To qualify for Kona, you need to earn a qualifying slot. Each race allocates a certain number of Kona slots by age division, roughly according to the ages of competing participants.
Below are the slot allocation examples by race and age division for 2009 north American Ironman events. Example: if your finish time put you in the top 10 M35-39 finishers at Ironman Arizona, you would have qualified to go to Kona. For more, see Qualifying for Kona.
Division
Arizona
Canada
CdA
Florida
Lake Placid
Wisconsin
M18-24
1
1
1
2
1
6
M25-29
3
3
4
4
3
9
M30-34
8
5
6
6
5
12
M35-39
10
8
8
8
8
18
M40-44
11
8
9
9
9
17
M45-49
7
7
7
7
9
11
M50-54
5
5
4
5
5
7
M55-59
2
3
3
2
3
4
M60-64
1
2
1
1
1
3
M65-69
1
1
1
1
1
2
M70-74
1
1
1
1
2
M75-79
1
2
MPRO
6
6
4
5
4
9
W18-24
1
1
1
1
1
2
W25-29
3
2
4
2
2
6
W30-34
4
3
3
3
4
6
W35-39
5
4
4
5
3
8
W40-44
4
5
4
3
4
6
W45-49
4
3
3
3
3
4
W50-54
2
2
1
1
2
3
W55-59
1
1
1
1
1
2
W60-64
1
1
1
1
2
W75+
1
WPRO
2
2
3
2
3
6
To see the corresponding finish times and swim/bike/run splits, visit: Kona Qualifying Times.
Allocation methodology as defined by Ironmancenter.com:
At least one Kona slot shall be allocated IN FULL-DISTANCE EVENTS to each five-year age-group category in which any age group athlete sends in an application, both male and female, per the age group categories listed.
Ford Ironman 70.3 California has limited Kona slots available and will allocate them as fairly as possible. Be aware that some age groups may be combined for the allocation of a Kona slot at the sole discretion of the race director. PLEASE CHECK FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON KONA SLOT ALLOCATION AT RACE REGISTRATION.
At least one Clearwater slot shall be allocated in Ironman 70.3 events to each five-year age-group category in which any age group athlete sends in an application, both male and female, per the age group categories listed.
If there are no athletes entered in the race in a particular age group, then that slot will be moved to the largest populated age group in that same gender.
For additional age group slots, slot allocation shall be representative of the actual number of age group applicants in each category in the race.
As an example, if 8% of the age-group applicants are females 40-44, then 8% of these slots would be allocated in the female 40-44 category.
Please note that at 10 percent of Ford Ironman World Championship slots at full-distance events are allocated to Professionals..i.e. 80 qualifying spots, eight are reserved for pros.
Note: All athletes must be present at Hawaii Registration to claim their spot!!!!!
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By Raymond Britt -- The Dahon Speed Pro TT folding bicycle is perfect for traveling triathletes and for those who want a compact, performance bike at the local office for quick rides and remarkably easy and compact storage. This Changes Everything. You'll be amazed. You're going to want one. And you'll have plenty of reasons to do so.
This Changes Everything
The bike can be folded down in less than 15 seconds, and with a little hex wrench work on the handlebars, it's completely collapsed to approximately 30" x 15" x 20" in less than a minute. [see folding instructions and photos here.]
Separate the wheels from the frame, and you can pack the whole bike inside Dahon's Airporter Mini suitcase. Take the bike on your next trip, no extra baggage fees.
This changes everything. It's huge. It opens up a completely new set of training possibilities. Now you can take a performance bike almost anywhere -- to the office, on business trips, on vacation.
I wish this bike existed 10 years ago. I traveled all the time. When I had consulting assignments that put me out of town for two or more nights, I often took my bike. I had to go through the routine over and over: disassemble, pack, check as oversized luggage, pay $$, get to destination hotel, unpack the bike, assemble, ride. Reverse steps for the trip home.
