Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/07/2016 04:26 PM |
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Half-Ironman is next weekend, and my first *important* race of the year (my "B" race, but an important fitness checkpoint).
Tomorrow my new tri skinsuit arrives from Castelli.
Monday I get the new Giro Aerihead helmet.
Vittoria Corsa Speed tubulars on the way.
ICE chain by Tuesday
Ultrasonic cleaner arrives today (to clean my cassette for the chain)
Mrs. CK is NOT gonna be happy when she sees the CC bill! How come "free" speed costs so much?!?!? 
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 07/07/2016 04:41 PM |
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Don't forget airfare and hotel in Kona.
I just threw down a few Franklins for my 3rd sport: backpacking (ski and bike are the other two). Life is short.
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 07/07/2016 07:08 PM |
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| Only drafting is absolutely free CK. I pointed that out many year ago when we were still on a different phorum, but no, no expensive gadgets it is. Well that what's you get for this tri foolishness where drafting is not allowed. Gotta pay through the nose for extra speed. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/07/2016 08:37 PM |
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| Ok, this ultrasonic cleaner is very cool. Still just experimenting, but seems like it is gonna get my cassette sparkly clean! |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 07/07/2016 11:49 PM |
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CK, re: that ultrasonic cleaner - can it handle an 8" object? (A 4 octave chromatic harmonica? Blues, my other vice.) If so, what make and model is it?
Ben |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/08/2016 05:15 AM |
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Hey Ben...just checked it. Only about 7" diagonally, but I know there are larger ones available. Here is the link to the one I got...lots of options on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0144E3WPM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is gonna make cleaning my drivetrain SO much easier from now on!
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 07/08/2016 06:39 AM |
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The other day I moved all my bikes around doing some garage cleaning. My wife made the casual observation, "You could buy a new bike and I'd never notice."
I'm not sure that was giving me an opportunity or a challenge.  |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 07/08/2016 06:42 AM |
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CK, give us a report on the cleaner once you've put it through the paces.
I've used automotive parts cleaners to degrease cassettes and chains but those are pretty harsh.
Can you clean greasy parts with the one you bought? |
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 07/08/2016 05:23 PM |
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That ultrasonic cleaner sounds cool. Isn't that what they use for lab or medical equipment?
Nick |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/08/2016 09:05 PM |
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Dale, so far I have cleaned a cassette and a small front chainring. Spotless.
I did both for about 40 minutes total....20 min w/ water and pine sol and 20 min with just water. Really amazing!
I'm gonna try a chain next, but expect that to be a bit tougher. First up will be a new chain w/ factory lube / grease on it.
The ICE chain actually showed up today (1 day delivery!) and it is already on the TT bike. Also swapped out the 50T CR for a 52T. I was always OK with the 50, but the 52 should let me maintain my power a bit longer when descending. Between the clean cassette and the ICE chain, there is zero grease on my drivetrain and it is soooooo smooth. |
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Master50
Posts:340
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| 07/11/2016 08:38 AM |
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| How many days does the ICE treatment last? I always understood these special chain preparations only last a single race? |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/11/2016 08:57 AM |
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Ruster Sports said ~600 miles, but that I should race on it before I get to 350. You can then send it back to them for re-treatment.
I'll put in about 50-60 miles this week on it, plus 56 on Sunday for my race. Then I'll pop it off and save it for Madison. |
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 07/11/2016 11:16 AM |
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| Good luck CK! Tell the Mrs., that speed comes with a cost :-) |
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Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 07/11/2016 11:32 AM |
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Gear is fun, plain and simple, no matter what your passion is................
"You could buy a new bike and I'd never notice."
too funny Dale!! My last bike came into the house piece by piece, over time, it was funny how the wife barely noticed, got me thinking....... |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/11/2016 02:23 PM |
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Oh man....just took the TT bike out in full race trim (Zipp 808 front, Zipp Disc, ICE chain) + the Castelli suit.
