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T1 Question...Rubberband Man?

MaverickUNC's picture
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started by MaverickUNC on March 16, 2006

So now that I actually have a bike with pedals and shoes I've been looking at T1 alot differently. My first tri with my new bike is coming up in early April and I was wondering if I should attach my pedals with rubber bands or just throw on the shoes and jump on the bike? I practiced a bit with the rubber bands today and found that I was into the shoes and moving near race pace within 30 seconds. During this practice, though, it felt a bit awkard and I questioned the benefits. To the veterans out there: what would you recommend and how quickly should I be in the shoes and moving?

"I run because it always takes me where I want to go" -Dean Karnazes

Anton's picture
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Anton posted 3 years ago.

I've tried both ways and find the rubber band method works well for me. But everyone is different and what works for you...yada,yada,yada.
I have seen a number of pros use them too...so if you are comfortable with it...super!

"If e wishes to sweem in dangerous waters, oo are we to deny im?
-Chef Skinner
http://antonspath.blogspot.com

Triguy98's picture
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Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.

rubberbands. I just about knocked over a guy who was waddling through T1 with his bike shoes on. The shoes on the bike is much faster.

Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.

Tri Hard's picture
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Tri Hard posted 3 years ago.

rubberbands!!! it's faster, and chics did it!!

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chrisrunzs26 posted 3 years ago.

This is going to be a dumb question...but how do you rubber band your shoes on your pedals? I have speed-play pedals and last year did the shoe on pedal thing and they fell down and got in the way so I went back to putting them on and "trying" to walk to mount line...what a pain. Could someone explain to me how to do this rubber band thing??
Thanks so much.
Chris in OH

Triguy98's picture
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Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.

Tri shoes have the little pull loop on the heel. rubber band loops through itself and the pull strap, than ties around either the chain stay or the crank arm, depending on the side.

Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.

beads1985's picture
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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.

I put on my socks and then bike shoes in T1.
I am pretty quick and I have never fallen off my bike out of transition. I might lose a little time but I rather be comfortable.
I like having socks on.
I don't like running out of the transition area stepping on all kinds of junk(gravel, sticks, glass etc).
I find if you go barefoot stuff can stick to your feet, and I can't stand having a little rock in my shoe.

'Nothing to it, but to do it!'

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TBRAVO posted 3 years ago.

For me personally it is safer and quicker to waddle thru T1 with my bike shoes on than trying to get my feet into my bike shoes that are already clipped onto my bike. Of course I am not the most coordinated person in the world, so if I practiced the rubber-band thing more it might work. Have you ever stepped on an empty goo-gel wrapper with your bare feet? That’s pretty gross, not to mention comical trying to do the funky-chicken dance to get it off. :eek:
- T

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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.

TBRAVO wrote:
For me personally it is safer and quicker to waddle thru T1 with my bike shoes on than trying to get my feet into my bike shoes that are already clipped onto my bike. Of course I am not the most coordinated person in the world, so if I practiced the rubber-band thing more it might work. Have you ever stepped on an empty goo-gel wrapper with your bare feet? That’s pretty gross, not to mention comical trying to do the funky-chicken dance to get it off. :eek:
- T

Any other waddlers out there?? :D

'Nothing to it, but to do it!'

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RV posted 3 years ago.

beads1985 wrote:
Any other waddlers out there?? :D

I'm one of those, for now. I will slip out of my shoes and leave them attached for the dismount.
However, my new shoes are tri-shoes so I think I will give it a try. See how it goes in practice. Would probably only use it for short course races. Not for the HIM or IM.

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deepbluex posted 3 years ago.

I am able to actually "run" ok in my mountain bike shoes (Answer brand Palisades). The shoes look just like road shoes - 2 velcro straps. They just have a recessed cleat so I'm not walking on the cleats (I use SPD clipless pedals) and functional walking soles. The sole is stiff so it's not like you can run very fast but at least you feel sure-footed trotting from transition to mount.

Anton's picture
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Anton posted 3 years ago.

Oh I waddle all the time...I've used rubber bands a number of times but only in du's...I still think ya should give it a shot. That way you know for yourself.

"If e wishes to sweem in dangerous waters, oo are we to deny im?
-Chef Skinner
http://antonspath.blogspot.com

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brittda posted 3 years ago.

beads1985 wrote:
I put on my socks and then bike shoes in T1.
I am pretty quick and I have never fallen off my bike out of transition. I might lose a little time but I rather be comfortable.
I like having socks on.
I don't like running out of the transition area stepping on all kinds of junk(gravel, sticks, glass etc).
I find if you go barefoot stuff can stick to your feet, and I can't stand having a little rock in my shoe.

Ditto, PLUS I really dont want to cut my foot on a rock, missed piece of glass etc.

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Tikal Dog posted 3 years ago.

beads1985 wrote:
Any other waddlers out there?? :D

Me too!!!! I would like to try the rubber thing someday but for now.... I donpt want to worry about another thing during a race. :rolleyes:

Hyperactive Trifueler!!!! (I refuse to let the status go :p)

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sldotter posted 3 years ago.

