Home› General Training Discussions

bike fit and power

gilliattgilliatt
in General Training Discussions

 Doing the TTbikefit thing w/ Todd right now, he likes where I am now as far as angles go.  I'm in the January OS and we are now in the second week of 2x20s.  Last week prior to switching anything I was over my week 1 FTP like 301/306.   Switching positions has messed me up the last two bike workouts I've been unable to finish as I completely bonk.  I've been getting enough sleep feeling generally pretty decent, watching my diet.  I'm not feeling bad doing other stuff  So I don't think it is something physiological.  How long do I need to try this new position for before I adapt to it or need to switch it up?  Please give me your input on how to make this switch.  I'll get to try this new position outside in a three weeks in Tucson.  

Comments

  • jhansen21jhansen21
    Dan, I went through this with Todd last year. My power numbers went down after the change, but I definitely got faster because I was more aero. I moved from a comfortable position (more upright) that could generate some great power to an aggressive aero position that led to less power generation, but I was much more "slippery" through the air. Ultimately I was expending less energy but moving faster - isn't that the goal?

    Don't worry about the watts with this change in position, my friend, especially while riding indoors. Once you get outside in that new position you'll be able to tell if it is right for you - are you able to ride from point A to point B faster? It shouldn't be about the kind of power you can generate over that distance. Also, keep in mind your level of comfort in that new position while factoring in your race goals - can you put up with a little discomfort to ride faster or is comfort more important than being a few minutes faster on your bike split?
  • manconamancona
    Dan, I would give it at least a few weeks. Todd know what he is doing.

    I went through something similar just recently. During, the first week after a change to my seat height I couldn't complete workouts that I was doing the week before. Second week, I made it through but it was a total suffer fest and third week I was back to normal. I did see some gains in FTP another week or two later but that is probably partially due to the new position and also the workouts.

    So my n=1 is that it took me three weeks to adapt.

    Jim is right though, if you are more aero, most likely it is well worth a small drop in power as you will gain much more in free speed.
  • Bob IrwinBob Irwin

    When Todd changed my position last year, it was a big enough change that I decided to move in stages.  That worked well for me.  I also seem to have trouble on the trainier.  A position that is fine outside is torture on the trainer - doesn't make sense, but ...

  • gilliattgilliatt
    Kind of what I figured, I'll give it a few weeks. I have an FTP test coming up next week, I'll ask in the coaches forum what to do. I can tell it just feels awkward and not smooth (yet). My muscles just gotta figure out how to move in this position.
  • mariannemarianne
    not with Todd but I got a bike fit early September and it took all of Sept and October to feel natural on it... and then one ride, we finally felt as one machine! my purpose of riding became to adapt to the bike fit or tweak the parts! but a good time of year to do it! congrats. m
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    what everyone else said...give it time...hard to see the results now, but you will be faster!
Sign In or Register to comment.