shoes clipped in prior to getting on bike - Triathlon Week

10-01-2004, 02:32 PM

Can anyone tell me how the ITU folks hold thier shoes level and how you get
them on while rolling. i know it slows you done but i also recognize that
rolling slow is faster than standing still putting them on. thanks for any
tips!!

10-01-2004, 04:29 PM

Rack your bike with the pedals at 9 o'clock 3 o'clock such that when you
pick it up you do no not cause the back wheel to revolve backwards. If you
do the pedals will turn. It does not really matter whether you hook the
saddle over the racking stand or the brake levers. This is personal
preference. What you must not do is wheel the bike backwards when you
de-rack. After that you can either jump on the saddle and place both feet on
top of both bike shoes or place one foot on the inboard shoe and step over
the bike and placing that foot on top of the opposite shoe. After that you
pedal up to speed and then get your feet one at a time into your shoes. Do
not panic and if it is an up hill start be prepared to climb with your feet
on top of your shoes. It helps if your shoes suit this type of start. I my
case I put felt strips under the front Velcro straps to prevent them
fastening when I ride with my foot on top of the shoes. This makes shoe
entry easier without causing any tightness problems. I do not come across
many tri courses when I need the maximum possible shoe tightness for
climbing. In the end it comes down to practice. Transition is after all the
fourth discipline.

"John" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:h9j7d.830$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].atl.earthlin k.net...
> Can anyone tell me how the ITU folks hold thier shoes level and how you
get
> them on while rolling. i know it slows you done but i also recognize that
> rolling slow is faster than standing still putting them on. thanks for any
> tips!!
>
>

10-01-2004, 08:45 PM

John said:

> Can anyone tell me how the ITU folks hold thier shoes level and how you get
> them on while rolling. i know it slows you done but i also recognize that
> rolling slow is faster than standing still putting them on.

This is a fallacy. If it takes you (and I'll exaggerate to make the point) a
*kilometre* of "rolling slow" to get your shoes on and it takes me 10 secs.
in transition to put mine on, after which I cycle at full speed, who
(assuming we normally cycle at the same speed) will be ahead at the end of
the first kilometre?

I've done it both ways (last season I had them clipped to the pedals) and,
on some occasions when I've put them on in transition, I have then cycled
past people doing up their shoes on the bike.

I'm not trying to say which way is faster, just that it doesn't follow that
doing them up on the bike is faster because you're moving.

HTH,
Steve = : ^ )

10-04-2004, 09:54 PM

The laws of natural selection say that if all the pros do this (which they
do), then it must have proven to be the fastest. I don't know. Perhaps this
developed as a stunt by some pro to get out of T1 ahead of the bunch, and
everyone followed so as not to be left behind. Noone likes playing catchup.
I don't employ this method, maybe because I do too many long distance races,
where such silly efforts amount to little result; however, if I were to
enter a sprint or be serious about competing for top honors at an olympic I
might consider practicing this technique.

And I think the problem with Steve's exaggerated scenario lies in the
exaggeration. Having watched pros execute this technique several times (and
trying it myslef on rides for fun), the more appropriate comparison would be
15 seconds rolling @ 10mph vs 10 seconds sitting still in transition (if
you're good). BTW, 15 seconds rolling at 10 mph is equivalent to about 67
meters (much less than 1 km).

Consequently, a common tip for executing this transition is to use a rubber
band to hold the cranks at 9 and 3 until you mount. Once you start to pedal
the rubber band simply breaks off.

-larry

"Steve B." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au.. .
> John said:
>
> > Can anyone tell me how the ITU folks hold thier shoes level and how you
get
> > them on while rolling. i know it slows you done but i also recognize
that
> > rolling slow is faster than standing still putting them on.
>
> This is a fallacy. If it takes you (and I'll exaggerate to make the point)
a
> *kilometre* of "rolling slow" to get your shoes on and it takes me 10
secs.
> in transition to put mine on, after which I cycle at full speed, who
> (assuming we normally cycle at the same speed) will be ahead at the end of
> the first kilometre?
>
> I've done it both ways (last season I had them clipped to the pedals) and,
> on some occasions when I've put them on in transition, I have then cycled
> past people doing up their shoes on the bike.
>
> I'm not trying to say which way is faster, just that it doesn't follow
that
> doing them up on the bike is faster because you're moving.
>
> HTH,
> Steve = : ^ )
>
>

10-05-2004, 08:40 AM

the rubber band trick sounds good but will i get a penalty for ditching the
bands? and...that doesn't hold the shoes level does it?

Zylo · 10-05-2004, 11:14 AM

Um, you say all the pro's do it?

No, not by a long shot. Try watching an ITU triathlon some time....

You save zero time putting on your shoes while on the bike. Watch the pro's. They all fumble around like it's their first time. Wobbling bikes just coasting around...... If it takes you more than 4 seconds, literally, to put your shoes on in transition. You're a klutz.

