Friday, May 07, 2010

Zipp Race Wheels - New Clincher Wheelset

Speedway, Indiana – Zipp Speed Weaponry has revealed details of the company’s highly anticipated 404 Carbon Clincher, the first deepprofile carbon clincher design to offer the superior aerodynamics, ride quality, strength, and handling of a wide rim body.

Available now through authorized Zipp retailers around the world, the 404 Carbon Clincher employs a radical new aerodynamic rim profile, dubbed Firecrest™, and exclusive materials technology developed in collaboration with Zipp’s composites supplier. As a result, the 404 Carbon Clincher reaches an unrivaled level of performance for clincher wheels and a total weight of just 1557 grams, putting it among the lightest deep-profile carbon clinchers available.

Zipp Technical Director Josh Poertner said, “This is a product that a lot of people have been waiting for, and we wanted to give them something unlike any other wheel on the market. We spent two years optimizing our carbon clincher technology and it’s probably the biggest leap forward we’ve ever made.”

To address the differences in airflow patterns between clincher tires and tubulars, Zipp engineers developed the fully toroidal Firecrest profile with a complex set of high-radius curves that adjust the width of the rim from 25.5mmm at the braking track to 27.5mm at its widest point. This wider, less tapered version of the proven hybrid-toroidal profile used in Zipp’s previous clincher wheels particularly improves the aerodynamics of the rear wheel as it rotates within the frame and makes the 404 Carbon Clincher by far the most aerodynamic clincher wheelset in its class. The new rim shape also directs airflow so precisely that handling is noticeably improved.

As Zipp discovered with designs like the Paris-Roubaix-winning 303 Tubular, a wider rim also increases lateral stiffness for sprinting and cornering yet offers greater vertical compliance for more control and comfort on rough surfaces.

With clincher tires, the wide rim design offers even greater benefits, as the tire takes on a more stable shape that places more rubber on the road while cornering without adding rolling resistance. Increased air volume also reduces the likelihood of pinch flatting compared to narrower rims.

Because clincher tires are more susceptible than tubulars are to the effects of heat buildup from heavy braking on carbon surfaces, the 404 Carbon Clincher is manufactured with a heat-resistant resin based on the materials used in motorsports brake systems. During the development process for the 404 Carbon Clincher, chemists and engineers from Zipp’s composites supplier made repeated visits to Zipp’s R&D lab to test and refine the new technology, which offers more consistent braking performance and prevents spikes in tire pressure on long descents.

According to Jim Douglas, Zipp product manager for wheels, “The versatility and popularity of the Zipp 404 made it a natural choice for carbon clincher. The performance characteristics of the 404, combined with the functionality of our carbon clincher and Firecrest rim shape will make it a success among triathletes and road racers alike.”

Indeed, the 58mm-deep 404 has long been a favorite of Zipp athletes for long-course triathlons, field sprints, rolling breakaways, and even mountain stages.

Like all Zipp carbon wheels, the 404 Carbon Clincher uses rims manufactured in-house by Zipp, premium Sapim CX-Ray spokes (16 front/20 rear), and US-made hubs with Swiss steel bearings.

Suggested retail price is $2700 per wheelset.

ABOUT ZIPP SPEED WEAPONRY

Zipp Speed Weaponry was founded in 1988 with the sole mission of making athletes faster on their bikes. Over the course of the last twenty years, Zipp has done exactly that, by drawing on its core competencies of design engineering, composites knowledge, and wind tunnel development. It is these competencies that have allowed Zipp to deliver a series of firsts in the cycling industry. From the first carbon disc wheel to the first carbon crank to the first wheel to achieve negative drag in the wind tunnel. These firsts have helped Zipp athletes to become champions in the toughest races in the world, on the fiercest roads in the world, from the cobbled roads of Belgium to the Queen K in Kona. Zipp Wheels are handmade in Speedway, IN USA.

Posted by Coach Kelly on 05/07/10 at 11:54 AM
Triathlon Tips • (0) Comments • Permalink

---

Thursday, July 02, 2009

10 Quick Race Day Tips

1. Put your swim cap on over your goggle strap to help prevent your goggles from being knocked off during the swim


2. Keep an extra pair of goggles in your dry clothes bag at the start just in case!


3. Fasten your race-timing chip underneath your wetsuit, so it stays on when your wetsuit is pulled off in T1. It is a good idea to safety pin the Velcro timing chip strap on your ankle to ensure it does not get ripped off in the swim too!


