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Ian Dewar's Journal
Kona Transition Testing
posted by id* at 11:07 AM on October 12, 2007
With one week to go before the Ironman World Championships we landed in Kona with 7 brand new Transitions and a week to test and demo them before the race. So we did the first thing that came to mind – we suited up and went out on the Queen K for a 30 mile ride. The new Transition was designed with long course triathlon in mind so it’s no wonder that the bike was immediately comfortable. We rode the S-Works Transition – complete with a Zipp Vuka aerobar, SRAM Force components and Zipp 404 clincher wheels.
A quick set up was easily achieved because of the adjustable seat-post set up which allows you to place your seat anywhere from 10cm behind the BB to 5cm in front. Once I had the seat in the right position we rolled north on the Queen K. With a 1” steer tube the narrow front end cuts the wind and with a super-stiff bottom bracket there is no power transfer loss as we accelerated up some of the short climbs out of town.
I really enjoyed riding this bike and felt like I was able to get comfortable on it almost immediately. The Vuka aerobar offers more drop then I typically ride with, but I was able to get very comfortable on it. The s-bend extensions offered multiple hand positions and mine were cut down about an inch from their original length offering just the right length for shifting while in the aero position. The new SRAM carbon shifter are an excellent addition to the market for aero shifters and not only do the look great – the carbon finish looks awesome – they work great. I feel like I can shift with the same tension all the way up and down vs. a Shimano shifter that gets progressively tighter as the cable is pulled. The SRAM derailleurs worked perfectly and I have been very impressed with SRAM Force from the first time I rode it. This bike will come with SRAM Red when it is released for sale.
Back to the Transition frame and fork. This bike was designed from the ground up over three years with a lot of input from 3-time Ironman World Champion Peter Reid, and it shows. The bike is designed to have a very stiff front end and bottom-bracket while retaining vertical compliance and a comfortable ride. Once down in the aero position the carbon seat stays literally absorb the road vibration and kept me super-comfortable for the whole ride. I made some quick adjustments on the road (seat position) to see how I would feel more forward and riding this bike in an aggressive forward position feels great and still allows for a very comfortable ride. I’ve been out for three separate rides now on this bike and love the way it rides as both an aero bike and as a comfortable bike.
The key for me in triathlon racing and aerodynamic riding is staying in my aero position for the longest time possible and the Transition is exceptional in that regard since it leaves me feeling comfortable the whole time on the bike.
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