|
|
ironguides: Biggest mistakes made by Triathletes: Part 2 - Road bike VS Tri-bike
By Vinnie Santana
2/25/2009 |
|
|
Check out Part 1 here...
Bikes! They are by far the sexiest equipment in our sport. A triathlete can have legit excuses to have at least 6 different bikes, a Mountain Bike for fun and XTerras, a road bike for base training (see below!), a triathlon training bike, a triathlon racing bike (you keep all shining and with the best parts, for racing only!), a bike for commuting to work or around town and a bike for the terrible winter weather, and I’m not considering track, BMX, beach cruiser, Downhill or what ever people are riding these days.
I will leave the hobby of collecting bikes out of this article (I know, I love them too!); let's keep it simple and discuss a very traditional idea that I come across very often. Let's stick to the “road bike VS tri bike” debate, since I get questions on that from most of my athletes.
Basically the idea came from the professional bike racers that eventually do a major TT race and train specifically for them for a few weeks. Don’t forget that those guys are riding 20 hours a week, so they have time to adapt to the new position and TT is usually not their main events anyway.
Now back to you, the average age grouper, with a job, a family and limited hours in the saddle. Why should you stick to only the tri-bike and ditch the road bike?
1) Core Strength: Considering your bike fit on the tri-bike is more “aggressive” than on the road bike, you want to make sure that your lower back, neck and shoulders, won’t complain on race day. If you only do a certain amount of hours on the tri-bike, this could not be long enough to get used with the different position, this is why you see so many athletes out of their aerobars on flat stretches in the final kilometers on race day - they are just not used to that position.
2) Specific leg Strength: First there are technical aspects such as crank arm length or gearing. Are you sure you are using the same parts on both bikes? Think what would happen if you train on 170mm cranks (road racing standard), then switch to 175 (TT standard) before a race. Your legs are used with a certain motor skill pattern, it takes months to adjust that, you will lose the feel for the bike which is related to performance.
The geometry (angles) also play a huge influence on how your legs do the work, if you are riding “slack”, sitting in a traditional road racing geometry (~73º) you are using totally different muscles than the usual Time Trial position (~78º), and switching that only a few weeks before the race, won’t be enough to get stronger in the new position.
3) Handling: Do road bikes handle better than tri-bikes in downhills or sharp turns? Of course! The center of gravity is sitting on the back wheel, the less weight you put on the front wheel, the better handling you get. On the tri-bike, there is a better distribution and there is a greater pressure on the front wheel, which can be trickier to handle. But if you don’t practice it, you won’t ever learn how to descend fast on a tri-bike.
Just as an example, I remember when I was living with Reinaldo Colucci (Olympian and 8h29 Ironman), he was racing world cups with his Cervelo P3, in the same geometry that he did all his training all year around.
The only exception for this is if your main races are super hilly and technical, such as Alp D’Huez Triathlon, Ironman Nice, Monaco 70.3, etc. Then the article remains the same, just switch the words “tri-bike” for “road bike”.
So if your wife (or husband!) is complaining you have too many bikes, your garage is getting full or you wouldn’t mind a few extra hundred dollars, don’t think twice, get rid of your road bike and stick to the tri-bike for every training session. We are the leading lifestyle facilitation company in triathlon in all terms, keep things simple and race faster!
Vinnie
http://www.ironguides.net
* * * Your best is our business.™ * * *
******************************************************************
ironguides is the leading Lifestyle Facilitation company for athletes of all abilities. We provide coaching and training services, plans and programs, as well training education, health and fitness products to help you learn and live a healthy lifestyle. Come get fit with one of our monthly training subscriptions, event-specific training plans, coaching services, a Tour de France bike tour or a triathlon training camp in an exotic location! ironguides also provides Corporate Health services including Corporate Triathlons, Healthy Living retreats and speaking engagements. At ironguides, your best is our business!
Join ironFolks, ironguides social network where you can connect, prepare, share a laugh and enjoy the promotions from ironguides growing list of sponsors!
Learn more about ironguides' unique training approach at ironguides.net under one of the following links:
• About Us
• Coaching
• Training Plans starting from $45
• Subscription Programs starting from $39/month
• Training Camps - train and learn The Method
• Monthly Conference Call $20 - join ironguides as we examine topics crucial to becoming your best
ironguides.net :: Your best is our business.™
|
| Back to Listings |
|