And then consider doing the same routine several times per year. It was a huge hassle, expensive, and ultimately a lot of work just to keep up my bike training in the midst of heavy travel periods.
Never again. Wherever you go, you can ride the Dahon. Imagine that. Too good to be true? Not anymore. Amazing.
The Speed Pro TT and Airporter Mini Bike Suitcase
The Dahon Speed Pro TT folding bike we're reviewing, list price $1499, is a high-end performance bike featuring innovative folding technology, solid construction, an efficient 27-speed gearing system, everything you need for a great training ride, anywhere. Here are the bike spec highlights:
Weight 21 lbs/9.7 kg, without pedals
Aerodynamic, light 20" Kinetix Pro wheels, Schwalbe Durano tires, Kinetix Pro V-brakes, and an aluminum SlipStream fork.
SRAM Dual Drive rear hub for 27 speeds, Shimano Ultegra SL derailleur, and Kinetix Pro ultralight V-brakes. SRAM 9-speed cassette, 11-26.
Syntace VRO adjustable handlebar system, Shimano Dual Control ST-4500 3x9 speed shifters and brake levers.
Aluminum Radius VRO handlepost with patented Fusion and V-Clamp technologies.
KA Series frame made of 7005 butted aluminum allow, custom drawn Sonus tubing with patented V-clamp forged hinge. Solid. FSA crankset, Dahon special edition.
Kore I-Beam seatpost, Dahon Turtleneck seatpost clamp under a 228-gram saddle.
The wheels and frame don't exceed 26 inches, but the long handlepost and extreme extended seatpost allow you to fit the bike to roughly the same measurements on your main bike. See the Speed Pro TT compared with my full-sized raving bike, here.
We're also reviewing Dahon's Mini Airporter, listing at $299, the airline-legal bike case. Measuring in at about 64 linear inches, you'll be surprised that it holds a bike. To fit the Speed Pro TT inside, beyond folding the bike, all you need to do is remove the wheels and place them on a protective divider in the case. Strap the bike into place, and you're ready to fly.
Innovations and high quality parts make the Speed Pro TT ride almost like your high-end road or triathlon bike. With the huge benefit of collapsibility and easy transport. That's what makes this the next piece of gear you should consider.
Dahon has many other folding bikes to choose from, and, depending on your needs, they are worth considering. LL Bean carries two models: and entry-level Eco 3, priced at about $369, and the MU-P-8 'urban performance' bike, selling for less that $700 in the catalog. REI also sells Dahon bikes, as well as selected dealers in most major cities. You can find the Speed TT Pro and other Dahon bikes on Amazon.com. Visit Dahon.com for more.
A variety of practical accessories are available for most Dahon bikes, including Biologic iPhone holders, bike racks, stowage/carrying cases, and more.
First Impressions
The initial impression, out of the box, just assembled -- look, feel, performance, wow factor -- is: awesome. I had my local bike shop assemble it, and they were blown away.
A quick comparison comes to mind: Speed TT is like the iPad: you know it's cool, you know triathletes will want one, the thing that needs to be determined is: is there a reason to get it? With the iPad, more than 2 million were sold, and I'm certain many buyers had to jump through the 'can I rationalize getting it?' hoop.
Same with this bike. Initial indications are strong enough that the rationale to get one will be instantly convincing.
Impression after a few early test rides: very impressive. Gearing works well, I can get it to a decent workout speed, 20-22mph.
Handlebars are, on first inspection, interesting. But they took surprisingly little time to get used to. I found myself picturing swapping my profile-design horn/aero bar combo, but decided I'll wait, and stick with the stock bike for the first review. But I could see the flat T2 aero bars working perfectly with the folding design.
Collapses like a dream. Intuitive, innovative, clean fit, immensely impressive. An immediate double-take generator, too. People can't believe it. To a triathlete who is used to breaking down a big bike to travel, this is amazingly convenient.
