Newbie transistion/pedal question?
vyberman
Posts: 28
in General Chat
Hi all
OK I'm really new to triathlon. did my first one last year (came 6th which was nice, but there were only 45ish entrants).
One thing I did learn was how easy it is to screw a race up in transition, probably a familiar story. My problem was shoes.
I rode in riding shoes and ran in running shoes. But the bike was really short at 3k, so it was totally pointless changing shoes. anything gained from the bike shoes was lost on the change, and, dare I admit, the putting on of socks...Muppet Although one guy powdered his feet! So maybe 6th wasn't so great
Anyway. My question is about shoes, pedals and race length.
In shorter races its clear its better to ride in my running shoes. So what are the pedal options? Are toe clips allowed, or is it just a plain flat pedal job? Or are there any posh tips that a novice wouldn't yet know about which I'm missing? Like for example riding shoes that you can run in?
Race length. My first proper tri this year is a sprint 750m/20km/5km, so I'm torn as to weather or not a shoe change is the way to go? The time changing them compared to what I will gain over 20km is hard to judge (I'm more of a mountain biker than a road bike user you see)
I know that a lot of this will be down to personal preference, but what length of race does the change of shoes start to offer any real advantage over the time taken to change them?
V
OK I'm really new to triathlon. did my first one last year (came 6th which was nice, but there were only 45ish entrants).
One thing I did learn was how easy it is to screw a race up in transition, probably a familiar story. My problem was shoes.
I rode in riding shoes and ran in running shoes. But the bike was really short at 3k, so it was totally pointless changing shoes. anything gained from the bike shoes was lost on the change, and, dare I admit, the putting on of socks...Muppet Although one guy powdered his feet! So maybe 6th wasn't so great
Anyway. My question is about shoes, pedals and race length.
In shorter races its clear its better to ride in my running shoes. So what are the pedal options? Are toe clips allowed, or is it just a plain flat pedal job? Or are there any posh tips that a novice wouldn't yet know about which I'm missing? Like for example riding shoes that you can run in?
Race length. My first proper tri this year is a sprint 750m/20km/5km, so I'm torn as to weather or not a shoe change is the way to go? The time changing them compared to what I will gain over 20km is hard to judge (I'm more of a mountain biker than a road bike user you see)
I know that a lot of this will be down to personal preference, but what length of race does the change of shoes start to offer any real advantage over the time taken to change them?
V
0
Comments
Running barefoot over gravel isnt winning!
Our local sprint event the T2 times of the top guys was under 15s! so changing shoes isnt that big a penalty. Not using cycle shoes tho......thats going to costs you more then 15s whatever your level and I would nt want to run in even a SPD MTB/Leisure shoe
Practice the T1/T2 transitions.
I like the sound of this!
I like the sound of this![/quote:r1fu61dg]
Now that is a sprint!!!
Really - any tangible benifits.
You first of all check your shoes relaxation and than think of the running... Alway's use the best one and comfortable shoes for running and I think that selection of the good and comfortable shoes is much helpful in running.... Check that one...
Also i was planning on wearing socks... (i have delicate feet ) is this a no-no??
Tricky question - depends on shoes my MTB shoes would be borderline for tri 'cos they're lace up - which is v slow with stress and adrenaline fuelled fingers
My tri shoes just have a velcro strap so are aleady clipped in and stay clipped in just pop feet in and out so transition is rapid (<1 min if no wetsuit)
It's all personal choice on socks - I don't wear any just a load of talc
* pre-talc socks and mtb shoes with velcro straps (bought MTBs for commuting last year, haven't replaced them)
* MTBs on floor not on bike
* use elastic laces in running shoes.
Transition times certainly not the quickest, but not the slowest either
i almost cant wait for my first tri to be out the way so i no what to expect as at the moment its all unknown!!
Get lots of practice in on the bike with the pedals, you will fall over so you don't wat to do that in a race.
Re socks, I used to wear socks but if you apply Bodyglide around the heel and upper contact parts of the shoe you should be OK, works for me.
Anyway, just relax, enjoy your first tri, learn from it, practice transition, get there early, at least drive the route, recce routes in and out of transition, asks lots of questions from officials and other competitors - we are friendly and most happy to chat and pass on tips.
I'm glad you're excited about your race- I'm in my third season now and still spend at least two days before each event pretty terrified. And don't get me started on actual race morning nerves.... my constant mantra on poolside is 'what's the worst that could happen...?' over and over to try and calm down so i don't drown.
Or a pogo-stick?
Black and far, far more expensive than a standard one. Capable of jumping over cars I imagine.
In answer to the question about the other distances. It was 200m/3k/1500m.
To be honest I thought the bike at 3k was a waste of time. You just start getting into your stride then you have to jump off and run. And then again with the run, just got into it and it was game over. With the bike so short it really made it a runners race.
The race was over just as it begun, 20 mins or so... I went mountain biking afterwards
So based on peoples comments and advice I will be changing shoes in T2. But being a mountain biker it will be into my MTB shoes. I dont think I will ever use road shoes/pedals. MTB shoes are ace! You can dismount the bike at full tilt going into T2! Just cock your leg over then hop off so your feet hit the ground as the wheel meets the line, and you can run in them. Wouldn't want to do that in road shoes or bare feet.
MTB'ers tend to fall into two categories, flats or cleats. Both have advantages over the other, but when it comes to pedal power cleats win hands down because flat pedals require soft soled shoes...which is why I'm always first to the top of the hill (and usually first down the other side )
from memory I did the IMUK bike leg at 17 average and I can do a 24 min 10 mile TT with the MTB shoes on a TT bike - will be interesting to see what difference it makes with road shoes.
benefit of MTB shoes as said above is that you can walk/run in them, unlike roadies.