If you want to put your shoes on while sitting on your bike, I'd be glad to race against you. I'll be the one sprinting past you on the bike while you're ****ing around with your shoes.....

10-05-2004, 12:04 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au>,
Zylo <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au> wrote:

>
> Um, you say all the pro's do it?
>
> No, not by a long shot. Try watching an ITU triathlon some time....
>
>
> You save zero time putting on your shoes while on the bike. Watch the
> pro's. They all fumble around like it's their first time. Wobbling bikes
> just coasting around...... If it takes you more than 4 seconds,
> literally, to put your shoes on in transition. You're a klutz.
>
> If you want to put your shoes on while sitting on your bike, I'd be
> glad to race against you. I'll be the one sprinting past you on the
> bike while you're ****ing around with your shoes.....
>

Well, it depends. I've seen some races with *long* runs through
transition to the mounting line. You're going to be a lot slower running
with bike shoes than without, so that could be a factor.

But you're right: the correct measure isn't what your transition time
is, it's your transition time plus, say, the first 200 m (assuming you
can get your shoes on in 200m).

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

10-05-2004, 07:05 PM

It is something that should be practiced. Find a grassy area so that if you
fall, you are less likely to get hurt.
"Larry Chevres" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:41621baf$1_1@127.0.0.1...
> The laws of natural selection say that if all the pros do this (which they
> do), then it must have proven to be the fastest. I don't know. Perhaps
this
> developed as a stunt by some pro to get out of T1 ahead of the bunch, and
> everyone followed so as not to be left behind. Noone likes playing
catchup.
> I don't employ this method, maybe because I do too many long distance
races,
> where such silly efforts amount to little result; however, if I were to
> enter a sprint or be serious about competing for top honors at an olympic
I
> might consider practicing this technique.
>
> And I think the problem with Steve's exaggerated scenario lies in the
> exaggeration. Having watched pros execute this technique several times
(and
> trying it myslef on rides for fun), the more appropriate comparison would
be
> 15 seconds rolling @ 10mph vs 10 seconds sitting still in transition (if
> you're good). BTW, 15 seconds rolling at 10 mph is equivalent to about 67
> meters (much less than 1 km).
>
> Consequently, a common tip for executing this transition is to use a
rubber
> band to hold the cranks at 9 and 3 until you mount. Once you start to
pedal
> the rubber band simply breaks off.
>
> -larry
>
> "Steve B." <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au.. .
> > John said:
> >
> > > Can anyone tell me how the ITU folks hold thier shoes level and how
you
> get
> > > them on while rolling. i know it slows you done but i also recognize
> that
> > > rolling slow is faster than standing still putting them on.
> >
> > This is a fallacy. If it takes you (and I'll exaggerate to make the
point)
> a
> > *kilometre* of "rolling slow" to get your shoes on and it takes me 10
> secs.
> > in transition to put mine on, after which I cycle at full speed, who
> > (assuming we normally cycle at the same speed) will be ahead at the end
of
> > the first kilometre?
> >
> > I've done it both ways (last season I had them clipped to the pedals)
and,
> > on some occasions when I've put them on in transition, I have then
cycled
> > past people doing up their shoes on the bike.
> >
> > I'm not trying to say which way is faster, just that it doesn't follow
> that
> > doing them up on the bike is faster because you're moving.
> >
> > HTH,
> > Steve = : ^ )
> >
> >
>
>

10-05-2004, 11:56 PM

For those who get it, OLN has recently been showing the Honolulu ITU tri
from earlier this summer where Hunter Kemper garnered his Olympic spot.
Relevant to this thread, it shows Hunter actually had a problem with this
specific portion of the race. It seems in the rush to get to the mounting
zone, one of his shoes got knocked off the pedal. He had to run back to
retrieve it, put it on and then mount. I guess, this is a potential added
risk.

I don't know about the comment concerning the pros. I picked up this
technique and the rubber band specifically from watching ITU races, like ITU
Honolulu. Funny, many also do it in Kona, though I don't think that has
ever affected the race outcome. I guess the course could dictate the usage
as well. If there's a downhill right out of T1, it works great.

As for the legality of the rubber band, I can't imagine this to be an issue,
and, as I said, I got that tip from a pro.