First impressions confirmed what I had anticipated: Not only is this going to be great for the triathlete who travels on business, but a great case can be made for having one at the office for short mid-day rides. Pull it out for a quick 30-minute spin, clear the head, return to work far more attentive and productive.
Performance
I have been putting the bike to the test under a variety scenarios, from longer weekend rides to short-mid-day 30-minute escapes from the office, and before long, I'll be bringing it to Ironman Lake Placid with me. I won't be racing this year, but I will be riding it all over the course, shooting photos from the race's many beautiful locations.
You'll have many of the same questions I had. Here's what you want to know:
What's it like to ride? Good at speeds up to 22mph and more. Gear changes are flawless, and there's plenty of power in the 11-26 cogset. Out of the saddle, digging in a little for short hills, all solid.
The bars were very comfortable. Location of bars and seat are good to facilitate good weight distribution. Surprisingly so. Unless you look down, you'll find yourself forgetting you're on a bike that fits in a suitcase.
Will it be just like my tri-bike? You don't just get on and hope it's going to be pretty close to your road or triathlon bike. It's not those bikes, it's a collapsible bike with very significant benefits. And there's a trade-off for less frame, higher seat etc. But the net benefits, including transportability, more training time, etc are more than worth it. Really.
Key point, and this is a good thing: you need to work with the bike to get the best performance.
I've got a lot of experience 'working with' innovative products. I have ridden Softride bikes since 1999; too bad they went out of business. I race far better on the beam bike than a traditional bike, and comfort is a real plus for long distance rides. But if your form is bad on the Softride, you'll bounce all over on the beam. The innovation is powerful if you use it right.
With the SPTT, early impression, I'm letting myself learn how to work with the bike. Weight distribution is important. You don't just get out of the saddle and lean into the frame when trying to get a burst of speed or it will creak a bit.
You need to finesse it, remembering that the mid-frame joint is strong but not completely bulletproof. It's not supposed to be. Again, the bike is made to collapse, and to get that benefit, you need to work with the frame.
Same is true with the seat post. If you want to see if it bends under weight (I'm not as light as when I'm in peak racing form, have to admit), sure it moves a little. As does my Softride beam. Again, if you ride with correct form, the seat post remains perfectly in position, and maximum energy is transferred to the pedals.
I've heard some concerns about the brakes, and it's true, they don't stop on a dime. The brakes take a little getting used to, but they're fine. Maybe I'm being a little too forgiving, but I'm wondering if you want to be able to stop on a dime with a bike this small. I can see going over the handle bars if it were to stop cold.
So I'm learning to get the most out of the braking system as it is. And I'm not trying to ride fast into intersections or situations that might require an instant stop.
But the bike is doing everything I expected it to do, and more. Excellent.
Advantage: Dahon
Let’s start with the example of this year’s Ironman Lake Placid, set to take place on July 25. Lake Placid is an outstanding and intensely popular race. At this point, nearly 3100 triathletes are listed as registered participants. Nearly 3100. Clearly a record field.
The 3100 triathletes have been training for months, and are now moving into the final, critical weeks before the race. They need to do everything they can to find a competitive edge before race day. Can they?
Can they train more? Maybe not. As always, priorities matter: family first, work next, and whatever’s reasonably left over can be training time. For me, that is usually around 7 to 8 hours per week. Not much.
Is it possible that they may have to train even less? For most triathletes, business success involves an expanding commitment to longer hours in the office and more days traveling on the road.
Put the two together, the scenario is common: limited training time, and the priority of work is ever more likely to restrict training opportunities. That's where this bike comes in.
The Dahon folding bike can give triathletes a new edge over the competition: take it anywhere, ride anywhere, ride anytime you can find the break. What used to be a wasted hour or two of downtime on the road can now become riding time.
It's this simple: having one means you can get more training done without cutting into family or work time.
