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Discussion: Silly transition question
Subject: Silly transition question By: Stacey U. Written on: 2006-05-25 19:43:34 Message: Hello there, While I have a few tris under my belt, I'm always still working on making my transitions faster. i know that if I leave my shoes in the clips on the bike, my transitions would be faster. My question is....how exactly do I get on? If I have to get going before my feet are in the shoes, when do I put my feet in? And how? Confused by the whole process....Getting off seems to be easier than getting on. I'd like to practice this, but have no idea how to set up. (Main problem- the shoes flip upside down on the pedals, how do you keep them upright to get your feet in?) Please dont laugh-I'm too embarrased to ask at the bike shop. Stacey
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-05-25 20:02:03 Message: Rubber bands from the loops at the back of the shoe linked to the skewer of the rear wheel. You will need to get the right length an strength of rubber bands so that they break when you start to pedal. With some shoes you need to put your feet on top and pedal up to a controlable speed then put your feet in. My Shimano shoes have a notch on the velcro closer that holds the shoe open so that I can slide my foot in as I mount. Better practice this a bunch before race day. Ron
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Sarah B. Written on: 2006-05-25 22:43:29 Message: Since it only takes me about 2 seconds to slip my shoes on (off the bike), I don't know that having them already clipped to the bike would actually save me time. It would probably take me longer to get going. Keeping the shoes clipped into the pedals for dismount makes more sense to me.
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-05-25 23:22:58 Message: It is actually quite fast and the other advantage is not having to run in the bike shoes. You are right that it doesn't save all that much time so if you are not comfortable doing it then it is not worth it. The problem with taking your feet out of the shoes on the way back in is that the shoes dangle hit the ground and can be knocked off of the pedals when running to the rack. I run out in my socks and back in wearing my biking shoes. My last transition area was long from the bike in and out to my rack I estimate that running in the shoes cost an exta 10 seconds but I don't have to worry about stopping to pick up a shoe. I put my shoes on faster while they are being held by the pedal than I can put them on bending and holding them but my shoes are made for this (shimano TR 02). If the goal is to finish none of this matters if the goal is to win then it might. Besides it is fun to try to do it like the pro's! Ron
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: joel y. Written on: 2006-05-26 05:59:46 Message: Just make sure you have mastered that skill. My first time trying this ended up with my face getting a little road rash and cool points scattered all over the ground. Joel
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-05-27 20:03:02 Message: I stand corrected. I went for a run this morning with a pro triathlete friend. He said the problem with having the shoes knocked off of the pedals on the way in to the transition is simple. Just pick up the rear wheel of the bike an inch or so as you run in. He said that doing it this way is safer than running in bike shoes and also much faster. So tomorrow I will be in a parking lot runnig beside my bike like some madman with my shoes dangling from the pedals. Anybody else want to try it and give a report? Ron
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Sarah B. Written on: 2006-05-29 10:50:33 Message: Ron made a really good point about how long you will have to run from the bike rack to where you can mount your bike. If it's a longer run, then it makes a lot more sense to have your shoes already clipped in so you don't lose time trying to run that far on your cleats. If it's relatively short, then you may be better off just putting on your shoes and running to the bike start.
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Jamojman . Written on: 2006-05-29 11:07:40 Message: I have the same shoes as Ron and have the rubber band attached to the shoe strap and my bottle bideon. When comming into the dismount area I am all ready out of the shoes and standing on top of my left shoe, side saddle style. Because of the momentum of hopping off while moving fast I leave my shoe at 3 O'clock and it does not swing forward or backward enough to hit the ground. This avoids the shoe getting trapped and either comming off ( which sux because you have to go back and get it) or the bike jumping 10 inches into the air from the back and you going ars over the handlbars. I think it is crazy you guys run on your cleats! So many more chances of slipping on the bituman or loose gravel. Some of our transition areas come off grass and straight onto a up hill road. I find it faster to just run the bike out of transition and over the bike line and straight up the hill to mount it while every one else has stopped to put there feet into the shoes. This strategy off running through the bike mount are can clear you of the congestion, especialy when every one is falling all over the place and it is so crowded.
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Sarah B. Written on: 2006-05-29 16:12:14 Message: What is a bituman? I'm not trying to be a smart aleck, I've honestly never heard that term and I'm curious.
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Jamojman . Written on: 2006-05-31 03:04:13 Message: Serious? I mean the road. My turn. Pavement means concrete? What do you call the road, ashphelt? Normally the road is bituman, pavement is a foot path, ashphelt is referred too in a school yard environment ( quadrangle), tarmac is for runways and tar is the sticky sh*t you get on your bike and car when they resurface the road.
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: Roland G. Written on: 2006-05-31 08:58:59 Message: I think it would depend on the terrain. If the path between T1 and bike mount is rough/rocky....it would be in your best interest to just slip you shoes on in T1....but if the path is smooth and the bike mount area is flat or slightly down hill, you can get a good fast bike mount with your shoes clipped-n-rubber banded. The object here is to fasten your shoes/pedals to your bike that allow you to place your feet on top of your shoes to pedal out of the bike mount area....then when you get going, slip one foot in at a time until both feet are secure. It takes practice....Good Luck!
Subject: RE: Silly transition question By: John P. Written on: 2006-06-03 19:33:38 Message: In Canada: Pavement(ASPHALT) is what most roads are sealed with. Some have CEMENT, very few in eastern Canada. Some areas may be covered in crushed limestone, anywhere from 1/4 minus to 3/4 or mixed. This is usually on paths and is very hard to bike on. From experience I can tell you that cement is extremely painful to crash on. lots of road rash. LOL
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