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Hi All

 

So I have a Merida Scultura 5000 Road bike and have signed up for the Sun City Ultra 70.3 and would like to make a purchase of clip on bars however I'm not sure how to go about selecting the right ones. 

 

I have done about 5 Olympic Tri's on the RB and all has gone well so far however think that on the longer distances, I would benefit from the more aero position. I'm guessing that with the Clip on bars, a seat position change would be in order as well by moving it higher and more forward.

 

I would be using the bike for normal road races as well hence the reason for clip on's.

 

Thanks

Buy a second seatpost and saddle and have a bike fit done for when using the clip-ons and in a forward position for tri.

 

Then when you change from RB to tri, all you have to do is change the second seatpost/saddle and add the clip-ons and then swop over when you go back to RB.  As long as the seatpost height is marked for each, you will not have to worry about getting the right saddle setup, which will make life much easier.

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I have the ITU on Sunday and my calf muscle and back of my knee is not happy after a 11km run home on Monday. 

 

I'm feeling super sorry for myself, done the compression thing Monday evening, did the ice last night (and in my onnie this morning at my desk as I was alone in the office) and popped some anti inflammatories. 

 

I'm saying this cause I'm looking for messages of support like, don't worry you'll be fine or you doing the right thing just rest it till Sunday. 

 

Don't worry about replying to this saying "jou dom "box" what were you expecting" cause I've already said that to myself.....

 

You'll be fine - the water will be so cold you won't be able to feel your aches and pains!

 

jou dom "box"

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You'll definitely benefit. Sun City has a really nice long out and back which some extra aero will be great. 

 

I hate changing anything on a bike though. Especially something vital like a seat position. If you haven't practiced the new more-forward position you'll blow your quads up big time and the ride will be awful. So I'd be weary about changing your tried and tested position. 

 

 

Buy a second seatpost and saddle and have a bike fit done for when using the clip-ons and in a forward position for tri.

 

Then when you change from RB to tri, all you have to do is change the second seatpost/saddle and add the clip-ons and then swop over when you go back to RB.  As long as the seatpost height is marked for each, you will not have to worry about getting the right saddle setup, which will make life much easier.

 

Thanks for the advise, will be using it all going forward. I'm planning on getting the Clip on bars this month so will have some practice using them however should I not feel I'm ready, I will just go in RB format.

 

Do you possibly have any advise on selecting the right type of bars or would it be best to go for a fitting and see which bars would be best during that fitting?

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Thanks for the advise, will be using it all going forward. I'm planning on getting the Clip on bars this month so will have some practice using them however should I not feel I'm ready, I will just go in RB format.

 

Do you possibly have any advise on selecting the right type of bars or would it be best to go for a fitting and see which bars would be best during that fitting?

Clip-on extensions are adjustable with regard to reach from the pads (extension can be moved in or out).

 

The shape of the extensions is up to personal preference, whether S-bend or J-bend or a derivative thereof.

 

I started with some S-bends like the Profile Design T2 but after time found that it put stress on my wrists and did not stay comfortable on long rides.  I changed to the J-Bend T4 which for me was a more natural hand position.  

 

https://profile-design.com/collections/aerobars

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Thanks for the advise, will be using it all going forward. I'm planning on getting the Clip on bars this month so will have some practice using them however should I not feel I'm ready, I will just go in RB format.

 

Do you possibly have any advise on selecting the right type of bars or would it be best to go for a fitting and see which bars would be best during that fitting?

 

Yeah as Mr Shaper said its mostly personal preference wrt the shape. I have the carbon T2's, I like them being flat because it makes me feel fast and aero (yes I'm a jtop ... haha)

 

You'll be surprised how adjustable they are, I'm sure fit won't be a problem. 

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Thanks for the advise, will be using it all going forward. I'm planning on getting the Clip on bars this month so will have some practice using them however should I not feel I'm ready, I will just go in RB format.

 

Do you possibly have any advise on selecting the right type of bars or would it be best to go for a fitting and see which bars would be best during that fitting?

