Drinks bottle & spares

[yuffie]

Hi Bella/ Stephen

Firstly good luck to you both for 2010

Will see you in Lanza as I'm there for the 3rd time this year

Two questions

1. I've seen Stephen & you too I think using a normal drinks bottle which sits between but on top of the tri bars , facing forwards (like a bullet) - can't seem to locate the holder for this set-up.............can you perhaps let me know where they come from & what they're called.

2. Also I'm playing the tubs versus clinchers game at the moment - I have both and love them but am unsure over spares (tubes/ tubs)  - I see alot of pros now carrying no spares  -or they hide them somewhere I can't spot ! - speed wise I feel tubs faster but a pain if they pop - tubes are easier but heavier and slower - .............any thoughts ?

thanks

Keith

[StephenBayliss]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your questions.

For the bottle on the aerobars,  we are just using a normal bottle cage, with zip ties holding it in place.  You may have to experiment a bit, but a few zip ties should be all you need.

We always take spares,  I use a saddle bag with a spare tub and 2 gas.  Bella has her spares in a bottle cage behind the seat,  she often uses clinchers, so takes 2 innertubes and 2 gas and tyre levers.  It sounds like you may be happier using clinchers so I would go with that.  A good set of clinchers is not very different in terms of performance to a good set of tubs.

All the best with your training for Ironman Lanzarote.

See you there.

Stephen

[Matthieu O’Halloran - "M@"]

Hey Keith, I just wanna add that many athetes carry pit stop cans on their bikes for racing. Its like a gu that you pump into your tubular, it then seals the problem and fills/inflate your tire.

http://www.trisports.com/vipitst.html

One problem is, if the cut if serious, then the gu will just run out of the tire...

Thats why some athletes might look like they dont have any spares on their bikes 

[doc]

you pay  big money to race
where the clinchers and get every km for your money
stephens right
not much different ,and easy to change .
pros race is usualy over if your not a bike monster , so some do as matt says and others
just say i am out of the money to day

[Matthieu O’Halloran - "M@"]

Hey one piece of tri-gadgets that I got myself is one of them little hand pumps that also has a CO2 inside, I think its pretty bulletproff plan!

Another good reason why I so many athletes go with clincher race wheels, is that you can carry 2 spares on the bike no problem!

[yuffie]

Thanks all for your replies

Some good sense spoken by the Doc there too - as I'm not racing for the cash  - I can afford a short stop & maybe the clinchers route is more safe & sensible - never have changed a tub in a race but I'm sure it would take a fair bit longer.

It's just that deep inside we all want to go faster and I do on my tubs BUT the spare tub & time taken if I do puncture is a real concern -

I punctured last year at BOTH IM Lanza & IMUK - for sanity's sake I sold the whole wheel set up & swapped to another this year - I'm sure it was just a case of bad luck - but of course it's on my mind.

Not sure which set up I'll run with but fingers crossed that whichever I do choose ......the air stays in this year !

BTW - just back from 10 days training in Lanza and the winds were beastly - 30mph in your face up those climbs is no joke - managed a 6 hours circuit though - so well pleased - they've made a few minor changes to the bike route and a great change to the run route too..........anyhow thanks again and good luck to all TEAM TBB.

 

[BellaBayliss]

Hi Yuffie

from what you have just said, I would definitely just go with what your comfortable on.  Go with the clinchers!  ..you are used to them and that you know how to change them!

I dont think there is a huge amount of difference in speed between tubs and clinchers!  I'll be racing on clinchers for many of my races this year, it wont bother me a bit!

[Huggy Bear]

This year I have gone back to clinchers - (two spare tubes and 2 gas/levers (+3 small allen keys) in a water bottle behind seat) and I am much happier with it.
A spare tub is quite big and hard to attach I found. Also if you puncture with the tubular then I dont have a alot of confidence in descending long hills with it after it's been changed. Also having same for training and racing is cheaper and easier.

One thing - I had a test go at filling up tube with CO2 gas and first attempt it nearly froze to the skin on my hand and I had to drop it!!! On second attempt I was ready for this and just about survived with skin intact. It was quick though and got it to a high pressure. I'm confident to use CO2 and adapter in race now.

Made me think - 2 things
1 - if you have CO2 try it first!!!! (I'm thinking that more than a few people will have made this mistake and not admitted it!)
2 - is the normal for it to go so cold so quick and if so any tips to avoid frostbite??
Cheers

[DamienC]

Yes, it is normal, it has something to do with compressed gasses decompressing.  Some get hot, some get cold.  The same thing happens with LPG gas bottles.

You can buy little neoprene covers for your CO2, or if you're that way inclined, you can make your own from the fingers off an old pair of warm gloves.

[Huggy Bear]

Thanks Damien
I'll have to go and start chopping up the winter gloves now!!! Havent seen neoprene covers - surprised blue seventy dont sell them.
Cheers

[Jockey]

Can also use a couple of piece of old inner tube, fits nicely over a C02.