4. Use athletic tape to secure the end of your watchstrap


5. Place a small amount of body lubricant on the nose of the saddle of your bike to apply when ridding to areas prone to chaffing. (Note - if the saddle is glued together, some lubricants can destroy the glue)


6. Put a little Talc or baby powder in each bike shoe as it can help you slip into them more easily


7. Use lace locks or elastic laces on your running shoes so you can just slip the shoe on and go!


8. Guys may want to put band-aids on the nipples for longer distances when they head out on the road to avoid chafing. Now there is even nip guards out there!


9. Also remember to drink plenty of water out there and for longer races don’t forget to eat and consume plenty of fluids and calories to carry you through the whole event. It’s a good idea to use an aero drink for quick consumption of fluid. A good tip is to turn the yellow sponge sideways in the top of the arrow drink so it does not bounce out like the hundred other yellow sponges you see laying on the course on race day 


10. Relax and have fun!

Posted by Coach Kelly on 07/02/09 at 08:32 AM
Triathlon Tips • (1) Comments • Permalink

---

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

New to Triathlon Training Tips

Triathlon has evolved considerably since its inception a little over 30 years ago.  Equipment, training methods and nutrition have come a long way.  Still, there are things that don’t change: mistakes and, well, "idiosyncrasies" of triathletes…

1. Training for Three Sports, Not One – Yes, triathlon is swimming, biking and running.  When put together, it becomes something different, something that will educate the athlete on new muscles, aches and pains.  We all do the triathlon-shuffle off the bike but it can be minimized through training.  At least once a week, run right after biking and let your muscles (and mind) adapt to the change. T-runs, (transition runs) should be regularly incorporated in training.


2. Focusing on What We Do Well – Most athletes moving into triathlon have a swimming, running or biking background.  As one continues to train, often times the athlete tends to gravitate to his or her "strong" sport and neglects the weaker areas. When starting out, focus on learning what’s new and incorporate it into training. You don’t want to learn bike handling skills while approaching a 90-degree turn on a wet road at 25 mph.  And it’s not easy to jump into the open water for the first time on race day, so find some open water and practice sighting without lane lines.  Race day isn’t really a great time to learn new skills; that is what training is for.
   
   


3. It’s New! – Ah, the race expo.  A wonderland of gear that will make you faster, more comfortable, stronger, happier and more appealing to the opposite sex.  Go ahead, support the multisport community and buy away…just try it out first.  That new wetsuit?  Chafe city!  Day-glow racing shoes?  Oh, the blisters you’ll feel.  Sleek one piece tri-suit?  It’s not so sleek when you are tugging at it as you come down the finish chute.  New super-caffeinated, oxygenated, long-polymer sports-gel?  Well, you know what happens with that.  Retail therapy can be a wonderful thing; just test out your stuff in training and use it at the next race. Remember...nothing new on race day!!!
   
   


4. Bringing out the Bling – You do not need an $8,000 bike to participate in, be good at or win a triathlon.  There is no "most use of carbon fiber" category in the sport, although some appear to be competing for that prize.  A $500 wetsuit?  You won’t threaten Michael Phelps. Those $100 racing flats?  You’ll run the same but have sore feet.  If you are new to the sport and need a bike, ask around.  A road bike is fine for most, and preferred by some.  Mid-range components are amazingly accurate and durable.  It is most important to have your equipment fit you well, be in good shape and make you comfortable.  Save the real bling for the day you are a sponsored athlete.
   
   


5. "Camp Transition" – You’ve seen them.  They arrive early, spread out what appears to be a king-sized bedspread, and meticulously line up their bike shoes, running shoes, helmet, a tub of rinse water for their feet (must be at least 4 gallons), various towels, pre-race drink, post-race drink, energy bars, gels, extra socks, three kinds of sunglasses, two kinds of hats, sunscreen (three bottles, each with a different SPF), lotions, Vaseline, race belt and a picture of the dog.  And this is just for a sprint race!  Of course, if rain threatens, camp transition will be covered by what could double as an 8-person tent.  Everyone else has crammed their bike and gear into a space two feet wide. Be simple and be efficient.
   
