Give it a TRI

[Gripen_85]

Hello folks,

In preparation for the 5150, we are looking for ways to help get our time down, without breaking the bank.

Unfortunately, it is too expensive to buy road or gravel bikes, so we will be riding our trusty MTB's.

 

Would fitting a slicker tyre make an impact on our performance?

The Chaoyang Flying Diamond 29x1.5 caught my eye. 

We currently run a tubeless setup on the bikes, and I have no idea what to look for with regards to rim compatibility with the Chaoyang.

 

My bike has the Titan Racing rims, which have a number of 622x23.6mm on them. Whatever that means.

And my partner's bike has the Sun Ringle Helix TR27 SL rims.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

(I'd love to buy R1500 tyres, but we have invested in wetsuits, so the budget is rather min at the moment).

[milky4130]

5 hours ago, Gripen_85 said:

Hello folks,

In preparation for the 5150, we are looking for ways to help get our time down, without breaking the bank.

Unfortunately, it is too expensive to buy road or gravel bikes, so we will be riding our trusty MTB's.

 

Would fitting a slicker tyre make an impact on our performance?

The Chaoyang Flying Diamond 29x1.5 caught my eye. 

We currently run a tubeless setup on the bikes, and I have no idea what to look for with regards to rim compatibility with the Chaoyang.

 

My bike has the Titan Racing rims, which have a number of 622x23.6mm on them. Whatever that means.

And my partner's bike has the Sun Ringle Helix TR27 SL rims.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

(I'd love to buy R1500 tyres, but we have invested in wetsuits, so the budget is rather min at the moment).

in all honesty if you already made up your mind to use MTB's you are not there for PR's or Podiums, then I would not spend another cent for tires you are probably going to use once only.

[IceCreamMan]

5 hours ago, Gripen_85 said:

Hello folks,

In preparation for the 5150, we are looking for ways to help get our time down, without breaking the bank.

Unfortunately, it is too expensive to buy road or gravel bikes, so we will be riding our trusty MTB's.

 

Would fitting a slicker tyre make an impact on our performance?

The Chaoyang Flying Diamond 29x1.5 caught my eye. 

We currently run a tubeless setup on the bikes, and I have no idea what to look for with regards to rim compatibility with the Chaoyang.

 

My bike has the Titan Racing rims, which have a number of 622x23.6mm on them. Whatever that means.

And my partner's bike has the Sun Ringle Helix TR27 SL rims.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

(I'd love to buy R1500 tyres, but we have invested in wetsuits, so the budget is rather min at the moment).

Have you read the rules to ensure MTB’s are permitted?

from my recollection they were not when I did 5150s etc. 

[Gripen_85]

5 minutes ago, IceCreamMan said:

Have you read the rules to ensure MTB’s are permitted?

from my recollection they were not when I did 5150s etc. 

I'm standing by the 2026 athlete guide, but the 2025 one says MTB's were allowed.

 

[Andymann]

Slicks might not make a massive difference to your bike time, but they certainly will help and your legs won't be as fatigued when you get to the run.  If I was using a MTB, I would definitely put on slicks.  Years ago I had a set of Kenda Kwests on my MTB which I used on the road and they made a big difference.  And they were dirt cheap too - R150-odd

[ChrisF]

On 1/9/2026 at 10:31 AM, Andymann said:

Slicks might not make a massive difference to your bike time, but they certainly will help and your legs won't be as fatigued when you get to the run.  If I was using a MTB, I would definitely put on slicks.  Years ago I had a set of Kenda Kwests on my MTB which I used on the road and they made a big difference.  And they were dirt cheap too - R150-odd

 

And with the wide range of gravel tyres it is possible to get some good options.

 

Next would be the optimal ring gear size ....

[Gripen_85]

27 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

And with the wide range of gravel tyres it is possible to get some good options.

 

Next would be the optimal ring gear size ....

I am thinking that I should get something I can slap on a gravel bike, so that when I can afford one, I have spare tyres.

 

We might have a road bike we can use, just waiting to confirm the size. My partner can use the roadie.

Then I'll put a gravel-ish tyre on my hardtail and use that.

 

I went to my LBS today and they said the Chaoyang's should work, and they're in budget.

 

We'll see.

[ChrisF]

The downside of a hardtail is the gearing.  You spin out around 40km/h.

 

Gravel or road bikes allows a much higher top speed, when conditions allow this.

 

Thus my comment of the ring size.

 

But these are all cost items .... easy to let the budget run away ...

[dave303e]

On 1/10/2026 at 5:27 PM, ChrisF said:

The downside of a hardtail is the gearing.  You spin out around 40km/h.

