Road Bike Racing - Cat5 with a Triple?

I was hoping to get some feedback on riding as a Cat5 with a triple crank. Do you guys think it would be a problem with riding a triple at that level?

It won't matter at all assuming you keep it shifting properly. You won't be the only one with a triple.

I did in the four races I did this fall. Next year I plan to have a new race bike with a double.

You won't be the only one with a triple.

True, that. But even if you were, so what?

Do you guys think it would be a problem with riding a triple at that level?

No. Race what you have - it will not be a problem. It will especially not be a problem if you're fast. :D

... Brad

You won't be the only one with a triple.
But even if you were, so what?

It's kind of a big deal, actually. All of the other kids will laugh and point and call him names.

Just make sure those names have the word fast somewhere in there.

examples:

That fast mofo

That fast SOB

That fast mofo'ing SOB w/ the triple.

I was hoping to get some feedback on riding as a Cat5 with a triple crank. Do you guys think it would be a problem with riding a triple at that level?

I saw one guy race without a downtube.

I saw one guy race without a downtube.

Sure, but was he a fast guy without a downtube?

I've raced for the past season with a triple and had no issues with it. You'll never use the granny ring, so it's definitely unnecessary weight, but it's not going to cost you position. The only think I can think of is that it is a little harder shifting to the big ring with on a triple, but again...negligible.

almost every triple i've ever seen (except for some really cheap ones) have bolts attaching the small chainring... you could unbolt it if it's causing you that much angst. relax, you're a cat 5, you're allowed to be a fred. and like others have mentioned, no one laughs at the guy with triple who finishes ahead of them

i think you'll find this post funny once u actually finish your first race and realize the difference between a triple and double was about as important your helmet matching your jersey.

i think you'll find this post funny once u actually finish your first race and realize the difference between a triple and double was about as important your helmet matching your jersey.

Which brings me to my next questions... :)

Seriously though everybody, I really appreciate the feedback to my sometimes naive questions. The reason I was asking is that a MTB friend of mine thinks that the top-speed for a double crank is higher than that of a triple crank (nevermind as to whether I can actually max out my speed on either a double or triple, lol).

Which brings me to my next questions... :)

Seriously though everybody, I really appreciate the feedback to my sometimes naive questions. The reason I was asking is that a MTB friend of mine thinks that the top-speed for a double crank is higher than that of a triple crank (nevermind as to whether I can actually max out my speed on either a double or triple, lol).

Ha ha. Yeah that is funny. It would appear that your friend does not understand bicycle gearing.

Which brings me to my next questions... :)

Seriously though everybody, I really appreciate the feedback to my sometimes naive questions. The reason I was asking is that a MTB friend of mine thinks that the top-speed for a double crank is higher than that of a triple crank (nevermind as to whether I can actually max out my speed on either a double or triple, lol).

Not true unless front chainring is smaller, which it might be.
Compact cranks have a smaller chainring in the front too though. Meh...

Edit: Referring to the big chainring.

Not true unless front chainring is smaller, which it might be.
Compact cranks have a smaller chainring in the front too though. Meh...

Edit: Referring to the big chainring.

Both of those points are moot if you can't thrown down the W's. There are plenty of people who are faster on a 50x12 than others on 53x11 gearing. All about turning the pedals over at a high rate of speed, not your biggest gear.

The reason I was asking is that a MTB friend of mine thinks that the top-speed for a double crank is higher than that of a triple crank (nevermind as to whether I can actually max out my speed on either a double or triple, lol).

Chances are your MTB friend's biggest chain ring on his triple is a bit smaller than the biggest chain ring on your roadie triple.

Don't most "full-size" doubles have a 53x12 gear while most compacts have a 50x11 making the compact have a slightly higher top gear?

-Barry-

Don't most "full-size" doubles have a 53x12 gear while most compacts have a 50x11 making the compact have a slightly higher top gear?

-Barry-

My double has a 54/39x11-23 if I so choose.

Or, a 53/39-25, or even a 14-25. Horses for courses. Generally the 53/39x11-23 combo.

