The rules of Ironman

[kingalton]

Whats an allen key?

 

We are not allowed to crawl in IM.

rule one, crawling is allowed

 

www.ironmansouthafrica.com

1. No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed.

[Eldron]

Hahaha yes don't worry!

 

So what do you take along for IM?

 

Tubes, pump, chain tool? What if a spoke or two breaks?

 

I reckon:

Multitool (with chain tool)

Tube

Puncture Kit (with gator)

Spare chain link

Bomb

 

Unless you're running a really low spoke count wheel you should be able to wrap the broken spoke(s) around the remaining spokes, open the brake caliper and carry on like DaveM said. You don't normally break spokes on a TT wheel set though - power is applied evenly and lower than road racing where there are sprints/breakaways etc.

 

For TTs I normally use the type of bag that fits behind your stem - they're big enough to carry the above, they're still pretty aero.

 

Good luck!

[Grantc]

Whats an allen key?

 

We are not allowed to crawl in IM.

 

 

Rule 1 from the athletes info guide

1. No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed.

[SwissVan]

rule one, crawling is allowed

 

www.ironmansouthafrica.com

1. No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed.

 

 

What worries me is why we recalled this particular rule....

[SwissVan]

5. There will be a mobile bike service on the course during the event. The bike service is available for the athletes in cases of technical defects, without the athletes having a legal claim to aid by the bike service. The bike service does not supply additional tubes.

 

Originally from: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/emea/ironman/switzerland/athletes/rules-regulations.aspx#ixzz2uz4RPY23

[davem]

Rule 1 from the athletes info guide

1. No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed.

 

Personally I would find it rather difficult to crawl while pushing my bike.

[Garfield2010]

 

I guess we'll never agree but I think offering assistance is the devolution of IM not the evolution.

 

 

Eldron..........

 

The TDF began unsupported. Dirt roads with ZERO support. nowadays they change bikes midway through stages for heavens sake.

 

In the Epic a lot of guys take mechanics along who can practically fix anything overnight when the athlete sleeps. Yes during a stage you are on your own but he can service it every night which does tend to help. Does this make him less of a finisher than you?

 

Ironman has now started giving assistance as we saw in KONA and as we see today in the news update for IMSA.

 

So yes Ironman will evolve along with all things to the good. No one will however force you to make use of the assistance but I definitely will in need so I guess that will make your medal heavier than mine.

[Eldron]

Eldron..........

 

The TDF began unsupported. Dirt roads with ZERO support. nowadays they change bikes midway through stages for heavens sake.

 

In the Epic a lot of guys take mechanics along who can practically fix anything overnight when the athlete sleeps. Yes during a stage you are on your own but he can service it every night which does tend to help. Does this make him less of a finisher than you?

 

Ironman has now started giving assistance as we saw in KONA and as we see today in the news update for IMSA.

 

So yes Ironman will evolve along with all things to the good. No one will however force you to make use of the assistance but I definitely will in need so I guess that will make your medal heavier than mine.

 

I'm not sure why you keep banging on about heavier medals and less of a finisher. It has nothing to do with that.

 

If the IM organisers decide to offer assistance then I'll definitely use it - no reason to disadvantage myself. I'll still take my toolkit along though - will be faster and less stressful than running around trying to find a support vehicle.

 

All that said - if you used up 1% of your IM training time on learning how to fix a bike we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[Garfield2010]

I guess we'll never agree but I think offering assistance is the devolution of IM not the evolution.

 

 

I was referring to this. But lets agree to disagree.

 

My point was never that you should not be able to fix the basics. From the start my main concern was multiple flats, broken chains and spokes etc.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Garfield2010

[davem]

I was referring to this. But lets agree to disagree.

 

My point was never that you should not be able to fix the basics. From the start my main concern was multiple flats, broken chains and spokes etc.

 

Garf, all those marathons are making you grumpy. Go ask your wife for a hug.

Edited March 7, 2014 by davem

[Shebeen]

I think where garf has this wrong is his misconception that mechanicals are bad luck. 95% it is bad preparation, equipment choice or technique.

 

It's like the argus warriors who complain about all the idiot bunch riders and crashes. Wheelsuck at the back of a group if you need, but those of us doing the work upfrount will avoid these 'unlucky' crashed.

 

So andy schelck lost the tour because his chain fell off and contador attacked. Blame shimano all he wants, but the rest of us know that he shfted under load and then freaked out. All his fault, and that's fair.

[JGR]

I think where garf has this wrong is his misconception that mechanicals are bad luck. 95% it is bad preparation, equipment choice or technique.

 

It's like the argus warriors who complain about all the idiot bunch riders and crashes. Wheelsuck at the back of a group if you need, but those of us doing the work upfrount will avoid these 'unlucky' crashed.

