time spent in aero bars
Hi All. I'm relatively new to formal cycling and triathlon training so I have a somewhat basic question: Is spending too much time in the aero bars bad?
This past 6 months is the first time in my life I have done structured bike workouts. For the entire OS and now the HIM plan I have done all my bike tests, all the FTP and most of the ABP and pretty much all the VO2 stuff in the aero position on my TT bike (mostly on the trainer). Yesterday I did the Sunday 2hr ABP ride outside and 90% was in my aero bars. It seemed to me that it would be best to keep the workouts as specific to triathlon/TT as possible. No problems for me so far in terms of overuse injuries aches/pains etc.
However, on the internets there are some people who say that spending too much time in the aero position can lead to various muscle imbalance syndromes (upper and lower crossed imbalances). Yikes!
So, should I be spending more time on my road bike? (I have powermeters on both my bikes so that is not any issue for me). I realize this might not be the right time to shift toward the road bike as my A race is getting closer and even the aero naysayers recommend more aerobar time closer to the race. But what parts of the HIM plan are better spent on a road bike, if any? Looking beyond my A race to the rest of the summer, when (if at all) should I be putting miles in on the road bike?
Thanks!
Comments
Indoors = most of my riding road style. I have a hard time staying comfortable in the aero position on a trainer.
Outdoors = 99% riding in the aerobars.
My weekday shorter rides are all done indoors so it's roadie style. The weekly long ride is on the tri bike.
It's not necessary to do all your riding in the aero position. It's necessary to be comfortable and well trained in that position though. I would do just about all your long rides on your tri bike.
Not a bad thing, though many people enjoy riding their road bike when they are not "training" for a race, as a road bike can generally be more general purpose and feel less like work. But ~12wks out from your goal race it's a good idea to put the roadie away and lock yourself on the aerobars.
Satish - I don't know anything about the biomechanics involved. But ever since 2000, I've ridden at least 2000 miles a year on my TT bike in aero position mostly. I have a "road" bike, which is actually a touring/commuting bike (slacker geometry than a racer), which at this point is LESS comfortable to me than riding my TT on the bars. I suspect those who are talking about riding one day a week or less and worried about imbalances are road cyclists, racers, who need to be most concerned about how they do when riding a dropbar bike. It may be true, that riding a TT bike constantly messes a bit with your ability to be comfortable and effective on a road bike. But if you're a triathlete and not a roadie, don't worry about it. Follow Rich's advice.
Cycling has so many sub-cultures, all of whom seem to look down on each other: fixies, commuters, recumbents, Mtn Bikers, roadies, triathletes, randonneurs, etc etc. We all need to roll on each others' wheels a while, sometimes.
When tri season is over I put my powermeter onto my road bike, and I ride my road bike for a few months. But for OS and in-season tri training, it's all tri bike and all in the bars!!
Bottomline: if you are going to race on your tri bike, at some time you gotta get your body used to it. As you can see, there are a bunch of different techniques....now you just have to find the one that works for you.
Thanks everyone! I have been trying to maximize the aerobars time because it intuitively made sense. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't making some horrible mistake.
Thanks everyone! I have been trying to maximize the aerobars time because it intuitively made sense. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't making some horrible mistake.