Transition Advice regarding shoes

Wondering how most agegroupers handle the swim to bike transition with regard to bike shoes. Does
anyone keep the shoes clipped to the pedals like the pros? Are there any tricks for keeping the shoe
open and straps out of the way, and the shoe upright?

I just bought my first set of bike shoes. With the speedplay cleats and adapters screwed in, I can't
imagine running in them from the bike rack to the bike mounting/dismounting area.

Let me know what you think!!

--
Jim Gosse Technician, Wave Tank 737-3221 [email protected]

 

I keep them clipped and jump up onto the bike before sliding my feet in. Easy and work.

"Jim Gosse" <[email protected]> ¦b¶l¥ó news:[email protected] ¤¤¼¶¼g...
> Wondering how most agegroupers handle the swim to bike transition with regard to bike shoes. Does
> anyone keep the shoes clipped to the pedals
like
> the pros? Are there any tricks for keeping the shoe open and straps out of the way, and the shoe
> upright?
>
> I just bought my first set of bike shoes. With the speedplay cleats and adapters screwed in, I
> can't imagine running in them from the bike rack to the bike mounting/dismounting area.
>
> Let me know what you think!!
>
> --
> Jim Gosse Technician, Wave Tank 737-3221 [email protected]

 

Fastest transitions with bike shoes:

Bike to run: on approach to transition, open straps on both shoes. Remove right (or left, depending
on preference) foot from shoe, stand on shoe. Remove other foot from shoe, throw leg over saddle.
Control speed with brakes to dismount line, step off on right foot, run to transition rack. At rack,
rack bike before helmet off, shoes on.

Swim to bike: Clip shoes to bike pedals. Run an elastic band from an appropriate part of the shoe
to an appropriate part of the bike (e.g. front derailleur or bottle holder) to hold shoe flat
(reduces dragging on ground). At mount line, depending on proficiency, either: 1) flying leap to
land with feet on shoes OR 2) put shoe on forward pedal, drive down, throw other leg over saddle.
Pedal up to speed. Put one foot in shoe, tighten strap, pedal up to speed. Put other foot in shoe,
tighten strap.

Run to bike: At transition stand, helmet on first, simultaneously drag shoes off with alternate feet
on heels. Then as above.

Practise, practise, practise. A good transition is < 10 seconds with this method, not counting
running time between actual transition points (end of swim or run, start of bike etc). Talcum powder
in shoes helps.

Worst thing that can go wrong with this method is that you forget to take the standing foot out of
the shoe, so you lose any gain you get by 'scooting' in otherwise...and I've done that a few times.
I don't have a comparison of these transition times with platform pedals, sorry. STF

 

BUT, is this pre-attaching pedals to the bike, REALLY the fastest way to transition from swim to
bike to run? I don't believe that once you are out of the transition area and fumbling around with
the shoes at the start of the bike leg, that one gains much more time in total/overall. What I mean
is, the transition time on the clock may look quicker, but actually one loses all that gained time
with fumbling on the start of the bike leg!

I also think that the potential for accidents in the first 500m of the bike section is heightened by
people wobbling all over the place on the bike. I do recall seeing certain feamle elite members in
the Commonwealth Games triathlon, who could not get their feet properly into the pedals, then fell
off! And what if the bike section suddenly goes uphill straight from transition?

So, I am going to do the opposing method this weekend because I think it is more efficient: simply
jump in and out of the pedals with my Carnac shoes on...also gives one the great opportunity to make
a serious attack at the begiining of the bike leg too...teee heee...

R

"Stewart Fleming" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Fastest transitions with bike shoes:
>
> Bike to run: on approach to transition, open straps on both shoes. Remove right (or left,
> depending on preference) foot from shoe, stand on shoe. Remove other foot from shoe, throw leg
> over saddle. Control speed with brakes to dismount line, step off on right foot, run to transition
> rack. At rack, rack bike before helmet off, shoes on.
>
> Swim to bike: Clip shoes to bike pedals. Run an elastic band from an appropriate part of the shoe
> to an appropriate part of the bike (e.g. front derailleur or bottle holder) to hold shoe flat
> (reduces dragging on ground). At mount line, depending on proficiency, either: 1) flying leap to
> land with feet on shoes OR 2) put shoe on forward pedal, drive down, throw other leg over saddle.
> Pedal up to speed. Put one foot in shoe, tighten strap, pedal up to speed. Put other foot in shoe,
> tighten strap.
>
> Run to bike: At transition stand, helmet on first, simultaneously drag shoes off with alternate
> feet on heels. Then as above.
>
> Practise, practise, practise. A good transition is < 10 seconds with this method, not counting
> running time between actual transition points (end of swim or run, start of bike etc). Talcum
> powder in shoes helps.
>
> Worst thing that can go wrong with this method is that you forget to take the standing foot out of
> the shoe, so you lose any gain you get by 'scooting' in otherwise...and I've done that a few
> times. I don't have a comparison of these transition times with platform pedals, sorry. STF

 

Rebecca Bishop wrote:

> BUT, is this pre-attaching pedals to the bike, REALLY the fastest way to transition from swim to
> bike to run? I don't believe that once you are out

With practice, yes. That's why you spin up to speed immediately and after each foot. Single strap
shoes are easier to handle.