From now on, there will be two types of traveling triathletes: a) those who bring a Dahon folding bike, and can ride 15, 25, even 35 miles after dinner (or instead of it) and b) those who don't ride at all. Guess which triathlete will be faster on race day?
In short, the Dahon Speed Pro TT gives more training time that you never thought you had. It turns down time into ride time. And every triathlete wants that extra edge . . .
Crossing that finish line, getting the half marathon finisher's medal. The medal is everything; you'll know what I mean when you get there. The pain and suffering, the challenges, the cursing . . . all is forgotten, temporarily, when they put that medal around your neck.
Know this: every single runner -- from elite to complete amateur -- at one point in their lives considered running a half marathon completely and utterly impossible; even ridiculous. 13.1 miles. Who can do that? You. Join the Club. Be Epic. Start here.
Dahon Speed Pro TT folding bicycle is perfect for traveling triathletes and for those who want a compact, performance bike at the local office for quick rides and remarkable compact storage. You'll be amazed. You're going to want one. And you'll have plenty of reasons to do so.
The Dahon folding bike can give triathletes a new edge over the competition: take it anywhere, ride anywhere, ride anytime you can find the break. What used to be a wasted hour or two of downtime on the road can now become riding time. It's this simple: having one means you can get more training done without cutting into family or work time.
There will be two types of traveling triathletes: a) those who bring a Dahon folding bike, and can ride 15, 25, even 35 miles after dinner (or instead of it) and b) those who don't ride at all. Guess which triathlete will be faster on race day?
In short, the Dahon Speed Pro TT gives more training time that you never thought you had. It turns down time into ride time. And every triathlete wants that extra edge . . .
Photos below compare and contrast the Speed Pro TT (the smaller bike, naturally) with my Softride PowerWing 650 racing bike. Yes, I favor high-tech, innovative bikes.
When I signed up for my first Ironman triathlon, I had never completed any distance longer than a marathon or an Olympic Distance triathlon. I had a long way to go to get in shape for a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 marathon that I expected to take me 12 hours or more.
My training plan for that first Ironman was based on steadily increasing challenges on a monthly basis to build endurance, both distance and time. A training marathon could keep me going for under four hours, a century ride could take six hours or more. But how to experience a longer endurance challenge?
The answer, for me, was the Ultramarathon, a running event that goes beyond the standard 26.2 mile marathon, naturally. The distances can include 50k (31 miles), 50 mile, 100k and 100 mile. The courses tend to be off-road, on trails that are shared with mountain bikes and horses.
My first 50k, in the Arizona desert and mountains, took more than 6 hours. It was exhilarating to have run farther and longer than ever in my life, and I still felt good at the end. A 50 mile run two months later on a Wisconsin trail left by melting glaciers during the Ice Age took nearly nine hours, again a time and distance breakthrough.
The success in these events as part of my Ironman training helped me finish my first Ironman triathlon two months after the 50-mile run in less than 12 hours, ahead of my goal.
The North Face Endurance Challenge
Ten years later, the North Face has created perhaps the first of its kind: a five race cross-country series of ultramarathon races culminating in a National Championship in San Francisco. This series is similar in structure and format to what NA Sports (formerly Ironman North America) has put in place over the years: several North American events, with slots available for the World Championship in Kona.
The North Face Endurance challenge, featuring 50-mile and 50k trail ultramarathons, takes place in Washington DC, Des Moines, Hartford, Seattle and San Francisco. I raced the first event in Washington DC on August 4, and, comparing it to my Ironman race days, noticed several similarities in the experience that triathletes might relate to. Of course, there are dramatic differences, too. That’s part of the adventure.
5am Start
In the same way that triathletes quietly make last minute adjustments in transition before the dawn of race day, ultramarathers quietly waited for the 5am start in Great Falls National Park, in McLean Virginia. In the otherwise pitch black forest, a bright light showered the starting area with enough illumination for last minute instructions for the runners. Notably: the trail would be marked with small pink and orange ribbons clipped to branches on trees every few hundred meters or so.
