Ironman Cycling Needs

[JVic]

Ironman Cycling Needs

I am trying to figure out how I am going to attach my necessary items (tire lever, 2 tubes, 3 CO2’s and a patch kit) to my bike frame for an upcoming IM. I love the idea of the X-Lab products but already am content with the PD Aerodrink for my hydration needs. Aside from getting a bigger saddle bag to hold everything how does everyone do it? I suppose I could try taping things to the frame but there’s got to be a better way. I can barley jam 1 CO2, 1tube and a speed lever into my current saddle bag, but don’t really want to get some huge suitcase lookin’ thing to hold everything.

Any veterans have advice for an IM rookie?

Thanks in advance.

JVic

[dogpound]

well, I hae 2 waterbottles on the bike, and room for 2 more on the back with a profile waterbottle holder. 3 bottles was plenty for me with bottle swaps every 10 miles or so, so I used a waterbottle to hold all my tools.
I also use a bento box that goes on my top tube for food.
3 IMs later, it's worked great.

[Ironwoman]

I don't know how big your current bag is, but my saddle bag is not very big, yet it holds a lot of stuff. For Ironman, I am able to fit in my 2 levers, 2 or 3 CO2's, CO2 nozzle, and various other things. I have sew up's, so I have to carry spare tires with me. I take 2. I put one above my bag (right underneath the saddle) and one below the bag. I use velcro straps to attach the tires. If you are using tubes, you could do the same thing if they don't fit in your bag. Wrap a rubber band or velcro strap around the tube to keep it coiled up, then weave another velcro strap through the middle of the coil , wrap around the tube again, and attach to the rails of your bike seat. For me, the tires fit in there so tightly that I hardly even need to strap them in, but I learned in one race that things can come loose quite easily going over bumps in the road. (Note: the one time that I used my clinchers for a race I was able to squeeze the tubes plus CO2's in my bag.) There is a velcro strap around the bottom of my saddle bag. I just use that to secure my 2nd tire. I've also seen people strap their tires/tubes in their water bottle cages.

Another thing I do is stuff things into my JetStream cover. I use the Profile Water bottle that fits between my aerobars. I have a neoprene JetStream cover that I use on the bottom of that water bottle. I don't put tools or anything in there, but it is a great place to store GU or other food items that you may need.

OK, this has nothing to do with bike equipment, but there is one more thing that I use to carry stuff for the Ironman race: a GU pouch. This is a little cloth pouch that clips onto my suit. I use it for GU, of course, but I put other things in there also, like aspirine, Maalox Gas relief, Flexol, Salt Tabs, bandaid...anything I think I may need along the way.

Good luck to you! :)

[JVic]

Great idea regarding the tube placment .... you can kind of see how they do it in the magazines but its different when you try it yourself. I had one tube, tire lever 1 co2 and the co2 adapter in the bag then velcroed another tube and co2 to the seat post. I think your idea is better with 1 under and 1 over the bag itself .... Im gonna try it today.
I'll have to look into that Gu Pouch thing ... never heard of anything like that. I aws typically taping the gu to the top tube.

[chrisesposito]

I use one of these: http://www.trisports.com/benbakil.html, mounted on the top tube, behind the head tube, as shown in the picture. That frees up the space behind the seat for hydration, additional storage, etc.

[dogpound]

I use one of these: http://www.trisports.com/benbakil.html, mounted on the top tube, behind the head tube, as shown in the picture. That frees up the space behind the seat for hydration, additional storage, etc.
yes, that's what I'm talking about.
Ride with it for a while, some people find it really annoying.

[Ironwoman]

Here's a picture of my Gu Pouch. It measures 5" x 3.5" .
http://ironwoman.smugmug.com/photos/59890254-S.jpg

And from the back you can see the clips where you can hook it on your suit.
http://ironwoman.smugmug.com/photos/59890260-S.jpg

Here's a link to the Gu website page that has a GU Pocket. I'm not sure if it is the same, but it looks similar - not sure of the size.
Gu Pouch (http://www.gusports.com/html/acc_pocket.htm)

The good thing about the GU pouch is that you can wear it on the bike...and on the run. If you wear a race belt, I guess you could clip it on there. I just clip it onto the top band of my tri suit bikini bottoms.

[LiteSS]

I've got a pretty small saddle bag, and put in 2 CO2 bottles, 1 tube, and a small box of patches. I use one of the really small nozzles for the CO2 bottles (about the size of gumball), two levers, and there is still plenty of room in the bag. That was all I took with me on my IM. Even though it's a long race, you're probably not going to get a flat. If you have the one tube and the patches, you should be all set even if you get more than one flat. If your current tires/tubes have been on the bike for a while, I would replace them and worry less about what you take with you.

[Lamy]

IM Canada last year there was tacks all over the road. Neutral support changed 100 tires/tubes.

[RoadToad]

What kind of ******* would do that???

[RoadToad]

What kind of ******* would do that???

[Ironwoman]

IM Canada last year there was tacks all over the road. Neutral support changed 100 tires/tubes.

That happened in Hawaii one year. Some people just don't like triathletes.

[Lamy]

same kinda clowns that do protests at huge races..Eg. Tour De France.