Should I ditch the seat pack on race day?
2346
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1245 days
Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.
I dont carry one for olys or sprints. By the time you change the tire, race is over. Hims and longer, you've gotta. MTB races, i stuff what i need in my camelback, dont bother with a seatpack.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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TheCahill posted 2 years ago.
you can always throw a multi in your jersy pocketts (same with a tube if youwant
3337
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1326 days
RV posted 2 years ago.
I carry one for all distances. I'm not going to DNF because of a flat or minor repair. Changing the tire may take you out of contention for a medal for short course, but so what. And it is good experience changing a tire in race conditions. Don't want to be like Norman and lose it on the side of the road and end up throwing your bike! :eek:
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
946
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1117 days
PJT posted 2 years ago.
You paid the money, so you may as well get the finisher's medal. Flats happen. I am a firm believer in finishing the race if at all possible, so I use a seat pack. You never know how long it might take a support van to get to you on the course, and who wants to carry their bike for any distance? For a sprint or oly, I carry a patch kit, spare tube, co2 kit, 2 tire levers, and some allen wrenches. I'll probably buy a multi-tool for IM.
Also, practice really does help--I'm on a trainer at least once per week, which means 2 rear tire changes. I've got it under 10 minutes now using a floor pump. Still slow, but fast enough that a flat or three during an ironman won't make me DNF.
To divert off topic slightly -- any opinions on carrying a chain tool/pins in races?
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350
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1334 days
tcrunner07 posted 2 years ago.
RV wrote:
I carry one for all distances. I'm not going to DNF because of a flat or minor repair. Changing the tire may take you out of contention for a medal for short course, but so what. And it is good experience changing a tire in race conditions. Don't want to be like Norman and lose it on the side of the road and end up throwing your bike! :eek:
I'll walk or run the bike in
If you get a flat, and don't have a tube, Suck it up and run it in!!!
192
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Sling posted 2 years ago.
What I use is a bottle cage storage container. I put in a spare tube, co2 and dispenser, and tire lever. Works great.
http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=cage-rocket-storage-bottle&jsenabled=1&osCsid=9c541bd85bf3cfca3eacf87fd8fa5d33
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
3337
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1326 days
RV posted 2 years ago.
tcrunner07 wrote:
I'll walk or run the bike in
Yyyyyyyyy?
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
835
Member
1293 days
glbrum posted 2 years ago.
RV wrote:
I carry one for all distances. I'm not going to DNF because of a flat or minor repair. Changing the tire may take you out of contention for a medal for short course, but so what. And it is good experience changing a tire in race conditions. Don't want to be like Norman and lose it on the side of the road and end up throwing your bike! :eek:
Ditto all the way. I'd rather be last than DNF
835
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1293 days
glbrum posted 2 years ago.
PJT wrote:
To divert off topic slightly -- any opinions on carrying a chain tool/pins in races?
No. You should get a tune up or atleast get your bike looked at before big races. I understand the want and need to be prepared, but there is a limit.
835
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1293 days
glbrum posted 2 years ago.
tcrunner07 wrote:
I'll walk or run the bike in
Have fun....what if you're at mile 5 of an OLY? You still want to run it in?......
946
Member
1117 days
PJT posted 2 years ago.
glbrum wrote:
No. You should get a tune up or atleast get your bike looked at before big races. I understand the want and need to be prepared, but there is a limit.
I'm glad to hear that, because chain maintenance (anything beyond cleaning & lubing) is still something I just don't know much about.
806
Member
1304 days
thehitman posted 2 years ago.
I got a flat in a sprint triathlon last year, but was able to change my tire in 5 minutes in so, and still won my age group.
Most racing saddles are hollow underneath, and you can stick a tube, cartridge, air chuck and lever underneath. Strap it in with some rubber bands, velcro, or old tubing.
thehitman
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain
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398
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1114 days
TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
I always leave on my seat pack (I think it’s a roadie thing).
I carry a spare tube, Co2 pump, mini multi-tool, and a Starbucks card.
However, I am in the 190lb range, so 12 extra ounces makes very little difference in my bike split. :D
- T
I have spent the last few years doing some mountain bike races and did my first season of triathlon last year. I never carried a seat pack (during races) and never needed one -- until my last mountain bike race, where my seat came loose 12 miles in. I was lucky that someone eventually had enough pity on me to stop and let me use their multi-tool, but I lost a lot of time. I decided at the time to always carry a seat pack when I raced.
Now that I have a new bike and really want to improve my times I am reconsidering carrying one for my sprint tris. Anyhow, my questions for you:
Do you carry a seat pack for races?
Is there a distance in which you would risk having a flat or mechanical to save the weight ?
Thanks,
Goggles
Googles, Out.
The Battle does not always go to the stronger or faster man,
Because sooner or later the man that wins
Is the man that thinks he can.