The fact of the matter is that most people lack the power to turn over a big gear at a high cadence, and can't make full use of whatever high gear they have.

Assuming you can spin, 50x12 is plenty of gear. And I bet your triple likely has a 52 for the big ring, which is a deminimis difference from a 53 (pretty standard size big ring on most double cranks).

If you only have a 50 front chainring, and you're worried about being outgeared, you can always put an 11 tooth cassette on the back. 50x11 is a bigger gear than 53x12.

But back to the main point, assuming you can spin a decent cadence, you'll have a plenty big enough gear with what your bike came with.

The rider, not the gearing, makes the bike fast.

I saw a person racing in Conquer the Canyons on a hybrid.

Unless it's some kind of hilly road race, you're probably not going to be shifting out of your big ring anyway.

I saw one guy race without a downtube.

ha, I remember that guy. I passed him on the final sprint at the Allen park crit. Guess the Slingshot frame isn't the stiffest.

As for a triple. I've raced a few cat 5 races with good results using a triple, and almost never took it out of the middle ring. Only time I put it in the big ring was on the final sprint. I like spinning.

As for a triple. I've raced a few cat 5 races with good results using a triple, and almost never took it out of the middle ring. Only time I put it in the big ring was on the final sprint. I like spinning.

what kind of pace do the Cat 5 guys average......on average....

what kind of pace do the Cat 5 guys average......on average....

That's a question no one can answer. Even a flat crit course can have huge variations in speed. It depends on so many things; the talent of the field, size of the field, condition of the course, the number of corners, weather factors... Also, the pace will vary all the time.

But you can usually count on it be the slowest, and shortest race of the day. I rode 50m behind the Cat5's at a small race near here for a couple of laps during my warmup a while back.

I rode 50m behind the Cat5's at a small race near here for a couple of laps during my warmup a while back.

Sometimes I do that halfway through the Cat4/5 race as an impromptu cooldown. Except the 50m grows to 100, 200, OTB, etc...

If the bike rolls, shifts, stops, etc., it's fine for a Cat.5 (or higher).


:beer:

what kind of pace do the Cat 5 guys average......on average....

Well looking at my garmin log,
one was 23.2 mph with 60 feet of climbing per lap (almost exactly a mile/lap) and that one I never went out of the middle ring.
another was 24.6, IIRC I only shifted on the last lap. That one was about as flat as you could get. 6ft gain per lap lol
A few around 24ish
One was 28 mph for the time I was in it, but some dumbass crashed into me, ending my race.

But I can spin fast, so don't use my middle ring tendency as an indication that cat 5 is slow. I could spin up to 30 mph in my center ring. I can spin to 130+ rpm and keep it there. Since everyone starts in cat5, there can be some guys who are really fast who probably are cat3 or faster material, but since they are just starting to race, they don't have the experience to move up.

One was 28 mph for the time I was in it, but some dumbass crashed into me, ending my race.

Might I hijack this thread with two comments:

1) That was an f-ing fast race (it didn't slow down);
2) I was not the dumbass in question.

A couple of my mentees who raced 5s this year reported 23-25mph in TX. I've been in a Cat 4 race that was 28.5, and was faster than the 1/2/P race that day (though 40 minutes shorter). The speeds can and will vary wildly.

Every CAT 4 crit ive been in this year averaged 28+ MPH. Road races have been about the same but a tad slower.


Just keep in mind that CAT 5 is for new racers but dont expect slow riders. Seen too many threads here with the OMGZ CAT 5 IZ TOO FAST SANDBAGGEERS!!!!!!!! A lot of the CAT 5 guys can ride really strong.

Every CAT 4 crit ive been in this year averaged 28+ MPH. Road races have been about the same but a tad slower.

That's bonkers.

One of my hardest crits this year averaged 21mph.

But it did have 7 corners, including a 180, and a hurtful climb. I got lapped and still finished in the top third. It was carnage.

At a superweek crit, in the 3s, half of which were qualified to be 2s, we averaged 26.8 for 50 miles.

Last year's Pro/1/2 USPRO crit averaged 27.5 for 100km/62mi.

