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You sound pretty sorted then. I've been lucky with tubs and 3 out of the 4 punctures i had i was able to fix with a can of pit stop but I'd imagine that a bit fiddly and messy to use with a crack pipe adapter but have seen zefal and at least one other with a hose attachment which could work with a disc as long as the valve hole isn't tiny. Your skinsuit will indeed far better than a regular Jersey/bib combo and your air attack better than a regular helmet if your not going all in. For hydration I've got a torhans on one tri bike and a profile aero on the other both are good and i set my bottles up and cut the straws to a length so if my bottom lip is hovering just above the straw my head is in its proper aero position with out having to think about it. The Torhans has a much softer straw which is much gentler on my mouth if i hit a bump. 4 bottles should be fine and any bottle/bottles behind the saddle are best used for refilling the BTA bottle via the flap on the top rather than regularly and inconveniently drinking from. I've got a elite pave cage out back with the ratchet dial to lock it down otherwise they can rattle out or just fly out if you hit a pothole. As your doing just the bike leg it won't be impractical if you want to wear calf guards/overshoes or aero gloves for some extra cheap aero gains as well.
Retro_Bastard-
Some awesome tips and tricks here, thanks a lot! Overshoes and gloves noted.
I've got a elite pave cage out back with the ratchet dial
This is very clever. Will look into the options you mentioned.
Not going all in. For now. -
4 bottles?!
There are aid stations every 15k or so in most long distance races, I’ve never bought into the idea of carrying 3 spare bottles… extra drag and 2kg weight? No thanks!
kiskubai
Sainsburys_Ed
Regarding the 8/9/10sp vs 11sp thing, If theres a really good deal on a 10sp one, I would take it and just use one of my 11sp cassettes on it that has been turned on a lathe to fit on a 10sp freehub.
With this event in particular, I should be alright. It will be the Challenge St Polten race in Austria. Looking at the videos overwhelming majority (...that made it into the video) went with deep front, disc rear.
Not gonna lie, I also just think it looks cool and it goes whooosh whoosh. :) The plan is to bring my 50mm wheelset + disc and decide on the day. I'd do some training rides on the disc to get used to it of course.
The first 20-30km is a false flat downhill (-0.5%), closed course on a motorway. Should be fun. Then some hilly parts, but overall only 3 proper climbs in it.
About the clincher/tubular thing. I thought I'd carry a tufo extreme sealant with me and a co2 pump. Im not sure I could put the sealant in on a disc wheel without peeling off the tyre thought? Or I guess I'd need an L shaped valve adaptor anyway if Im gonna pump it, depending on the disc. Any first hand experience input on this would be appreciated!
Also I havent got a single puncture in the last 3 years that wasnt on the commuter (passing through glass shards on the reg, thx shoreditch crowd), or my own doing (pinching the tube on a wheel).
Another topic: Hydration? Ive got normal bottle mounts on the frame, but considering either one that goes between the TT extensions, or on the saddle behind. I havent heard great things on the behind-the-saddle solution from triathlete friends (dropping bottles, have to sit up to take out etc).
Edit: As for skinsuit and helmet, Ive got a tight fitting LFGSS Milltag roadsuit with short sleeves (still almost until elbows), and a Giro Air attack helmet. As far as Im aware this is already a lot better than just a regular bib+jersey and a normal helmet, not looking to upgrade these just now.