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Throw in a Spacer 11 Days Before IM?

jmoss70jmoss70
in Racing Forum 🏎

Okay, many of you have heard me complaining about my mid/low back issues.  Can't say the bike and aero position is the ONLY culprit but it doesn't help.  I am considering throwing in a 1cm spacer.  I have emailed Todd Kenyon to see what he thinks.  I'd have my Saturday ride and a few short practice rides before IMCDA in 11 days to try it out. 

Risky?  Other adjustments I will need to make if I throw in a spacer?

Thanks.

Comments

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I would say it's much better to add a spacer than remove one, so close to your race. Since it's not that difficult to add (or remove), I'd def ride with it at as much as you can before CDA.
  • jmoss70jmoss70

    Thanks for the validation Scott.  Todd Kenyon said the same thing.  Add spacer = less aggressive = low/no risk.  There goes the tasty bike split!

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Just checking - was there a problem on the RR? Specifically, (a) were you able to stay aero as much as you wanted and (b) regardless of whether you felt discomfort on the bike, were you able to run effectively and without pain? If the answer to both is "yes", I'd vote for following the well tested rule, no changes to equipment within 4-6 weeks of a big race.

  • Beth_SBeth_S
    Hm. You may need to make a minor saddle height/angle or cleat tweak.
  • jmoss70jmoss70

    @Al - kind of.  Last hour of the RR bike was somewhat uncomfortable.  I can't remember much about the run.  It was a hang on as long as you can type of run.  I may flip it back.  

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Now that I think of it, I had similar concerns about spacers when I got my fit done by Todd. Even with both spacers taken out, my aero position was not as aggressive as we would have hoped. I really wasn't that comfortable with both removed (perhaps because I wasn't used to it at the time), so I compromised and added one back in. Seems to work okay, and that's what I've been doing so far.

    I'm 6 weeks out from my IM right now, so removing that last spacer for me probably isn't a good idea. Might try it just for one ride to see how it feels now that I've adapted to one spacer out, but I don't have much intention of actually doing it on race day.
  • Jump4Joy19Jump4Joy19

    I added a spacer 2 weeks ago and my lower back is much more comfortable. In my case, it's to offset the knee/lower back injury that I've been slowly nursing back to health. Yes it's less aero, but I think with the level of discomfort I was having in the last couple hours of biking it was worth it. I did it before RR#2 and my back was much more comfortable than on RR#1. n=1

  • jmoss70jmoss70

    We are in a similar situation.  Todd Kenyon was pretty forthright in his email to me today that adding a 1cm spacer would not be a risk to the upcoming IMCDA. 

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