2005 USPRO crit averaged 26.9.

I like the idea of a triple. Hell I might just go get one if I thought it would annoy somebody.

I prefer to race on the crappiest, cheapest, most beat-up bike I can stand to ride.

I always make it a point to go up to guys on nice bikes and compliment them on their bikes and tell them how I'm just not fast enough to have a bike like that.

One of these days, I will do a local Crit on my mountain bike with slicks.

Its all fun...

-Z

At a superweek crit, in the 3s, half of which were qualified to be 2s, we averaged 26.8 for 50 miles.

Last year's Pro/1/2 USPRO crit averaged 27.5 for 100km/62mi.

2005 USPRO crit averaged 26.9.

Sometimes 4/5's can end up with fast averages because we race stupid.

Obviously the USPRO crit would average a lot faster if everyone buried it from the get go, but tactics and the dynamic of the race affect the average.

Whereas in 4/5 races, there's often someone stupidly pushing the pace for no tactical reason, resulting in higher averages than you'd otherwise expect.

Whereas in 4/5 races, there's often someone stupidly pushing the pace for no tactical reason, resulting in higher averages than you'd otherwise expect.

You don't need to call me names, Merlin.

One of these days, I will do a local Crit on my mountain bike with slicks.
-Z you'll need to put drop bars on it, but that will only make it better

you'll need to put drop bars on it, but that will only make it better

Pshh, just put long bar ends and rotate them so there pointing downwards. Instant drop bars lol. There is this old man (60's maybe) and strong as an ox that rides with us on mondays that for his other bike (primary being full record litespeed with zipp 404's) is an older titanium mongoose mtb frame with straight mtb bars, and superlightweight everything (mix of road and mtb parts), with road wheels. His bike makes alot of modern road bikes look heavy. What's funny is his gearing is more stout then my roadbike. He's running a 11-21 cassette with a std road crank.

That's bonkers.

One of my hardest crits this year averaged 21mph.

But it did have 7 corners, including a 180, and a hurtful climb. I got lapped and still finished in the top third. It was carnage.

Ya'll should come to Japan:
2006 Japan Nat'l RR Course, 21.5 mph, 3 laps:
http://www.cycleiwakuni.com/blog/files/tom_thumb_hiroprofile.jpg (http://www.cycleiwakuni.com/blog/files/tom_hiroprofile.jpg)

Local MUP, 21.4 mph, 9 laps:
http://www.cycleiwakuni.com/blog/files/tom_thumb_mominoki_profile.jpg (http://www.cycleiwakuni.com/blog/files/tom_mominoki_profile.jpg)

Just about everything else was 23+ mph.

40km circuit: 41.3kph
Flat 2.5 km crit, 12 laps: 39 kph
165km RR, 2500m of climbing: 34.7 kph

250km RR: 34 kph
http://www.cycleiwakuni.com/blog/files/tom_thumb_cannonballprofile.jpg (http://www.cycleiwakuni.com/blog/files/tom_cannonballprofile.jpg)

3 hr circuit: 37kph
45 min crit, good size climb: 40.6 kph
90 min circuit, 2 monster hills: 34.4 kph
This week's 2 hr circuit: 40.04 kph

As long as you have the right gears for the race, triple won't be problem, but i would adjust the front der so that you can only get the middle and big chainrings, that way you don't have to worry about the small CR.

That's bonkers.

One of my hardest crits this year averaged 21mph.

But it did have 7 corners, including a 180, and a hurtful climb. I got lapped and still finished in the top third. It was carnage.



Yep my last cat 4 crit this year was in chattanoga and it was really flat with 4 corners, a big rectangle. We avg over 28 and most every single straight we were 30-32 every single lap. It was crazy.

The thing with 4s is that they just go 100% the whole time, no tactics, no plan, just go 100% ;) Its tough but its fun. Most all of my 4s races were faster than what the 3s were doing.

Hell, man, I'm racing on a steel frame, and no one says "boo" to me. No one will care if you've got a triple crankset.

just ride and race, you'll never touch that gear in a race, I know I didn't. I trained myself not to even use the damn thing on normal rides, now that I have my new bike with doubles, I know I can climb everything with it.