   


6. If the Pros Do It, Then It Must be Good – Pros have practiced the skills needed to save seconds, and those seconds can put bread on the table.  For the rest of us, pro-emulation often leads to self-humiliation.  Those 30 mph turns look easy but aren’t so cool when extracting yourself from a hay bale.  Taking off the bike shoes while riding into transition may save a few seconds – until the shoes flip over, get caught on the pavement and Newton’s third law comes into play. Ease into it, focus on the basic and enjoy the sport for the long haul!


7. Mr. Excuse – OK, there are times when things really do go haywire and you have to quit a race.  However, a flat tire, leaky goggles, a dropped nutrition bottle, a missed turn or raindrops are really not good excuses.  Every race brings something new and many things you can’t control.  Pros have forgotten bike shoes – they just ride in running shoes.  It’s not ideal but works. You’ve trained too long and hard to allow minor inconvenience to derail your day.  Is it really right to train for months and spend huge amounts on travel and let an $8 inner tube end your day?  Learn the basics to keep yourself going and deal with what the day brings. 


8. I Can Beat That Person! – Oh yeah, you get passed by someone with a "62" on their calf (their age) and have the harsh realization you are getting smoked by someone two or three times your age.  Same thing applies when a "larger" person comes blasting by on the bike.  Ah, we must give chase and save our reputation!  That usually lasts about one minute before your tongue is dragging on the ground.  There are some VERY fast people in ALL age groups.  Race your own race.  You"ve practiced your pace and should know your limits. 

Posted by Coach Kelly on 06/30/09 at 04:36 PM
Triathlon Tips • (0) Comments • Permalink

---

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Achieving Success in Triathlon

8 basic steps to help you achieve success in triathlon:

1. Take Time to Reflect on how good you can become and/or want to become

Working with a coach can help you understand your potential. Together, you and your coach will be able to assess strengths and limiters and create a plan to help you achieve your utmost potential. Balancing work, family, training and life is about time management and planning. It’s challenging to balance it all successfully without a "road map." Taking time to reflect and communicating with your coach allows you to create a training plan which becomes your working "road map!"

2. Find Balance

Triathlon can lead to pushing one’s self to the limits. Triathlon often does involve many sacrifices, but striking a balance with work, family, friends, and training is crucial for long term success. Balance can be achieved and efficient ways of finding this balance is found by taking time to reflect and communicating with your family, friends and coach.

3. Enjoy the sport

Find joy in training, racing, and working toward goals. If you are not having fun, why are you doing it? Triathlon is a sport and it should be adding joy to your life!

4. Learn from mistakes

Learn from your coach, fellow athletes and mentors. Learn from great performances as well as poor performances. Learn from watching your peers as well as yourself. You can never learn too much! Knowledge is power!

5. Enjoy the process

As you learn to focus and prepare for races, enjoy the mental preparation as well as the physical. Celebrate the accomplishments. Share the fun with family and friends. Like tip #3, find joy in all you do!

6. Keep it simple

Aim for a simple and manageable plan that you can maintain while still enjoying life. Your coach can help you develop effective workouts so you can just keep focused on priorities and take pleasure in the process and the accomplishments!

7. Take some time off

At the end of each season, relax, take some time off from the sport and enjoy spending time doing other things. Also, take this time for extra reflection so you can build a strategy that will help lead you to your next goals.

8. Start fresh

Start your new season fresh. It is easy to underestimate fatigue. Remember, the further you push your fitness, the greater the recovery you will need to build into your training. Planned rest is vital to continued success!

Posted by Coach Kelly on 06/27/09 at 04:07 PM
Triathlon Tips • (0) Comments • Permalink

---

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

10 Quick Triathlon Tips

10 Quick Triathlon Tips from Coach Kel and Coach Rob

1. Goggles

* You do need Goggles! So be sure to find a comfortable pair! Always keep a couple extra in your swim bag and don’t forget to bring an extra pair on race morning too! Don’t be the athlete running around swim start looking for the goggles that were dropped on the way to the beach!

* There are various types to choose from, but look for a soft suction to the face and a good seal. Women often find this to be challenging with smaller faces. Some suggestions are the Speedo Jr Hydrospex™, Speedo Women’s Vanquisher™ and my personal favorite, the Blue Seventy Vision Goggles in Small.