I use rubber bands and I don't have tri shoes. I take and pull the rubber band behind the frame right next to the pedal when it is horizontal and loop both ends of the rubber band over the end of the shoe. On the other pedal I loop the rubberband to the pedal crank itself. That may be confusing without a pic but the rubberbands work great.

Trevor Douglas YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!

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vanjames posted 3 years ago.

Your primary distance says Ironman. Given this I would suggets that your primary concern wil be getting on the bike with dry, clean feet ( at least untiil you have a few IMs under your belt-maybe you do). You have to change in the transition tent regardless of whter you are putting anything on ( you'll need to dump your wetsuit). IMHO put the shoes on and take 30secs to dry your feet and put on clean socks. You won't regret 30s. You will if you cut your foot to save 30s.

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driggins posted 1 year ago.

i know this is an old thread but just now trying the rubber band deal in an effort to streamline and improve my transitions. i found this link with a picture of how to rubber band the shoes - in this diagram attaching the rubber band to the water bottle rack and rear quick release and shoes

http://www.sportvelo.com/tips/triathlon_transition.htm

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Leroy Bonkers posted 1 year ago.

Good pics. Thanks.

For what it's worth, I used the rubberband/flying mount method for 2 seasons and abandoned it last season in favor of the waddle. The number one reason - I got passed by a lot of people while I fiddled around trying to get my feet into the shoes!

But I still do the shoeless dismount on short races.

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jsk85 posted 1 year ago.

I'm a waddler, but I don't have a hard time moving at a solid trot while in my cycling shoes, so it doesn't really lose me much time wise

Iron Dan's picture
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Iron Dan posted 1 year ago.

Same here, also I don't want to be one of the people that tries the flying mount at a race and ends up on my bike with my bike cart wheeling down the road. I have seen it a few times as a spectator and I couldn't stand to have my pride hurt that much.

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theShiba posted 1 year ago.

"Don't forget to reach down and break the rubber bands if they don't break on their own".

+1? That's probably my favorite part of the article.

Triguy98's picture
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Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.

theShiba wrote:

+1? That's probably my favorite part of the article.

Must use some crazy thick rubber bands for them to not break.
That would be somethign funny to see, that's for sure!

Really it comes down that what kind of races you do and what kind of racer you want to be. IMers dont need to worry about it, as I think you arent allowed to leave the shoes on the bike anyway, unless you're pro. Sprint and Oly racers- if you're jsut there for a good time and to finish, dont sweat it. You want to be serious and competitive? Better learn to rubber band it. All it takes is a little bit of practice. If you're not willing to spend the time practicing the little details, you arent likely the kind of person that needs to be worrying about flying mounts.

Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.

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catwood posted 1 year ago.

I leave my shoes on the bike. I don't rubberband because my shoes are small enough that they don't drag on the ground... I do sprints and olys only and transitions are the best part of my race 100% of the time. If you are going to use this method PLEASE practice a lot. I've lost count of the number of times someone has nearly swerved into me trying to mount their bike or get their shoes on. Make sure you can do those while keeping your line.

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tsilcyc posted 1 year ago.

I will follow in the footsteps of Emilio DeSoto who put his shoes on rather than attach them to the bike. He would actually put his shoes on "while" putting his helmet on his head. You just need to make sure your shoes are open so you can slide them in. Apparently, he was very fast at transition.

I think whichever method you choose, you need to practice it or else you're just giving away time. Think about it, practicing transition does not fatigue the body and you can shave minutes. That's cheaper than race wheels. :)

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csaf31 posted 1 year ago.

I haven't tried the rubber band method but I raced my last two olys with shoes already clipped into the bike and made up a ton of time. I skipped the socks too since putting socks on over wet feet is not the easiest achievement. Between the shoes in and no socks, along with getting out of my shoes while coming into T2, I shaved over 3 mins on my transitions. Easy minutes. Just practice getting into your shoes while they are clipped in. Practice 5 times after every bike ride and you will get the hang of it quickly. You may want to practice on grass first if you are worried about falling.

Some bike shoes, that are not tri bike shoes, are a bit tough to slip into because the tongue in the shoe moves and there are more velcro straps. I actually cut the tongue out of my shoes to make it easier.

Also if you are going to leave the shoes clipped in, remember to leave the velcro strap attached loosely so you can slide in your foot then adjust the tightness on the strap as you get in

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Tri Fanatic posted 1 year ago.

I am a rubber bander! I also start taking my shoes off about a half mile before I get back to the transition area so right when I cross the line I jump off and get plenty of "oooooooo" and "ahhhhh" sounds as I fly into T2.

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Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.

Tri Fanatic wrote:
I jump off and get plenty of "oooooooo" and "ahhhhh" sounds as I fly into T2.

I can one up ya, there :D Last year, come up to the dismount line, a guy lost his shoes, slammed on his brakes and turned to pick it up. I was already standing on one pedal, and had to do a hard brake and weave around him. Clean dismount right on the line. I got applause and cheers for that!

Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.