Lower heart rate riding the V20

[Sonnybea]

I have been riding the V20 since March as of now I have 4200 miles on the V20. I have noticed my heart rate on the average is 119bpm before on the C.A 2.0 I was averaging 135 to 140bpm, just wondering if it is the 20degree seat angle.
The only other bike I have ridden is the S40 and my heart rate is at 135 to 140, but I am riding off road there is no coasting
Any thoughts ?

 

[Mathew Fy]

Out of curiosity I calculated mine for the year (made easy by Garmin Connect & Excel.)
I had an average heart rate = 140, while the average power = 154, over 3700 miles.
Unfortunately I have no comparison as I only got into it after switching to the V20 2016.
Pic shows heart rate as a function of power.

 

[Kufman]

I have a significantly lower heart rate while riding my V20 compared to an upright bike for the same power (135 compared to 160).

 

[Andrew Wilson]

Oh yes. Me too. On the same 25 mile flat loop I’m regularly 1-2 mpg faster and ave HR 20 or so beats lower between my V20 and my Cervelo.

 

[cpml123]

Oh yes. Me too. On the same 25 mile flat loop I’m regularly 1-2 mpg faster and ave HR 20 or so beats lower between my V20 and my Cervelo.

So is lower heart rate better?

 

[Andrew Wilson]

So is lower heart rate better?

I really couldnt say...I have always noticed a lower rate on a recumbent VS upright, doesnt matter the brand of recumbent.

 

[3bs]

just to state the obvious, you are doing less work for the same speed because of less wind resistance. less work requires less exertion, corresponding to a lower HR. a lower HR suggests you should be able to maintain the work level longer, however if you are doing interval or other cardio training you will want to get the HR up into your training zone.

on the average, similar weight bents are all about 15 less per minute over same route often for a little more speed, except long climbs, which i think i work harder on the bents, or i have speed anxiety, because the HR is actually a little higher on the mid level percentage grades. on max grades its the same.

 

[Gary Hudson]

I'm curious is there is a difference on the trainer, where wind resistance isn't a factor.

 

[Greg S]

I'm curious is there is a difference on the trainer, where wind resistance isn't a factor.

Yes, or at least for me. Although what @3bs said is correct wrt aerodynamics, I also believe the fact that you're nearer horizontal on a recumbent plays a role in that your heart doesn't have to pump against gravity in the venous system.

 

[ak-tux]

I once read somewhere on the internet that a recumbent cycling position produces a relatively lower heart rate but a higher stroke volume for the same percieved effort compared to what the same individual would have exerted if on an upright bicycle. The reason being that there is a lower peripheral resistance to blood flow.

Let me quote the artical here:

In a standing position, gravity significantly
affects the distribution of the blood volume
in the body (22). The body compensates for
this off-balanced distribution by increasing
peripheral resistance. Pumping against
stronger resistance causes the heart to have
a lower left ventricular end-diastolic
pressure, lower stroke volume, and higher
heart rate (17). When the body is changed
from upright to supine, parasympathetic
nerve activity increases its affect on the
heart, whereas sympathetic nerve activity
decreases (22). Additionally, in a supine
position, a balanced distribution of blood
causes weaker peripheral resistance.
Parasympathetic activity and weaker
resistance cause the heart to have a lower
heart rate and higher stroke volume (5,22).
The upright active and supine passive
recoveries are able to take advantage of
their respective attributes to maintain
performance.
- International Journal of Exercise Science 6(3) : 180-187, 2013​

 

[Don1]

I hope you where wearing a labcoat and glasses while you were typing that

 

[ak-tux]

I hope you where wearing a labcoat and glasses while you were typing that

nope, I just quoted what I came across. It just seems to make sense.

 

[Opik]

I have been riding the V20 since March as of now I have 4200 miles on the V20. I have noticed my heart rate on the average is 119bpm before on the C.A 2.0 I was averaging 135 to 140bpm, just wondering if it is the 20degree seat angle.
The only other bike I have ridden is the S40 and my heart rate is at 135 to 140, but I am riding off road there is no coasting
Any thoughts ?

My Guess is Upper body position relative to heart.

The pressure sensor is arouund the neck, on an upright position, the heart works harder as it pumps to the head against gravity. On a recumbent, its much easier so with the same pressure, the heart rate is lower.

But then there is also lower body position relative to heart. Its harder to pump blood to your legs on a high BB recumbent bike. This is not only a function of your heart but also the blood vessels. With no help from gravity, its harder for blood to reach the legs.

 

[ak-tux]

My Guess is Upper body position relative to heart.

The pressure sensor is arouund the neck, on an upright position, the heart works harder as it pumps to the head against gravity. On a recumbent, its much easier so with the same pressure, the heart rate is lower.

But then there is also lower body position relative to heart. Its harder to pump blood to your legs on a high BB recumbent bike. This is not only a function of your heart but also the blood vessels. With no help from gravity, its harder for blood to reach the legs.

I suppose then that there must be a tipping point for the BB height. I guess that it is counter productive to have a BB higher than your waist?

Anyway, I have also observed that if I have been on my recumbnet for a few hours continuously , stopping and attempting to stand upright results in dizzness. My recumbent buddy has also confirmed the same experience. I don't experience the same on my upright bicycle. Which seems to confirm the lower blood pressure in recumbent position theory.