 

Take a look at the new Profile Design range, if you need any more info please feel free to make contact:

 

https://profile-design.com/collections/aluminium-aerobars/products/sonic-ergo-35a 

 

https://profile-design.com/collections/aluminium-aerobars/products/sonic-ergo-4525a

 

https://profile-design.com/collections/aluminium-aerobars/products/sonic-ergo-50a

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  • 3 weeks later...

Good luck to anyone heading to Durbs this weekend for Ultra! 

 

(Not the music festival... but good luck for that too)

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  • 2 weeks later...

Late race recap...

 

Durban Ultra 2 weeks back.

 

Firstly if anyone is looking for a first 70.3 to do, or just a really well organised great race, this is the one.

 

Saturday night the storms rolled in, the rain continued through the bike racking, race briefing and our walk down the beach to the starting point. Luckily while milling around on the beach it stopped which just left us in perfect cool, overcast conditions for the rest of the day. 

 

My swim was good, last year I dnf'd the swim after being battered by the crazy-rough ocean, this year the waves were there, but they were not angry waves, easy enough to get through, nice current pushing us towards the casino exit point, considering i'd swum 3 times since Ironman last year, I was elated to run up the beach finishing it!

 

Bike course - this must be the best stretch of road in the world to race on. Tar stunning, hills quick, profile just super fast. I loved it, 2 hours 40 something, probably my best ever time.

 

Run course is getting more and more difficult to tolerate if I'm honest. Not the route but the locals. They clearly do not give a continental that a race is going on, and continue to dominate the promenade with braais, boozy lunches, kids running amok. Fair enough they're just living  their lives but it gets pretty off-putting. Even the cops were called in to calm a specific section later on. Regardless its 21kms with almost no elevation, my run was at 'very comfortable' speed... 

 

Was my wifes second 70.3, he pipped me on the swim, after doing not a single lap since last year! took 30 mins off her bike time, and cruised the run too, its really great getting to run together for some of the race.

 

Again, we love the race, the Ultra crowd does a great job, the numbers are small enough, (I saw not a single peleton on the bike course!), a great long weekend.

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How did it go? From the pics I saw it looked a great day out.

 

 

Oops didn't see this, yes it was an awesome day out. I love the circuit racing scene I don't get bored of a lap style race so suits me just fine. 

 

Got some cramps on the run so ran at a slower pace. 

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Late race recap...

 

Durban Ultra 2 weeks back.

 

Firstly if anyone is looking for a first 70.3 to do, or just a really well organised great race, this is the one.

 

Saturday night the storms rolled in, the rain continued through the bike racking, race briefing and our walk down the beach to the starting point. Luckily while milling around on the beach it stopped which just left us in perfect cool, overcast conditions for the rest of the day. 

 

My swim was good, last year I dnf'd the swim after being battered by the crazy-rough ocean, this year the waves were there, but they were not angry waves, easy enough to get through, nice current pushing us towards the casino exit point, considering i'd swum 3 times since Ironman last year, I was elated to run up the beach finishing it!

 

Bike course - this must be the best stretch of road in the world to race on. Tar stunning, hills quick, profile just super fast. I loved it, 2 hours 40 something, probably my best ever time.

 

Run course is getting more and more difficult to tolerate if I'm honest. Not the route but the locals. They clearly do not give a continental that a race is going on, and continue to dominate the promenade with braais, boozy lunches, kids running amok. Fair enough they're just living  their lives but it gets pretty off-putting. Even the cops were called in to calm a specific section later on. Regardless its 21kms with almost no elevation, my run was at 'very comfortable' speed... 

 

Was my wifes second 70.3, he pipped me on the swim, after doing not a single lap since last year! took 30 mins off her bike time, and cruised the run too, its really great getting to run together for some of the race.

 

Again, we love the race, the Ultra crowd does a great job, the numbers are small enough, (I saw not a single peleton on the bike course!), a great long weekend.

 

Awesome stuff, the Cape Ultra has a trail route with a few inclines I'd much prefer the flat street course. 

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