ride?
  • Jennifer EckertJennifer Eckert

    Rich,

    Okay, I don't have a compact...but...I do have an 11-28 on both aero wheels and race wheels. (that whay I don't have to change out cassettes depending on which wheels I decide to use)..do I need permission???

    Everyone has said it shouldn't be windy enough to be concerned with using aero's...but last year it was raining and windy and Patrick says it can go either way...so should I go with my SRAM 40(front) SRAM 60(rear) wheels??

    Thanks, Jennifer

  • Dominic MalleoDominic Malleo

     @Jennifer - the comment sounds tongue-in-cheek, but am just curious how the wide gap feels between the 24-28 feels in the 28x11? As I understand it, there are no climbs but the wind can be strong and somewhat unpredictable but normally a headwind out and tailwind back on both loops (winds were reversed in 2009 or 2010).  Have you considered a 25-12 or a 27-12 to reduce the gaps and give you a few more gears/options? 

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