Budget improvements TT Bike for IMW
Discussion
I have Ironman Wales coming up in September, Canyon Speedman CF7 TT bike is likely to be sold after it (Can't justify the expense of it for the amount of times I'll ride for pleasure post IMW)
I need a few add ons such as seat mounted bottle cage to carry 1 or 2 bottles. (Have one on the frame and a hydration system on the cockpit).
Also need some sort of quick essential repair kit that the experts on here suggest I should carry for the day.
Also welcome any other advice on items to carry on the day that i may not have thought of.
I need a few add ons such as seat mounted bottle cage to carry 1 or 2 bottles. (Have one on the frame and a hydration system on the cockpit).
Also need some sort of quick essential repair kit that the experts on here suggest I should carry for the day.
Also welcome any other advice on items to carry on the day that i may not have thought of.
A lot depends on if you're racing for a pb or AG qualifying spot, or just looking to complete. On the basis that you would risk carrying less on the bike to aid on the hills, and hopefully you don't need what you don't have, if trying to go as fast as possible. Risk vs reward.
I'm doing IM Copenhagen in three weeks and have the following:
Topeak Omni Backup Elite - can mount one or two cages. I would rate this as only "OK" as it's light, but as a result two 750ml bottles do cause the bolts to loosen over time. Definitely use threadlock, check the torque before a race and for belt and braces, I've used black electrical tape to wrap over the bolts so they don't fall out. Can you guess what happened to me at a half iron test event...?
Lezyne Flow Bottle Cage x 2 - mounted to the Topeak Omni. In contrast, I think you could let off a nuclear bomb and these would still hold on to your bottle! Grippy, light, cheap. Lovely. I have used some offcuts of elasticated laces to create a couple of loops. Tied to each cage, they hook over the valve of my bottles and add extra security.
Rockbros 1.6L bento, with two zipped sections side by side. Since the pic below I've added some tape to the sides as my thighs do touch the bag and the tape smooths this out. I'm determined to finish, so I have one innertube, 2x Park Tools tyre levers, a quick link, a chain tool, a zip tie, a spare gear cable, a multitool, arm warmers/gilet/rain cape depending on the race forecast, cash, credit card, driving license, my phone and a Flextail Tiny Bike Pump PRO-120 PSI electric pump, which is usb-c, good for three 25mm tyres to 80psi and has an led pressure gauge and a flexible adaptor to get at my rear valve, which is hidden behind....
Disc wheel covers - £50 on ebay and some fiddling and I have a removable disc wheel without spending a load of cash, or needing to take an extra wheel in the bike box.
https://ebay.io/m/xup4wY and loads of colour options.
I also have a Topeak Fastfuel bento box, which I put actual food in. I struggled to find a tool roll or bag which would fit everything I needed, and sit neatly under the saddle, hence two bento boxes.
I do have tubeless tyres, but even so, I will also put a spare tube and a small pump or CO2 inflator in my T1 bag, just in case I get to my bike and find it has a flat tyre. That way I can fix it and still set off with a spare tube onboard.
All this is well and good but making sure you can sustain a good aero position as much as possible around Tenby is critical. Apologies if this is extremely obvious, but I have seen folk sitting up on TT bikes for long periods, even at the 100k mark. IMW obviously breaks things up a bit with the climbs, which helps, but even so, do your long rides on the TT bike. Comfort in the aero position is the cheapest, most effective upgrade out there.
In terms of the comprehensive bike maintenance suitcase I have, if I were to start cutting it down, I place highest priority on things which escape me stopping dead. A quick link weighs nothing, but you're going nowhere with a broken chain. A gear cable is a luxury item.
Here's the workhorse, minus the disc.
I'm doing IM Copenhagen in three weeks and have the following:
Topeak Omni Backup Elite - can mount one or two cages. I would rate this as only "OK" as it's light, but as a result two 750ml bottles do cause the bolts to loosen over time. Definitely use threadlock, check the torque before a race and for belt and braces, I've used black electrical tape to wrap over the bolts so they don't fall out. Can you guess what happened to me at a half iron test event...?
