Question for those that have done Ironman Lake Placid
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burnman posted 28 weeks ago.
I haven't done IMLP, but I live in the area and ride throughout the Adirondacks. I'm not at all a strong rider, and I run 12-26 in the back. If you're a strong rider, you study the course, and stick to a game plan, then you may be able to get away with 11-23. Try to extend yourself too early, and you might not have room to bail out on the last climb back into LP. I've done the stretch between Wilmington and LP (basically the last 12 miles of the course, steady climb), and it's a solid workout - even on fresh legs. If you're questioning your gearing at all, it's probably safer to grab an expanded cassette and pick up some lower gearing. BTW, it's such a sweet area to ride in, you won't mind going slow.
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Anton posted 28 weeks ago.
I've done IMLP x 3 and think a 11-27 is spot on. I come from a hilly area and ride 11-27 all the time even though most of the time I don't use them...
At IMLP however, while the first lap is easy...the second isn't. Having those extra gears in the Momma Bear Hills (coming back into town) will make all the difference on the run and that's key...trashing your legs on the bike will come back and kill you and turn the run into a walk-a-thon. I know. I've done it.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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speedster67 posted 28 weeks ago.
Thanks, I was kind of leaning towards an 11-27 :)
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kona_expat posted 28 weeks ago.
Are you on 650 or 700 wheels? Size of rings?
53-39 on 650's w/12-27 is what I've done. I don't really think you'll need the 11.
With compact crank, though, I only put a 12-25 on back, which is fine.
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speedster67 posted 28 weeks ago.
No, I'm on 700's....I'm 6'3" AND 225 lbs. so going up is going to be a b!tch, so I need all the help I can get.
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Anton posted 28 weeks ago.
kona_expat wrote:
Are you on 650 or 700 wheels? Size of rings?53-39 on 650's w/12-27 is what I've done. I don't really think you'll need the 11.
With compact crank, though, I only put a 12-25 on back, which is fine.
Oh, come on Kona! Only a wisp of a thing like you can get by on 650's! ;)
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
For those who have done IMLP or train in the hills and are familiar with climbing them on the bike....I have a Cervelo P3C and am doing IMLP, and right now I am riding a 11-23 cassette. I live in Florida where it is flat, flat, flat.....any suggestions on which cassette would suite Lake Placid the best.....11-27? The last thing I want to do is run out of gears. Thanks, and any suggestions would be appreciated.