ITU World Cup Results from Mazatlan

(as reported in Trisport News)
Sunday, 24th April 2005

The German duo of Frodeno and Petzold wearing an innovative pedal adopted for their running shoes were the first out of transition.

Transition platforms are not the same as toe clips. They have a carbon fiber footbed, straps, a heel gripper and they clip into your pedals. You can attach whatever cleat you are using to the Platforms. This allows you to wear your running shoes while biking. The theory is that they save time in transition, since the time saving of not changing footwear far outweighs any slight loss of pedal power using the Platforms.

  Keep the following points in mind in deciding whether or not transition platforms are for you.

 ·        How hilly is the race?                                                                                                                                                                                  Platforms are more effective on flat or rolling courses. Why is this? However good your platforms are, you are bound to lose a bit of power in the pedal stroke compared to bike shoes. On a flat to undulating course, the difference is minimal. If you often find yourself out of the saddle climbing, then traditional bike shoes might be better.  

 ·        How fast are my transitions?                                                                                                                                                                            
If your total T1 and T2 times are in the 3 minute plus range, then definitely the savings of a minute plus by using transition platforms is very realistic. If your total transition times are around a minute 20 seconds then is the 10 seconds savings per transition relevant? If you find that your age group placing is affected by these few seconds, then Platforms make sense. At that level of competition there is also the psychological benefit of pulling into T2 with someone in your age group, jumping off the bike and getting a 10 second or so jump on them.

 ·        Can I mount and dismount my bike with my bike shoes clipped into the pedals?   

 If so, Platforms work the same way, and you save one shoe change, two in duathlons. But if you are like the majority, you clip out of your pedals and run through transition with your bike shoes on, then you can do exactly the same with platforms. The difference being:

1.      Your runners are already in your Platforms at T1 during a triathlon if you don’t have them mounted on your pedals.

2.      It is easier, less slippery and therefore safer to run in Platforms than bike shoes especially on pavement or cobblestones.

3.      One pull of the strap in T2 and you are out and running, very fast compared to removing your bike shoes and putting on runners. This dismount is very easy even for beginners, or clip out if this makes you more comfortable.

As with anything related to triathlon transitions, practice before you race.

We Remember Benny Vansteelant

Benny Vansteelant (November 19, 1976 - September 14, 2007) was a Belgian duathlete. He was the icon of its sport for the last decade. He was born in Torhout.

On September 8, 2007, Vansteelant was hit by a car during training. He suffered a broken leg, facial injuries, a torn spleen and damage to lungs and heart. In the days after the accident, Vansteellant appeared to be improving, and was getting close to leaving the intensive care section of the hospital in Roeselare on September 13. But one day later Vansteelant suffered cardiac arrest. Even though Vansteelant received CPR in time, he died in the early morning. The specific cause of the heart attack was a pulmonary embolism.

Four Time ITU (International Triathlon Union) Champion, Benny Vansteelant says: "I have tested Pyro Pedals in training and during competition and I’m impressed with their performance. In all circumstances the results are superior to the transition pedals I used previously. … The Pyro- pedals provide good support and control, without constricting the foot's blood supply or tendons.
It also eliminates the need to change pedals for different shoes. I have 2 different kinds of competition shoes and adjust the pedals for each shoe. Even climbing works well with the Pyro-pedals.”

Greetings, Benny"

Graham White, a Duathlon Age Grouper, says:

“I have been using Pyro Platforms for five years and have been very happy with them. They are light, stiff, comfortable, easy to adjust and I believe save over a minute in a duatlon. The time saving is increased if you have a long run from transition to the cycle course as running in racing shoes is much faster and more comfortable
than either barefoot or cycle shoes (especially Look cleats!)
 

I have used Pyro’s successfully for triathlon as well. I have used Pyro’s in local races, national championships and world championships all without problems. They are at their best on flat fast courses as if you (like me) grind on hills out of the saddle or ride on very rough roads then your feet have a tendency to slip out of the heel grips. This is soon solved however. You do lose some power with platforms but this is only really noticeable on steep hills.
I would strongly recommend them as an alternative. You must, however practise in them before a major race to make sure they are suitable for that race”