> I also think that the potential for accidents in the first 500m of the bike section is heightened
> by people wobbling all over the place on the bike. I do recall seeing certain feamle elite members
> in the Commonwealth Games triathlon, who could not get their feet properly into the pedals, then
> fell off! And what if the bike section suddenly goes uphill straight from transition?

Again, practice. It has to be instinctive feel for where your feet go on the bike, how you reach for
heel loops and straps etc. On rainy days we occasionally get a group together here and just do
transitions (even onto a turbo-mounted bike ) Duathlon worlds in Alpharetta last year, yes
straight uphill from transition. Not a problem.

> So, I am going to do the opposing method this weekend because I think it is more efficient: simply
> jump in and out of the pedals with my Carnac shoes on...also gives one the great opportunity to
> make a serious attack at the begiining of the bike leg too...teee heee...

How would you plan to cope with a downhill run from transition to mount point in cleated slippery
shoes, again as was the case for Alpharetta?

But, good luck and do let me know what the results are. STF

 

I agree with Rebecca, I like to put my shoes on and run with them to the mount line, then flying
mount onto the bike, and take off down the road. I've never done the shoes clipped in already
method.... but everyone I race against does. I typically beat everyone that exits the water with
me to the mount line, and I already have my shoes on, imagine the gain there. The quick start off
the mount line is particularly important for me as my strength is the bike leg, combine that with
the out of sight, out of mind philosophy, and many of my competitors just wait to try and get me
on the run.

 

Whatever you do, practice it over and over again.

I stood at the bike outlet at Wildflower long course last year. As soon as you were past the point
where they let you mount, there was a gentle slope up for about 20 meters. The first 3 or 4 guys
out, the pros, looked smooth. However, I would say at least 3 out of 4 (if not more) of everyone
else who had shoes clipped in, screwed up.

I saw several people fall over. A few fall over twice. Several people took out other riders, blood a
few times and one guy broke his seat post when he fell. The crowed loved it, it was a real comedy.

One good strategy seemed to be to ride on top of the shoes until you had lots of momentum. This is
what most of the pros did.

I use SPD and can shuffle along just fine in them. My strategy is to use synthetic socks so they
slip on my wet feet easily, have the shoes wide open and ready to slip into, sitting next to the
bike and to be real careful and deliberate about getting to the mounting point. Rules typically say
no running anyway.

BW

"Jim Gosse" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Wondering how most agegroupers handle the swim to bike transition with regard to bike shoes. Does
> anyone keep the shoes clipped to the pedals like the pros? Are there any tricks for keeping the
> shoe open and straps out of the way, and the shoe upright?
>
> I just bought my first set of bike shoes. With the speedplay cleats and adapters screwed in, I
> can't imagine running in them from the bike rack to the bike mounting/dismounting area.
>
> Let me know what you think!!

 

Bill Wallace wrote:

> One good strategy seemed to be to ride on top of the shoes until you had lots of momentum. This is
> what most of the pros did.

Of course you have to do this. Nothing else is stable.

 

How do you beat everyone that you exit out of the water with to the mount line if you stop and while standing still put your shoes on? Perhaps the question should be what is taking them so long???
I have seen guys slip over when their hard plastic or metal cleats hit the road. Its like ice skating. That cant be safe! If people are wobbling all over the road cos they have 1 hand off the bars then they should either gain more momentum or learn to handle a bike better. Heven help us if these people need to take out and replace their drink bottles.
If you just want to have fun in a race, and dont care about times or places or missing the pack, then sure pop your shoes on in transition (perhaps some talc while you're there). But dont tell people new to the sport it is faster, that information is just incorrect.

 

Kristian <[email protected]> wrote:
> How do you beat everyone that you exit out of the water with to the mount line if you stop
> and while standing still put your shoes on? Perhaps the question should be what is taking
> them so long???

The time difference between grabbing your bike and running off (because your shoes are clipped in)
and lifting each leg once to throw your shoes on and then taking your bike and leaving is about 3
seconds. The fact that I beat most of them to the mount line is probably because my wetsuit come off
real easy.

> I have seen guys slip over when their hard plastic or metal cleats hit the road. Its like ice
> skating. That cant be safe! If people are wobbling all over the road cos they have 1 hand off the
> bars then they should either gain more momentum or learn to handle a bike better. Heven help us if
> these people need to take out and replace their drink bottles.

You're right, it's an embarassing site to see.

> If you just want to have fun in a race, and dont care about times or places or missing the pack,
> then sure pop your shoes on in transition (perhaps some talc while you're there). But dont tell
> people new to the sport it is faster, that information is just incorrect.

