Ironman France Bike Course
chriskempton
Posts: 1,245
Bit of a long shot on a cycling forum but work internet bars the usual triathlon forum, so here goes...
Has anyone done Ironman France (Nice) that can advise me on which of my bikes to use? I own a Scott CR1 with clipons if necessary and Dura Ace Scandium wheels and a Planet X Stealth with Bonty X lite carbon wheels. I see the pros and cons as:
The Scott is lighter, should be more comfortable up hills (more upright position), should be better handling on the descents which I've heard are pretty spicy, and has better braking with alu rims.
The Planet X should be faster on the flats and less technical downhill bits, due to more aggressive position and more aero wheels.
I'm a pretty experienced rider - I'm an ex road racer and I've ridden in the Alps before so I'm not naive about the descents. I'm a decent triathlete with a 2:22 Olympic and a sub-6:00 half Ironman time. It'll be my first full ironman. I'm wondering if anyone can advise on which they think will be faster, not forgetting the impact on my ability to run afterwards.
Cheers
Has anyone done Ironman France (Nice) that can advise me on which of my bikes to use? I own a Scott CR1 with clipons if necessary and Dura Ace Scandium wheels and a Planet X Stealth with Bonty X lite carbon wheels. I see the pros and cons as:
The Scott is lighter, should be more comfortable up hills (more upright position), should be better handling on the descents which I've heard are pretty spicy, and has better braking with alu rims.
The Planet X should be faster on the flats and less technical downhill bits, due to more aggressive position and more aero wheels.
I'm a pretty experienced rider - I'm an ex road racer and I've ridden in the Alps before so I'm not naive about the descents. I'm a decent triathlete with a 2:22 Olympic and a sub-6:00 half Ironman time. It'll be my first full ironman. I'm wondering if anyone can advise on which they think will be faster, not forgetting the impact on my ability to run afterwards.
Cheers
0
Comments
-
I should have mentioned the fundamental difference between the 2 bikes is the Scott is a road bike and the Planet X is a TT bike with proper tri bars :oops:0
-
Hey Chris. Not sure I can be of much help for you but I have done most of the route at different times. I live in the region so have cycled a good bit of it. A friend is coming over to do the Ironman next year and he is bringing a TT bike. However I think a road bike with the clipons is probably more suitable. The climb is pretty sustained and the descent is technical so I think I would be more comfortable on a road bike.
With the clip on bars is there much difference between the road and TT bike?
Do you know your FTP (and W/kg?) What chainrings are you planning on using?0 -
Chris - I checked out the TV coverage before I rode it this year. Even the pros were on road bars - with short tribars.
I did it on my Giant TCR with Spinacis on - seemed to work well. There did seem to be a fair few accidents on the course - and theres lots of hairpins that clearly some people couldnt get round. Carbon rims should be fine for the descents - mine were - just check that they are OK in the wet though !
Great event - but its bl**dy hot out there. If you can get used to running in the heat - that would help you.
There were a few TT bikes out there- but I really think thats the wrong choice. Lots of 'all the gear and no idea' in triathlon ! ;-)0
