Triathlon on single-speed

Am considering the Thames turbo for August... just I gave up road running a long time ago, apart from that... would love to do one...

Whats the deal with ss or geared.... which is gonna be faster ?? ( at end of day )

Thanks to everyone who posted on the Triathlon fixed thread. I now know that fixed gear set ups are not allowed by the BTA.

So, I thought I'd try my next triathlon cycling single-speed (Thames Turbo, 25 August, www.thamesturbo.co.uk).

I've gone for a 18T freewheel, which will give me a gearing of 48:18.

Questions: is it easy to fit the freewheel to my flip-flop hub and, if yes, how is it done?

sorry to be blunt, but you will get caned on the bike.. the bike leg is in effect a time trial, go with gears.. and save some energy for the run..

sorry to be blunt, but you will get caned on the bike.. the bike leg is in effect a time trial, go with gears.. and save some energy for the run..

what about if im first gal out of the pool ? Beneficial ?

is the swim leg usually 400m in a pool? or mass start in a lake?
how many competing?

pool usually means the fastest swimmers go last.. 16x25m laps
which means you are not the first out..

getting on the bike once outside the transition area.. take time and
a bit of preparation.. don't rush.. and practise it a few times.

we used to clip our shoes onto the pedals, and jump on strapping in as
we got going..

^that's a BMX freewheel - it won't fit on your hub, so you'll have to go 48t anyway.

Larger cogs/chainrings roll better - that's the theory anyway. You don't need to replace the crankset, just the chainring. Just let BC fit it if you're unsure of wrenching protocol.

fair-e-muff, think that's what the chaps at Brixton said. ta.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Dural-Force-48-Tooth-Chainring-130mm-BCD_W0QQitemZ110274272953QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item110274272953&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

It's a very flat 20K, loops around Dorney lake with lots of straights.

Do I have to man-up and replace the chainwheel (and crankset?) with something teethier 46/48?

You need to man-up all the way to 52t/53t chainring if you're going to be vaguely competitive around Dorney. There are 10 mile TTs at Maidenhead (not as flat as Dorney, but flat enough) every week which would allow you to try different gearing options. I've got a bunch of 130pcd rings from 51 to 56 teeth if you're over this way and want to experiment.

16:49 was pretty sweet, fortunately not too much wind, overtook more than I was overtaken by, finished in 1:17 something, not sure of split as chip fell off in lake.
Saw three more SS-ers/fixed, organisers were suprisingly confused by the flip-flop and were thorough at checking the legality of it. Good fun.

good job JJ.
well jealous here in my library.
i was tempted, but exams are more important.

always next time, kept my eye out for you. Ride was deffo the funnest part, and my strength.

Well done, Jim!
I just did a sprint in 1:17:30 - I used a 1980s steel geared bike for the cycle leg and managed an aerage speed of 21mph, which was really good for me. Mainly stayed in my 73.3in gear, so fixed would have been good for me - shame it is not allowed for that race.

I'd love to do the Olympic distance now, but my swimming is so lame, I'll have to put some serious work int it to get through 1500m in open water.