 

Gravel or road bikes allows a much higher top speed, when conditions allow this.

 

Thus my comment of the ring size.

 

But these are all cost items .... easy to let the budget run away ...

it is one of the cheaper ones to do though especially if you are special. I have a 40 tooth on my trainer bike to make the hardtail work with Zwift, think I paid R800 on a special and bought a few a year or so ago. I know cycle lab had a few of these odd size chainrings on special late last year as well.

[Zama7]

On 12/7/2024 at 12:05 PM, Zama7 said:

Hey Guys

 

Finally got my bike back, a couple of newbie questions:

 

1. What is the pink sediment coming out the fork ?

2. Want to change the wheels & tyres to 28" and add tri bars, assume the system will still work ?

3. Any other upgrades besides tri-bars you guys would recommend for an half ironman  ?

 

Just an update on this. Using the same wheels and tubes I was able to fir 28" tyres. Did a 84km raod race exactly same as last year with 25" and my time was roughly 3 minutes slower but effort was slighly less as average heart rate was about 10bpm slower.

 

Overall not nearly as sore as with the 25" tyres so definately worth it for me, would estimate lost like 0.5km/h so a no brainer of an upgrade. 

[Avo]

Howzit

My wife and I will be entering our first Half IronMan in Mossel Bay at the end of the year. Cycling and running we should have everything covered. It's the swimming that needs some attention - goal is to just get through the swimming and then make up some time in the cycling and running.

My Dad has given me his old wet suit. I think he used it for surfing in his younger days. Is this type of wetsuit allowed for the event? If I can save some money by using this wetsuit that will be great but want to make sure within the rules. Any advice regarding wetsuits will be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

 

[Zebra]

...At IRONMAN South Africa, wetsuits are generally permitted for age-groupers if the water temperature is  (24.5c) or colder.

They are mandatory if the water is below (16c). Wetsuits cannot exceed 5mm in thickness, and certain types with forearm flaps, such as the De Soto Water Rover, are prohibited. 

 IRONMAN SOUTH AFRICA ATHLETE GUIDE

 

Edited February 16 by Zebra

[Gripen_85]

1 hour ago, Avo said:

Howzit

My wife and I will be entering our first Half IronMan in Mossel Bay at the end of the year. Cycling and running we should have everything covered. It's the swimming that needs some attention - goal is to just get through the swimming and then make up some time in the cycling and running.

My Dad has given me his old wet suit. I think he used it for surfing in his younger days. Is this type of wetsuit allowed for the event? If I can save some money by using this wetsuit that will be great but want to make sure within the rules. Any advice regarding wetsuits will be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

 

Hello there,

 

I am on a similar journey. We have entered the 5150 in PE in April.

 

The wetsuit is a massive cost indeed.

 

Any wetsuit less than 5mm can be used, in theory.

But swimming wetsuits are designed with bouyancy panels in certain areas, and thinner areas where you need more movement, such as the arms.

 

We invested in the Flowolf wetsuits.

Just having someone show us how to put it on and take it off was well worth it!

And, they are a more affordable brand than all the others.

If you're in Gauteng, I recommend chatting to the guys at Troisports.

 

I'm not a strong swimmer and decided that I would rather invest in good gear now, to give me as much help as possible for the swim! 

I hope to get many uses out of it over the next few years.

 

All the best with your training!

[IceCreamMan]

My first IM I rented a wet suit from blusmooth. After that I bought an armless xterra wet suit which I never used for IM as I prefer swimming in my speedo. Looked strange on the beach. 
 

if intended to only do a one off event rent one or borrow one. 

[capediver]

3 hours ago, Avo said:

Howzit

My wife and I will be entering our first Half IronMan in Mossel Bay at the end of the year. Cycling and running we should have everything covered. It's the swimming that needs some attention - goal is to just get through the swimming and then make up some time in the cycling and running.

My Dad has given me his old wet suit. I think he used it for surfing in his younger days. Is this type of wetsuit allowed for the event? If I can save some money by using this wetsuit that will be great but want to make sure within the rules. Any advice regarding wetsuits will be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

 

If you use this, make sure you wear a chafe vest as well! As a surfer from 70's, these were the cause of many days of pain from wetsuit rash (neck and under the arms!!) until the rash vest was "invented"...ample vaseline was the only thing available back then!

[dave303e]

Honestly just rent one, i have done 3 half iron distance events and usually just rent from Xterra wetsuits. rent it for 3 weeks, 2 weeks before the event jump in a pool and check where it will rub you so you know where to lube up and then send it back the day after the race. They are really great to deal with and you get the right tool for the job