The horn sounded at about 5am, and we quickly the light of the starting area was behind us. We were off into the darkness. And I was unprepared for it.
At home in Chicago, I had been used to 5am training rides with the run on the rise. I expected the same for this race, and therefore didn’t remotely think of bringing a flashlight. But in the pitch darkness, it was a necessity.
Thankfully, other better-prepared runners brought headlamps, so I made it a point to stay near them. I followed their every step, with a vigilant eye on the dim glow their headlamps provided on rocky and unpredictable trail that had the potential to trip you up at any moment. Remember, this was off-road.
Because of the unique terrain, at least for this asphalt-preferring runner, and the limited light, I had to quickly learn to see with my feet. Each step could be at a different angle (rock vs flat), a different density (mud vs. dry), and you need to be prepared. But after a while, you learn to run lightly, and most adjustments become second nature.
Early on, it occurred to me that this sensation of running in the dark, with limited visibility, and seemed very similar to the open water swim in an Ironman.
Two weeks earlier, I had started the Ironman USA Lake Placid in Mirror Lake with 2200 other athletes. For the first quarter of the race, I was swimming nearly blind, with all the swimmers and commotion around me. I never saw a buoy, just dark water as I looked down, and splashing on the surface as I turned to take a breath.
But similar to this ultramarathon, I decided the best way to continue calmly was to lock onto a swimmer ahead of me, and simply follow them. In the water of Mirror Lake, I blindly trusted the athlete(s) in front of me to be heading in the right direction, and I settled in for a calm swim. On the trail, I also trusted the pack in front of me to be navigating the trail – spotting those ribbons – in the dark. Thankfully, they did a terrific job.
Also, the potential and likelihood of being whacked unintentionally by a swimmer in the Ironman seemed similar to the chance of tripping over a rock or an unexpected root, (which actually happened to me after about seven miles on the trail). As in the Ironman swim, you shake it off, and keep going.
The first part of the North Face 50-miler was on a trail called Difficult Run. In the dark, it was hard to see the difficulty, but you could feel it. Following the human running peloton, we ran up, down, sideways, around trees, jumped over muddy sections, and along running water.
After an hour running to the turnaround of this trail, the sun was beginning to rise, sending a glow through the forest. On the way back to the start, with some daylight, we were able to see both the challenge and beauty of the course. This also seemed similar to an Ironman swim, in that things become clearer in the water in the second half, and you can settle into a groove.
For me, the Ironman swim is a warmup for the rest of the day on the bike and run. And finishing the first leg of the race, at 13 miles or so, I felt the same way. It was about 7am, I felt comfortable, almost as if I hadn’t been running much at all. That’s how I wanted it to be at this time, 25% through the race. I was ready to take on the rest of the course as the sun rose.
Better yet, the sun illuminated spectacular views of the Great Falls and the Potomac river. One of the most enjoyable parts of an ultramarathon can be the terrain the course follows. Nothing like regular concrete marathon courses, ultramarathons take you places you’re glad you got to see. You pass landmarks like the Great Falls, the water’s edge of the Potomac, and experience the silence of the forest, and you forget you’re running. You’re experiencing beauty in nature.
The Fun Miles
My favorite part of the Ironman is the first three hours on the bike. You feel fresh, reasonably fast, and the ride is pure fun. The same can be true on an ultramarathon course.
The next twelve or so miles to the next turnaround were through horse trails – some under construction – along the Potomac, and then out through the woods on a golf course.
The course along this route was described as ‘somewhat scenic’ meaning gently undulating. This is not necessarily a bad thing. My experience in ultramarathons is that so many different leg muscles are recruited while covering the terrain, that a good balance results, almost allowing you to run further because of the distribution of work across those muscles.