Holy scheeeeiiiittt!!!! And I only had my aero road helmet, not my TT lid on (or my new race tires). That is gonna be one seriously fast combo when it all comes together!! |
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vtguy
Posts:298
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| 07/11/2016 02:57 PM |
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| CK -- Hope you're planning to provide a race report. |
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 07/11/2016 05:15 PM |
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| I was going to offer up my GoPro so we could witness first hand, the speed that you will be riding. Then I thought the added weight would slow you down, and we don't want that. |
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smokey52
Posts:493
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| 07/11/2016 07:02 PM |
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| Just in case nobody mentioned it before: Do not use flammable solvents in the ultrasonic bath. Unless you want to drop the "budget" from the thread title and just go with "blowing up the gear". |
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Yo Mike
Posts:338
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| 07/11/2016 09:10 PM |
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Blow up the budget a bit more:
This teflon-coated chain, ceramic bearings, BB and derailleur components claims to save 10 to 16 watts.
http://www.businessinsider.com/ceramicspeed-chain-fastest-tour-de-france-2016-7
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 07/11/2016 10:18 PM |
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Posted By Spudly Crumpett III on 07/11/2016 05:15 PM
I was going to offer up my GoPro so we could witness first hand, the speed that you will be riding. Then I thought the added weight would slow you down, and we don't want that.
Spud, Spud, Spud... it's not the weight, it's the drag coefficient. Looks like someone was sleeping through CK's lectures. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/11/2016 10:38 PM |
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Yer....no way I want a GoPro hanging underneath my bars, increasing my drag! Fook that!
However, Strava links will gladly be provided so you guys can wonder in amazement at my (hopefully) low wattage / high speed numbers.
Tires getting stretched tonight for gluing tomorrow....wow, the things are supple! May have to use a bit more sealant than normal, just to be sure.
New Giro also arrived today....fit feels great and the visibility is awesome. Super-strong magnets hold the visor rock solid. What is nice is that the visor covers the ears, meaning ear flaps on the helmet itself are unnecessary. Makes getting the thing on and off unbelievable easy. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 07/17/2016 10:57 PM |
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Someone asked for a race report....so here goes.
Short story - crushed the bike, ran way above my expectations, won my AG and punched my ticket to the 70.3 Worlds!
Long story - severe weather blew in right before the start of the race. HEAVY rain, wind, lightening, etc. delayed the start, but quickly cancelled the swim (even without the lightening, the weather turned Lake Michigan nasty....no way we could have swam).
As the swim is my weakest leg, that helped me (but I was still disappointed)....but then because of the late time and road permits, they had to shorten the bike down to 31 miles form 56. Crap....that hurt me relative to the sting runners.
Rolling start for all the age groupers and I was in the last row....which meant there was a line of over 2000 riders ahead of me. Spent the whole ride yelling "MOVE RIGHT!!!" Wind was really strong (20+mph) and with the large groups of riders, made for a sketchy race. In the crosswind sections, I actually had to get out of my aero extensions and ride on the bullhorns....the combo of that many riders and that wind was really scary.
New lid, chain, tires and skinsuit are FAST.....I mean noticeably faster. I averaged 220w and just under 25mph for 31 miles...and I asn't aero for the whole ride. FLYING!
Got off the bike, headed out on the run and I was @ 7:15 pace. Really had no idea how fast to run the half-marathon off such a short bike so decided to hang it out there and see if I could hang on.
End of the first mile I had to stop to pee....cost me a minute as my 7:15 turned to an 8:16. Second mile as back @ 7:15, which I knew was too fast. Settled in @ 7:30 / mile and wanted to finish the first lap at that pace. After that, I kept saying "one more mile at this pace.....ok, that one's down, one more mile". Slowed to 7:40's in mile 10-12, but hung on to average 7:37. My run split was only 30" slower than my PR in a standalone half-marathon.
Only had the 4th fastest run, but had built up enough of a lead that I head on by over 2+ minutes at the finish. Had no idea I had won until I called home.
So September 10, 2017 I'll be towing the line in Chattanooga for the 70.3 World Championships! Still in a bit of disbelief.... |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 07/18/2016 07:17 AM |
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| Congratulations! |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 07/18/2016 07:39 AM |
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| Way to go! |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 07/18/2016 10:10 AM |
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| Cool! I hope there is a W.C. singlet in your future. |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 07/18/2016 11:21 AM |
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| Fantastic! Congratulations! |
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BuffFan
Posts:53
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| 07/21/2016 10:17 PM |
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| is there a WCP video of the race you can share??? |
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