Heavy training bike

[bruce]

No, ride at the cadence that feels the most comfortable.  Your body knows how to select the optimal cadence based on the muscle fibre composition of your legs.

 

Strength is not the issue in cycling, power is.  Power = force (strength) x speed (cadence).  The force you apply to pedals when riding a bike is probably less than 20% of your single repitition maximum force you can produce.

 

As has been said 300w is 300w on the bike - on a heavier bike, 300w is just a bit slower.

 

When you get to race day, your physical preparation is complete (or as good as it is going to get).  Mental preparation is more important on race day.  I know I love getting on my race bike - light wheels etc.  It just feels fast, which makes you feel fast, and puts you mentally in the right place.

[lowracer]

imtb' date=' do you train to be on the poduim in a race?

if not, I think that the 10min you are going to go faster on a lighter mtb is not going to mean a lot.

Yes, the heavy bike is going to help, but it put more strain on the knees and body.

What distances and terrain you use to train on the "heavy" bike.

What do you train 4?

CLIMBING, CLIMBING, and more UPHILL, will make you stronger, no matter what bike you use.

In races the lighter one will give the a advantage

You have to train today in such a way, that you can still be able to train tommorow as well.

not sure if this make sense.[/quote']

 

Subliminal whisper :

 

HILLS ARE MY FRIENDS ... HILLS ARE MY FRIENDS ...

 

 

[madmarc]

 

To ride the heavier bike at the same speed as the lighter bike you would need to generate more power.

if you are training with a power meter and using it properly the weight does not make a difference as has been noted 300w is 300w.

in a race the heavier bike would be slower.

 

I understand the heavier bike would be slower. As MadMarc says' date=' its a power to weight ratio. But what I really want to know...are there any advantages at all in training on a heavier bike?

[/quote']

 

It depends, if the heavier bike is an IDT then it makes no difference. But if you are training on a heavier bike on the road then there will be an increase in speed.

 

Taking the 3 elements mentioned Power; Weight & Speed. All work in relation to each other. If you change one element it will have an effect on the other two. Unless you keep one constant.

 

riding with a total weight of say 90kg @ 300w will produce say 30kph (for sake of the conversation) change to say 85kg and keep power constant @ 300w will increase speed. Or 85kg @ 30kph will reduce power required. But we don't only use the above 3 elements when riding. Consider the gearing; your mindset and condition on the day, these all play a roll. If you produce 30kph @ 300w on 90kg, and change to an easier gear this will reduce power required or reduce speed at the same power output. There are just to many variables to consider to give a difinative answer.

 

I personally train by loseing weight; increase power and reduce HR (on IDT)

Losing weight + increase in power output = better power to weight ratio.

Reducing HR @ a given power output = improved power & speed @ MHR

 

 

[Eezymiles]

Training on the heavier bike will save wear & tear on the light bike.  Training wise it won't make a difference if you use power as your measure of intensity.

Mentally' date=' I think it makes a big difference on race day when you get on a bike that feels light and quick.  Come race day, the only thing that is going to make a difference to your performance is your mental state.  Anything you do that improves your mental state, and get's you into the "racing" mode is going to help your performance.[/quote']

 

Are you not at a disadvantage training on your mtb and then switching to your road bike in terms of geometry? ie. length of cranks etc?

[Imtb]

QUOTE]

 

Are you not at a disadvantage training on your mtb and then switching to your road bike in terms of geometry? ie. length of cranks etc?

 

Yet another powercut just when things were getting interesting! Nope, I don't have a road bike, I race mountain bikes.

[bob_the_builder]

 

 

Yet another powercut just when things were getting interesting! Nope' date=' I don't have a road bike, I race mountain bikes.

[/quote']

 

Well then take all the advice you got here with a pinch of salt... I don't think anyone who anserwed your original question has any power meter on an MTB...

 

[Imtb]

 

 

 

I personally train by loseing weight; increase power and reduce HR (on IDT)

Losing weight + increase in power output = better power to weight ratio.

Reducing HR @ a given power output = improved power & speed @ MHR

 

 

 

Thanks madmarc, I think between you and Bruce I get the picture. Training on a heavier bike isn't going to make me faster but riding a lighter bike in a race, pwer to rate ratio will mean I will be able to go faster and feel faster! I only ride a heavier bike during training because I am using an old bike that has v-brakes. My Anthem2 has disc brakes and doesn't support a PowerTap.

[Imtb]

 

Yet another powercut just when things were getting interesting! Nope' date=' I don't have a road bike, I race mountain bikes.

[/quote']

Well then take all the advice you got here with a pinch of salt... I don't think anyone who anserwed your original question has any power meter on an MTB...

 

No problem...power is the same whether its MTB or road. I did mention in my first post that I trained on a mountain bike.