Incorrect for YOU maybe, but not me. I do have fun at races but I also care about times and
places. I've never missed the pack that I left the water with, including national level races
(both draft legal and illegal) where it should be assumed that at least some of the best
transitioners in the nation are racing. Those 3 extra seconds that I spend in the transition area
are more than made up in the first 1/4 mile after the mount line when I get to sprint around
people fiddling with their shoes.

I'm not saying that putting your shoes on in transition is the only way to go, I'm refuting the
claim that having your shoes clipped in is the absolute superior method. My advice to anyone trying
to decide how to transition is to try both methods and see which one works for them. But don't just
time yourself to the mount line, time yourself to the 1/2 mile mark of the bike leg.

 

Stewart Fleming <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
<snip>
>
> But, good luck and do let me know what the results are. STF
>

And good luck in your race (NZ Duathlon Champs) next weekend, Stewart.

Show them how to get it right with the shoes too ...

Cheers

Jeff

 

Your message consists entirely of quoted text. Please enter your reply.

PATRICK BELL E <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> I agree with Rebecca, I like to put my shoes on and run with them to the mount line, then flying
> mount onto the bike, and take off down the road. I've never done the shoes clipped in already
> method.... but everyone I race against does. I typically beat everyone that exits the water with
> me to the mount line, and I already have my shoes on, imagine the gain there. The quick start off
> the mount line is particularly important for me as my strength is the bike leg, combine that with
> the out of sight, out of mind philosophy, and many of my competitors just wait to try and get me
> on the run.

 

Stewart,...well I can't say I got my tranistion perfect this weekend! This was my first triathlon
in 8 years - and yes, I realise I would need to learn 'all the tricks in the book' regarding getting
shoes on/off visa-vee different transition scenarios - so I'll be practicing this week onwards with
the bike shoes. I see that triathlon has moved on a bit since I used to do them. I got a yellow card
and 10 second penalty yesterday because I did not keep my helmet on until I mounted the bike on the
rack in transition - new rules...so tonnes of things to get right for next time!

Cheers

"Stewart Fleming" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]et.nz...
>
>
> Rebecca Bishop wrote:
>
> > BUT, is this pre-attaching pedals to the bike, REALLY the fastest way to transition from swim to
> > bike to run? I don't believe that once you are
out
>
> With practice, yes. That's why you spin up to speed immediately and after
each
> foot. Single strap shoes are easier to handle.
>
> > I also think that the potential for accidents in the first 500m of the
bike
> > section is heightened by people wobbling all over the place on the bike.
I
> > do recall seeing certain feamle elite members in the Commonwealth Games triathlon, who could not
> > get their feet properly into the pedals, then
fell
> > off! And what if the bike section suddenly goes uphill straight from transition?
>
> Again, practice. It has to be instinctive feel for where your feet go on
the
> bike, how you reach for heel loops and straps etc. On rainy days we occasionally get a group
> together here and just do transitions (even onto
a
> turbo-mounted bike ) Duathlon worlds in Alpharetta last year, yes
straight
> uphill from transition. Not a problem.
>
> > So, I am going to do the opposing method this weekend because I think it
is
> > more efficient: simply jump in and out of the pedals with my Carnac
shoes
> > on...also gives one the great opportunity to make a serious attack at
the
> > begiining of the bike leg too...teee heee...
>
> How would you plan to cope with a downhill run from transition to mount
point
> in cleated slippery shoes, again as was the case for Alpharetta?
>
> But, good luck and do let me know what the results are. STF

 

Jeff Cook wrote:

> And good luck in your race (NZ Duathlon Champs) next weekend, Stewart.
>
> Show them how to get it right with the shoes too ...

Thanks Jeff. It all went OK. 12s and 19s for the two transitions, but nasty cramp on the second run.
Did enough for Worlds selection. STF

 

The time difference between grabbing your bike and running off (because your shoes are clipped in)
and lifting each leg once to throw your shoes on and then taking your bike and leaving is about 3
seconds. The fact that I beat most of them to the mount line is probably because my wetsuit come off
real easy.

Incorrect for YOU maybe, but not me. I do have fun at races but I also care about times and
places. I've never missed the pack that I left the water with, including national level races
(both draft legal and illegal) where it should be assumed that at least some of the best
transitioners in the nation are racing. Those 3 extra seconds that I spend in the transition area
are more than made up in the first 1/4 mile after the mount line when I get to sprint around
people fiddling with their shoes.

I'm not saying that putting your shoes on in transition is the only way to go, I'm refuting the
claim that having your shoes clipped in is the absolute superior method. My advice to anyone trying
to decide how to transition is to try both methods and see which one works for them. But don't just
time yourself to the mount line, time yourself to the 1/2 mile mark of the bike leg. [/B][/QUOTE]


You are still running in bike shoes and have to slow down to get on your bike then put the cleats in. If shoes on first were the fastest method all the pros would do it. The difference it not that great and I do see your point that there are merrits to both methods. Good luck next race, might see you there.