A natural part of an ultramarathon course, due to the occasional challenge of clearly marking a course through the woods, is the opportunity to enjoy the fun of being lost, or, in nicer terms, lacking appropriate direction.
At about the seventeen mile point (it’s impossible to be sure; there are no mile markers, and that’s fine by me), in the area of a steep incline with the trail heading three different directions, not a marker was in sight. The adventure at this point included trying each of the three trails, and still not finding the way.
Other runners arrived, and we all searched, to no avail for a few minutes. But we knew where the course was generally heading, so we finally marched through the thicket and rocks in that direction, occasionally getting trapped in muddy muck at the water’s edge.
We quickly found the trail again, and resumed running toward the 25 mile point turnaround.
Time Flies; You Don’t
In order to run an ultramarathon, you need to forget how you usually run marathons in the same way it’s unwise to completely hammer the bike leg in an Ironman. In both cases, you need to alter your effort to complete a longer journey.
Running an ultramarathon is an exercise in patience, as is racing an Ironman. In an ultramarathon, I don’t focus on time at all; I just run at a comfortable pace, in what I like to describe as a Forever Gear. Forever Gear is a pace at which, at least during the middle miles of an ultramarathon, I feel as if I can run forever. Find that pace, and lock it in. The time may fly, you don’t have to. Just run at a pace that works. And that’s not your normal marathon pace.
In fact, it can be about the same pace you take onto the Ironman marathon course. I ran a relatively easy 4:07 marathon at Ironman Lake Placid two weeks earlier, and reached the 25 mile point on the North Face course after about four and a half hours.
In 50-mile runs during my first few Ironman years, I’d reach the half-way point suffering, after going out too fast. This time, a goal of mine was to feel no pain at 25. Mission accomplished. Just 25 miles to go.
When It Gets Tough
Not that it doesn’t get tough as the miles wear on. As a triathlete, you know what it’s like. The day wears on, the sun rises, the muscles start to ache, and you look for ways to stay in the game.
The same is true in the ultramarathon, and there are ways to feel better. First, it’s ok to walk in an ultra, as often as you need to. Just as walking at certain points during a triathlon run course is an approach to regroup and keep going forward, the same is true in an ultra.
Walking can be a strategy, too, particularly on uphill climbs. No need to sprint up a hill, sapping energy. Instead, power-walk it, conserving energy. On a long day, you need it.
Second, the aid stations in an ultra can be fantastic. They tend to be further apart – about every five miles in the NF 50 – but often that’s determined by logistics. Where you’re running if often not the easiest place to locate an aid table.
But when you get there, treats await. Cans of de-fizzed soda, jelly beans for fast sugar, potato slices for complex carbs, pretzels for salt, plenty of Accelerade. I needed more and more fueling later in the ultra, and I would drink two cans of cola and eat the potatoes, standing there, in no rush. Take your time, get what you need. Move on when you’re ready.
Returning along the Potomac, and once again navigating the challenging but short area where we got lost earlier, the miles were piling up. But I was alone, and realized that I had been alone for several hours.
It’s the nature of many ultramarathons, which tend to include dozens, maybe a couple hundred runners, rather than two thousand racers, as in Ironman. Over the course of a long day, the field stretches out, and you can go long ways before seeing another runner. In those later miles, from 25 to 37, it seemed the only people I saw for more than a few moments were 50k runners, sharing the same course.
Are We There Yet?
Reaching the start/finish area after about 8 and a half hours and 37 miles, it was clear that I was having a slow run. Before seeing the course, and not factoring in the 98 degree heat and humidity, I had unrealistically hoped that I’d be finishing at about this time. But as I said earlier: time flies, you don’t. You take what the day brings you.
With 13 miles to go, after an aid station stop, I ran out for the final loop of the course, a repeat of the first loop that began the day, on Difficult Run Trail.
I have to admit, after nearly nine hours running in the heat, you begin hoping it will end soon. Just like the middle miles of a triathlon run, when there’s still plenty of course left to go. All you can do at that point is keep going.