* To help prevent fogging you can use a small amount of no-tears baby shampoo mixed with water. Put a little drop of this solution on the goggles, dunk in the pool to rinse well and you should be good to go! (practice with this though as too much soap will irritate your eyes and too little doesn’t help prevent the fog).

2. Use Body Lubricant

* Using a body lubricant in areas where your wetsuit rubs against your skin like neck, armpits, wrists, and ankles will reduce chafing and help you peel the wetsuit off easier. The product, Suit Juice™ also works well. Another great idea is to put a little glob of body lube or Vaseline under the nose of your bike seat to apply on the bike and/or perhaps before you head out on the run. Under the armpits and chest area for the guys are good ones too! (Quick side note- do not use Vaseline or petroleum based lubricants on the wetsuit! Body Glide™, Pam Cooking Spray™ or Suit Juice™ is okay - but the others will break down the wetsuit).

* Take time to Lube up for the Bike Ride too! We’ve become big fans of Assos Chamios cream. I even take the time to apply in transition. Be as comfortable on the bike so you can ride strong the whole way through.

3. Wear socks in longer races

* Wearing socks will help prevent blisters. When you get really good- you may want to experiment in shorter races without them for faster transitions, but in the beginning you want comfort.

* I do not use socks on the bike, but I do on the run! Rob likes socks on the bike and run. In Ironman, he sometimes takes the time to change into a fresh, dry pair in T2. See what works for you!

* Also, you may wish to use a light sock under your fins when training with fins in the pool to eliminate blisters. Severe blisters interfere with your training and can get infected leaving you sidelined.  So be smart, wear your socks and keep your feet clean!

4. Check your tires

* Make sure your tires are inflated to recommended tire pressure before you ride. Tires that are too low will require more work from the rider to go at any given pace. Tires that are too high in pressure can pop! Be careful on race morning especially - if you over inflate the tire and it sits in the hot sun while you are swimming you may come back to an exploded tire!   

5. Keep your head up

* As you are riding your bike, keep your head up and look a good distance down the road to anticipate what is ahead. Dropping your head and looking down is dangerous! It prevents you from knowing what is going on ahead as well as the closer in you look, the less stable you become. And, with the areo helmets, you need to keep your head looking forward to achieve the aerodynamics of the areo design!

6. Lube your chain and keep your bike clean

* Keep your chain lubricated and clean to reduce friction. It will also make changing a rear flat less messy!

* Be sure to wash and clean your bike. A clean bike lasts longer, provides a smoother ride and is safer as you become aware of the details when cleaning. Check for lose screws, worn parts and even cracks should they occur.

7. Wear comfortable fitted workout clothes

* Bike shorts are a must! Lube up with Assos Chamois Crème™ to help prevent saddle soars.

* Also, use a Dri-fit™ type material for your shirts. Cotton T-shirts will not allow you dissipate heat very well and will cause extra drag. Although it took Coach Rob until recently to give up his 100% cotton t-shirts, he finally enjoys the benefits of the light, technical fabrics

8. Invest in good shoes

* Find a good bike shoe with a solid bottom that will enable you to generate power and force through the pedal. The fit of your bike shoe is much different than then fit of your running shoe. The bike shoe should be snug as you do not need room between the front and your big toe(you are not running downhill in your bike shoes )

* Go to a specialized running store and have someone watch you run in various styles of running shoes to find the best shoe type for you! As you continue to train, remember to change your running shoes every 400 miles or so depending on your weight. Also, purchase 2 pairs of running shoes at least at a time and rotate back and forth between 2 pairs. Remember to mark them...shoe #1 and shoe #2 so you can easily rotate each run!

9. Schedule your workouts

* Create a plan and schedule your workouts so that you stick with your plan. It’s easy to snooze through the morning or do dinner after work, but if you have your workout scheduled for the week, you can plan accordingly. Get to bed on time and plan other activities around your training! Avoid turning on the TV if you have trouble turning it off. 

10. Food is Fuel

* Remember to eat quality foods throughout the days to fuel your workouts. You need energy in to get energy out!    Coach Kelly http://www.energyfitnesscoaching.com

Posted by Coach Kelly on 06/02/09 at 11:04 AM
Fitness and Training • Triathlon Tips • (0) Comments • Permalink

---