 

So andy schelck lost the tour because his chain fell off and contador attacked. Blame shimano all he wants, but the rest of us know that he shfted under load and then freaked out. All his fault, and that's fair.

You have missed his point completely

 

No one brought up Argus or Andy so those examples are mute. IM you don't draft and none of us are racing for the win. His point being that it is not fair on someone who has invested months or training, money, missed family time ect to not be able to finish because of a mechanical problem and not being able to get assistance in the form of lets say a new chain or new wheel (Given the fact it is offered to the pro's). He also further stated it would not mean people don't carry their own spares, within reason.

 

But to entertain your point - equipment is not always determined by what we want but rather the best we can afford (at the time). Are some more susceptible to failure - definitely. Are you in control of the road surface? or would you deem that something out of ones control? What is someone bumps your bike over in transition and you break hanger or bend a wheel?

[Garfield2010]

You have missed his point completely

 

No one brought up Argus or Andy so those examples are mute. IM you don't draft and none of us are racing for the win. His point being that it is not fair on someone who has invested months or training, money, missed family time ect to not be able to finish because of a mechanical problem and not being able to get assistance in the form of lets say a new chain or new wheel (Given the fact it is offered to the pro's). He also further stated it would not mean people don't carry their own spares, within reason.

 

But to entertain your point - equipment is not always determined by what we want but rather the best we can afford (at the time). Are some more susceptible to failure - definitely. Are you in control of the road surface? or would you deem that something out of ones control? What is someone bumps your bike over in transition and you break hanger or bend a wheel?

 

That sums it up JGR.

 

I am fitting my new chain this weekend. My new tubbies will be fitted after next weekends last loooong ride. Then its a major service and hopefully I have done all I can to minimise my "mechanical incident chances". Davem can teach me how to fix a chain and Eldron how to quickly rebuild and truce a wheel the day before IM just in case I break 5 spokes and I should be good to go.

[davem]

That sums it up JGR.

 

I am fitting my new chain this weekend. My new tubbies will be fitted after next weekends last loooong ride. Then its a major service and hopefully I have done all I can to minimise my "mechanical incident chances". Davem can teach me how to fix a chain and Eldron how to quickly rebuild and truce a wheel the day before IM just in case I break 5 spokes and I should be good to go.

 

Please go buy a chainbreaker and two quicklinks. Bring your old chain or the offcut off the new one and I will show you on Friday before the race.

[Shebeen]

You have missed his point completely

 

No one brought up Argus or Andy so those examples are mute.

I got his point loud and clear, thanks for backing mine up.

 

If you need neutral support to provide with a new chain to finish your race, then you haven't arrived prepared. And that is a waste of training/expense/sweat etc..

 

FYI, thanks for pointing out what is allowed to be debated in this thread, think you'll like this one.

http://blog.writeathome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Moot-Point-Mute-Point-e1341271002625.jpg

Edited March 7, 2014 by Shebeen

[Red Zone]

OK Boys play nice, we like to maintain a certain degree of decorum in the multisport thread.

 

To sum up, preparation has nothing to do with luck. Chains break, so do spokes, gear cables, dérailleurs, bolts work lose, these are all mechanical failures and come down to bad luck. We ride our bikes for hundreds of KMs each week, it is something of a no-brainer that they will be well looked after. It is also trite to say that they will be in top shape come race day. Servicing will not prevent most mechanical failures that we are talking about, at best you will avoid a broken cable or pick up some wear and tear on a dérailleur which will might have failed on race day.

 

You cannot prevent are those mechanical failures that simply happen irrespective of the age of the part. Stuff breaks, often nothing to do with age. Bikes are complicated machines with lightweight parts that break - if this happens in a race then its just plain bad luck. You leave your bike overnight with 2500 people milling around it is all to easy for your machine to be knocked over, which is often enough to bend a dérailleur hanger

 

A puncture is part of racing, it will happen to all of us at some point, we should be 100% independent when it comes to puncture repair. In a race this will cost you no more than a few minutes. In Ironman this is small fry unless you are going for a slot / podium or if you are a pro.

 

Therefore the race organisers should, IMO, in the interests of athlete satisfaction, fairness and to allow a level competition, provide support for mechanical failures, this should be readily available.

 

I have worked for nearly a year to get to the point I am at now, to have my race stopped by a broken spoke or similar mechanical failure will be unbearable. If you haven't trained for an Ironman, dont try understand - you just cant. This is not some road or MTB race, of which there are hundreds each year. There is one Ironman SA, its damn expensive, damn hard work and a massive sacrifice for family, for some its a once in a lifetime event. Ironman is first and foremost about the athlete and his ability on the day. Mechanicals are rare and should not detract from being able to deliver your best athletic achievement on the day