And as I reentered the Difficult Run trail in full daylight, I could finally appreciate how the trail got its name. While it undoubtedly is not the most foreboding ultra trail anyone’s ever seen, it did not look easy. Uphills, downhills, sideways, mud, everything I felt and ran through in the early morning was now in plain view.
I was shocked at how easily we had navigated that trail in the dark several hours earlier. Step after step, I could see obstacles that could have so easily tripped us up in the dark. The teamwork made the difference, running together, protecting each other. This time, I was moving much slower, and the rocks and tree roots were no threat.
The distance was becoming the challenge, and I was feeling worse and worse. I was running out of ways to combat an oncoming struggle that I had hoped to avoid. I took time at the mile 41 aid station, walked as much as I needed, to no apparent avail.
Rebound
But then it happened, as if often does in endurance events: a sudden turnaround. Out of nowhere, the body feels better, the spirit rebounds, the excitement to pursue the finish returns. It’s a perpetual reminder, each time it happens, of the benefits of perseverance.
The lesson also applies to everyday life: persevere, and you can find success on the other end. It’s one of my favorite parts of my endurance experience over the years. The ability to break through challenges and find the Other Side.
And it’s why I love endurance racing, whether it’s running or triathlon. It’s all about moving forward, working it out, getting better, learning something new about yourself, earning success on your own terms.
Finish With A Smile
Refreshed and energized, I began running faster and almost breezily, feeling the finish line approaching. At mile 49, the trail meandered to a rocky ledge over the Potomac, offering a breathtaking, if perhaps a too adventurous and precarious view for runners on enthusiastic but admittedly wobbly legs.
Passing the last brilliant scene on the course, I headed toward the finish, ten hours and thirty-some minutes after I had begun. Time didn’t matter, finishing with a smile did.
Most importantly, as far as my triathlon season is concerned, it was a great training day, with relatively little wear and tear on my body.
Something totally different, and fun. That’s what I think the North Face is trying to do: make ultramarathons more accessible to endurance athletes.
You don’t have to run 50 miles; 50k is an available option, and it might be better as a first event. Go ahead: try one.
The Dahon Speed Pro TT folding bike we're reviewing is a high-end performance bike, featuring innovative folding technology, solid construction, an efficient 27-speed gearing system, everything you need for a great training ride, anywhere.
To show what we mean, on a recent ride we took photos of the bike, in action.
This is what the bike looks like at 24mph, from the rider's perspective: the smooth blur of speed on aerodynamic, light Kinetix Pro wheels, Schwalbe Durano tires, Kinetix Pro V-brakes, and an aluminum SlipStream fork.
And the rear view, below . . . Fast. SRAM Dual Drive rear hub for 27 speeds, Shimano Ultegra SL derailleur, and Kinetix Pro ultralight V-brakes. SRAM 9-speed cassette, 11-26.
Syntace VRO adjustable handlebar system, Shimano Dual Control ST-4500 3x9 speed shifters and brake levers.
Aluminum Radius VRO handlepost with patented Fusion and V-Clamp technologies.
KA Series frame made of 7005 butted aluminum allow, custom drawn Sonus tubing with patented V-clamp forged hinge. Solid. FSA crankset, Dahon special edition.
Kore I-Beam seatpost, Dahon Turtleneck seatpost clamp under a 228-gram saddle.
Innovations and high quality parts make the Speed Pro TT ride almost like your high-end road or triathlon bike. With the huge benefit of collapsibility and easy transport. That's what makes this the next piece of gear you should consider.
Good 30 minute ride today between meetings. The bike feels quite good at speeds up to 22mph. Out of the saddle, digging in a little for short hills, all solid.
The bars were very comfortable. Location is good to facilitate good weight distribution.
Key point, and this is a good thing: you need to work with the bike to get the best performance. You don't just get on and hope it's going to be pretty close to your road or triathlon bike.