Again, while I said I don't use this technique, I've thought of doing it for
another reason. Sometimes I get a little off balance after the mad rush from
swim exit into T1 and having to stand on one leg while putting on the shoe.
Maybe that's just me though. Happy trails - larry

"Harold Buck" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].giganews.com...
> In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au>,
> Zylo <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].au> wrote:
>
> >
> > Um, you say all the pro's do it?
> >
> > No, not by a long shot. Try watching an ITU triathlon some time....
> >
> >
> > You save zero time putting on your shoes while on the bike. Watch the
> > pro's. They all fumble around like it's their first time. Wobbling bikes
> > just coasting around...... If it takes you more than 4 seconds,
> > literally, to put your shoes on in transition. You're a klutz.
> >
> > If you want to put your shoes on while sitting on your bike, I'd be
> > glad to race against you. I'll be the one sprinting past you on the
> > bike while you're ****ing around with your shoes.....
> >
>
>
> Well, it depends. I've seen some races with *long* runs through
> transition to the mounting line. You're going to be a lot slower running
> with bike shoes than without, so that could be a factor.
>
> But you're right: the correct measure isn't what your transition time
> is, it's your transition time plus, say, the first 200 m (assuming you
> can get your shoes on in 200m).
>
> --Harold Buck
>
>
> "I used to rock and roll all night,
> and party every day.
> Then it was every other day. . . ."
> -Homer J. Simpson
>

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10-06-2004, 07:27 AM

I used to clip the shoes in first, but now I don't. My problem in doing
this is not so much in getting shoes to stay at 9 and 3 o'clock positions,
but in that when I ride those first seconds with my feet on my shoes, I
smush the shoes down so that it's very difficult to get my feet in. Then it
takes extra long to get feet in.
Anyone have suggestions as to this aspect? Or is it just practice?
Thks.
"John" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:h9j7d.830$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].atl.earthlin k.net...
> Can anyone tell me how the ITU folks hold thier shoes level and how you
get
> them on while rolling. i know it slows you done but i also recognize that
> rolling slow is faster than standing still putting them on. thanks for any
> tips!!
>
>

10-06-2004, 08:53 AM

IMO you do not need any artificial aids. Even if your cranks turn the
chances are they will not be far off horizontal when you come to get on your
bike. As your shoes hang heel down any contact they make with the ground
will rotate the cranks towards the
horizontal. Do not worry about your shoes not being level simply approach
each shoe from behind and toe first. As soon as your toes make contact with
the front of the shoe the heel will flip up into place naturally. If you
believe that leaving your shoes on your bike will save you time prove it to
yourself by practising. Depending on the transition area and start of the
bike course it can be safer not to leave you shoes on the bike. In my
experience it has nearly always been quicker to leave the shoes on the bike
on the
bike to run transition. Again getting out of your shoes takes practice!
There's no free lunch!!

"John" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:dny8d.4377$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].atl.earthl ink.net...
> the rubber band trick sounds good but will i get a penalty for ditching
the
> bands? and...that doesn't hold the shoes level does it?
>
>

10-06-2004, 10:07 PM

"Graham Steer" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].uk> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].uk.clara.net.. .
....
> bike course it can be safer not to leave you shoes on the
> bike. In my
> experience it has nearly always been quicker to leave the
> shoes on the bike
> on the
> bike to run transition. Again getting out of your shoes
> takes practice!
> There's no free lunch!!
>

This one is a no-brainer. Practice it three times and
you'll be a convert. Keeping the shoes on while coming into
T2 WILL save you time. Start slipping out of the shoes
50-200 meters before the dismount. Practice going from 8mph
on the bike to a bare-foot sprint. If you're sockless -
which you should be for Olympic and sprint races - the only
thing you have to put on is shoes and race belt (the race
belt can be put on while running). If it takes you more the
15 Seconds from the time your bike hits the rack then you're
in a trance...snap out of it!

-CF

10-06-2004, 10:14 PM

"Sam" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:HxH8d.3778$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].pas.earthl ink.net...
> It is something that should be practiced. Find a grassy
> area so that if you
> fall, you are less likely to get hurt.

Have you actually done this? I've never been too found of
riding my road bike on grass - maybe a putting green - but
then you'd have a lot of fat, angry, white guys with 9-irons
chasing after you....

Parking lot work fine. Just make sure you've got space to
roll. The slower you go the less steady you'll be. My
shoes have tabs on both top and the heal. I was surprised
to find that the top tabs help more than the heal tabs.
Regardless I have not yet (recently) attempted this in a
race.

My point is this. After the swim and wrestling with my
wetsuit, I don't have enough brain power to coordinate my
shoes on the bike. It's only faster if it's faster for
you....

-CF

10-06-2004, 10:17 PM

"sku" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>I used to clip the shoes in first, but now I don't. My
>problem in doing
> this is not so much in getting shoes to stay at 9 and 3
> o'clock positions,
> but in that when I ride those first seconds with my feet
> on my shoes, I
> smush the shoes down so that it's very difficult to get my
> feet in. Then it
> takes extra long to get feet in.
> Anyone have suggestions as to this aspect? Or is it just
> practice?
> Thks.

This has been my finding as well.... I could do this with
my older shoes because they were very pliable and had a nice
configuration - old style TT shoes (which I wish they still
made). My new ones are similar in that I only have a single
Velcro strap to contend with, but the configuration is not
nearly convenient.

-CF

10-08-2004, 10:01 AM

Thanks for all the discussion.

I'm still wondering how to tmake the rubberbans actually work. They should
hold the shoes in the level position right?