Frame Flex.

[slave]

Anybody know about cycling? Im a cyclist STILL trying to get back to top form, prob is Im losing power somewhere and I was wondering if anybody knows anything about the effects of extra weight on my body linked with the frame I use and subsequent flex...

[freakray]

What do you want to know?

Frame flex is a definite place to lose power, titanium and steel frames are inherantly more prone to flex though, this is where frame design becomes important.
What type/material frame are you riding?

I have a book that explains the body weight issue and even offered a nice photo/diagram explanation, problem is the book is 7000 miles away. I will see if I can find the info online.
Basically, it explained that 1 lbs of extra body mass(yes, fat!) equates to riding along pulling a cart weighing 12 times that.

You can also lose power through other areas, like if your crank arms flex(yes, they can!) you will lose power.
Also, what length cranks are you losing? Are the best length for you?
You can generate more power from a 180 crank arm as opposed to a 170 crank, the main trade of is obviously pedalling clearance, especially through corners.

How's your diet? Eating and sleeping habits can also have an effect on things like power and endurance.

[slave]

Flex solved, feel f$%ng stupid though. Had my wheels re-tightened, spokes you know. And one of my brake shoes was working its way onto the rim so re-set that, re lubed, and viola, spent a shit tin of time riding mountains. Im a climber again, well, I will be when I race, judging by yesterdays form.

I actually ride 7005 aluminium, recomended as I do NOT ride smooth. Im a pure climber. But it was all back in sync yesterday.

[freakray]

Yeah, wheel flex can do that.
What wheels are you running?

Aluminium is a great frame material for sprinting and climbing, my Giant as a Al frame.

[slave]

Velocity Deep-V rims with DT Swiss spokes. Pretty. Bit heavier but not enough to worry about. Not really deep if you haven't seen them, just obviously more so than a climbing rim. Good all rounder, especially for the money. Got em all fixed up now, just gotta get a nice campag group and Im done. Lol, been driving pickle mad with emails like "honey, can you search for campag groups online and email me the prices etc"

[freakray]

The new Shimano stuff is nice too

[slave]

Staying away from Jap if I can. Yes I like their parts but to be honest, where is ANY Jap passion in the sport? None whatsoever.

[freakray]

Actually, maybe not on the road, but on the offroad side of things, they've got some amazing riders.
I've raced against some Japanese teams and you'd be amazed.

Mavic?

[slave]

I used to want Mavic Heliums, but after mashing a few riders with them on the slopes I realised I didnt need the expense.

[replicant_008]

Ummm... I'm actually only logging miles on the mag trainer at present. I have a mag trainer rigged up on the bike downstairs in the gym, using my SPDs and a set of instruments.


I'm also using a heart beat monitor so I line up gearing and resistance levels - then basically work to a progamme with intervals with increased bpm followed by lower level bpms over a period.

I figure even with all the frictional losses the key for me is sustained cadence and keeping the cardio in the correct zone because mag training is all about resistance levels.

Road riding is logistically impossible at present and its good cross-training for my other stuff.

Somewhere in the dark recesses of my store room there is some engineering formulae on torsion and bending moments for different materials - I'll have to see (it came from some research I did looking at spaceframes) but it could be relevant...

[slave]

I have a mag trainer, not fond of them, Alright for fitness, but not for race training so I shy away from them. Try to vary the work loads etc to represent various gradients, road surfaces etc.

[zebrathree]

Whats a mag trainer? Is it like an exercycle?

[freakray]

Originally Posted by zebrathree

Whats a mag trainer? Is it like an exercycle?

Sorta, but not quite.
It's a stationary trainer that the rear wheel fits into and the tyre runs against a drum which offers resistance, they're used for indoor training and warming up at races.

Personally, I prefer a fluid trainer, they're a lot quieter.

[zebrathree]

Cheers Ray.