It's not those bikes, it's a collapsable bike with very significant benefits. And there's a trade-off for less frame, higher seat etc. But the net benefits, including transportability, more training time, etc are more than worth it.
I've got a lot of experience 'working with' innovative products. I have ridden Softride bikes since 1999; too bad they went out of business. I race far better on the beam bike than a traditional bike, and comfort is a real plus for long distance rides. But if your form is bad, you'll bounce all over on the beam. The innovation is powerful if you use it right.
Same with the Vasa Ergometer indoor swimming machine. Does it let you mimic swimming in water perfectly? No. But you can get great training in a fairly similar stroke without leaving your home or spending $20,000 for an endless pool. I trained entirely on my VE before my most recent Ironman Triathlons. I gave up worrying about swimming in water (I hate water), and raced just as well.
Separately, I've played Steinberger headless, graphite composite neck guitars for 23 years. It doesn't sound like a Les Paul immediately because it doesn't have the meaty wood to sustain the sound. But it has a different, also wonderful, sustain, and you need to find it.
With the SPTT, early impression, I'm letting myself learn how to work with the bike. Weight distribution is important. You don't just get out of the saddle and lean into the frame when trying to get a burst of speed or it will creak a bit. You need to finesse it, remembering that the mid-frame joint is strong but not completely bulletproof. It's not supposed to be. Again, the bike is made to collapse, and to get that benefit, you need to work with the frame.
Same is true with the seat post. If you want to see if it bends under weight (I'm not as light as when I'm in peak racing form, have to admit), sure it moves a little. As does my Softride beam. Again, if you ride with correct form, the seatpost remains perfectly in position, and maximum energy is transferred to the pedals.
I've read about the brakes, and it's true, you don't stop on a dime. Maybe I'm being a little too forgiving, but I'm wondering if you want to be able to stop on a dime with a bike this small. I can see going over the handle bars if it were to stop cold. So I'm learning to get the most out of the braking system as it is. And I'm not trying to ride fast into intersections or situations that might require an instant stop.
But the bike is doing everything I expected it to do, and more. Excellent.
The initial impression, out of the box (see Specs below), just assembled -- look, feel, performance, wow factor -- is: awesome.
A quick comparison comes to mind: Speed TT is like the iPad: you know it's cool, you know triathletes will want one, the thing that needs to be determined is: is there a reason to get it? With the iPad, more than 2 million were sold, and I'm certain many buyers had to jump through the 'can I rationalize getting it?' hoop.
Same with this bike. Initial indications are strong enough that the rationale to get one will be instantly convincing.
Impression after a few early test rides: very impressive. Gearing works well, I can get it to a decent workout speed, 20-22mph.
Handlebars are, well, interesting. May take a little getting used to, but it works well so far. I find myself picturing swapping my profile-design horn/aerobar combo, but I'll wait, and stick with the stock bike for the first review. I can see the flat T2 aerobars working perfectly with the folding design. We'll see.
Collapses like a dream. Intuitive, innovative, clean fit, immensely impressive. An immediate double-take generator, too. People can't believe it. To a triathlete who is used to breaking down a big bike to travel, this is amazingly convenient.
Not only is this going to be great for the triathlete who travels on business, but a great case can be made for having one at the office for short mid-day rides. Pull it out for a quick 30-minute spin, clear the head, return to work far more attentive and productive.
Specifications
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1
30" - 131"
Min: 560 mm (21.8") Max: 645 mm (25.2")
Min: 650 mm (25.4") Max: 880 mm (34")
39 x 77 x 62 cm (15.2" x 30" x 24.2")
30 sec
9.7 kg (21.4 lb)
142 - 193 cm (4'8" - 6'4")
105 kg (230 lb)
KA Series, 7005 butted aluminum alloy, custom-drawn Sonus tubing, patented V-Clamp forged hinge w/ GreaseFlow technology
