Road Bike Power vs. Tri Bike Power
I'm lucky enough to have a road bike and a tri bike finally. I have a PT wheel that I share between the two. Does anyone have thoughts on training on one vs the other? I have a feeling that my FTP would be higher on the road bike, however I haven't tested that. It feels like I could make more watts in that position though.
I suppose it's probably best to ride the bike I'd race on more often (the tri bike) but I do appriciate the road bike when riding with others.
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FWIW I do all intervals on my road bike inside on my Computertrainer, but use the tri bars, and all other rides I use my TT bike. A few weeks ago I tested on the CT inside (obviously) in the tri bars on my road bike, then a week later I tested outside on my TT bike. I was really pumped for both tests so I think the results are indicative. My outside TT bike was 225 watts whereas the inside CT power was 219 watts (I used my powertap to measure both results).
A couple of moths ago, I did a big bike week and started on my road bike (outside). After a couple of days I switched to my TT bike because I found the road bike was so uncomfortable. I suppose because I am always in the TT position, I now find the road bike hard to ride.
Cheers
Peter
1. Yes, you can generate more power on the road than the TT bike. But the reduced drag from the more aero TT position more than overcomes the power disadvantage, so you'll go faster on the TT bike with less "effort".
2. The decision about which bike to use should be practical and race based. Practical - if it's fun to ride on the road bike, and you'll get out more, or get to ride with faster people who push you, then by all means, get out on the road. But when you are starting to hone in on race day (12 weeks out from HIM or IM) than the more time you can ride getting dialed into your TT position and comfortable with it, the better you'll be able to handle it and perform well on race day.
Training through the winter on the road bike indoors, the focus of course is on how many (watts). After having built that power base, getting outside on the tt bike is all about how fast. And the watts (for me) usually fall in at about 10-15 lower. Unless it's a mountain ride, I'm faster on less power. I hear people talk about rides and they pushed x watts or y watts for it, which is a good way to keep track of work. But what gets lost sometimes is that the point of the power is to save time and that means really riding the bike smart and not fixating on the pm.
It sounds like I may be in the minority. I spent all winter on the TRI bike on the trainer and am just now getting out on the road bike now that the weather has come around. I have not tested on my road bike, but in general I am able to push higher watts at the same rate of perceived exertion. I do find it more enjoyable to ride the road bike outside compared to the tri bike, as I feel more alert, in control, and powerful. Oh, and I don't mind it as much when I pass some roadie who decides to jump on my wheel for a bit (I hate this when I'm on the tri bike). For these and other reasons, I'll stick with it for most rides outside until closer to my "A" race in September.
Just my two cents.
Edit: just to be clear, I was talking about pushing higher watts on the road bike and preferring it over the tri bike outdoors.