Lezyne Flow Bottle Cage x 2 - mounted to the Topeak Omni. In contrast, I think you could let off a nuclear bomb and these would still hold on to your bottle! Grippy, light, cheap. Lovely. I have used some offcuts of elasticated laces to create a couple of loops. Tied to each cage, they hook over the valve of my bottles and add extra security.
Rockbros 1.6L bento, with two zipped sections side by side. Since the pic below I've added some tape to the sides as my thighs do touch the bag and the tape smooths this out. I'm determined to finish, so I have one innertube, 2x Park Tools tyre levers, a quick link, a chain tool, a zip tie, a spare gear cable, a multitool, arm warmers/gilet/rain cape depending on the race forecast, cash, credit card, driving license, my phone and a Flextail Tiny Bike Pump PRO-120 PSI electric pump, which is usb-c, good for three 25mm tyres to 80psi and has an led pressure gauge and a flexible adaptor to get at my rear valve, which is hidden behind....
Disc wheel covers - £50 on ebay and some fiddling and I have a removable disc wheel without spending a load of cash, or needing to take an extra wheel in the bike box.
https://ebay.io/m/xup4wY and loads of colour options.
I also have a Topeak Fastfuel bento box, which I put actual food in. I struggled to find a tool roll or bag which would fit everything I needed, and sit neatly under the saddle, hence two bento boxes.
I do have tubeless tyres, but even so, I will also put a spare tube and a small pump or CO2 inflator in my T1 bag, just in case I get to my bike and find it has a flat tyre. That way I can fix it and still set off with a spare tube onboard.
All this is well and good but making sure you can sustain a good aero position as much as possible around Tenby is critical. Apologies if this is extremely obvious, but I have seen folk sitting up on TT bikes for long periods, even at the 100k mark. IMW obviously breaks things up a bit with the climbs, which helps, but even so, do your long rides on the TT bike. Comfort in the aero position is the cheapest, most effective upgrade out there.
In terms of the comprehensive bike maintenance suitcase I have, if I were to start cutting it down, I place highest priority on things which escape me stopping dead. A quick link weighs nothing, but you're going nowhere with a broken chain. A gear cable is a luxury item.
Here's the workhorse, minus the disc.
thekingisdead said:
Smitters - nice setup!
I ve spectated at IM Copenhagen. Friendly advice - be prepared for wind with your disc wheel.
Similar to Wales, I don t think it s a rolling course
Thank you for the tip. I hope to be OK, as my TT practice route was an out and back repeat with a cross head, or cross tailwind and lots of farm gates. With open wheels, I found the front getting swept a bit, but with the disc it actually got better. The main sideways push moved rearwards and my bodyweight kept it more in control. I ve spectated at IM Copenhagen. Friendly advice - be prepared for wind with your disc wheel.
Similar to Wales, I don t think it s a rolling course
The disc is quickly removed too, so if the wind is strong I can have it off the bike inside five minutes, even in T1 on the day if necessary.
The 2026 course has 1100m of elevation over 180k, so I think gently rolling rather than hilly. But as I live somewhere properly hilly, I'm happy going up and down on a TT bike!
I don't want to hijack this thread, but if you've any tips for spectators please do drop them into the triathlon thread. My wife and kids are coming too and I'd love them to enjoy it as much as possible.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Smitters said:
thekingisdead said:
Smitters - nice setup!
I ve spectated at IM Copenhagen. Friendly advice - be prepared for wind with your disc wheel.
Similar to Wales, I don t think it s a rolling course
Thank you for the tip. I hope to be OK, as my TT practice route was an out and back repeat with a cross head, or cross tailwind and lots of farm gates. With open wheels, I found the front getting swept a bit, but with the disc it actually got better. The main sideways push moved rearwards and my bodyweight kept it more in control. I ve spectated at IM Copenhagen. Friendly advice - be prepared for wind with your disc wheel.
Similar to Wales, I don t think it s a rolling course
The disc is quickly removed too, so if the wind is strong I can have it off the bike inside five minutes, even in T1 on the day if necessary.
The 2026 course has 1100m of elevation over 180k, so I think gently rolling rather than hilly. But as I live somewhere properly hilly, I'm happy going up and down on a TT bike!
I don't want to hijack this thread, but if you've any tips for spectators please do drop them into the triathlon thread. My wife and kids are coming too and I'd love them to enjoy it as much as possible.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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