Road bike vs. recumbent comparison
- Thread starter Osiris
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bladderhead
Zen MBB Master
Wow! At last, someone has successfully hijacked this thread.
trplay
Zen MBB Master
I told you it was coming and now its here! NY-NYC has landed and Zwift has taken virtual riding up another knotch. Whatever you do don't miss this linked Simon Schofield's zwiftcast Listeners podcast #56 on the subject. It will be coming live soonest.
trplay
Zen MBB Master
The Zwiftcast is out. Click here for your complete Zwift immersion.
Osiris
Zen MBB Master
Today I had what may be my best ride ever on the V20. I got my second fastest time in one segment and tied my PR in another. Three of my uphill sprints just blew away my previous best results on the V20. What accounts for it? Cadence. Having seen the big jumps in power I can generate on my DF just by spinning fast, I thought I'd see what could be gained on the V20. Despite the fact that I've never come even close to matching the cadence achieved on a DF on any of my bents, a 15 to 20 rpm increase on the V20 was within my means, and the results were nothing short of spectacular. Last weekend I scored my second best time ever on one longish hill climb on the V20, averaging 17.4 mph. That time, I had been using the handlebar wagging technique to see if it could generate some extra power. Based on that result, the answer seemed to be yes. Today however, I just rode the V20 normally (no handlebar wagging) and demolished that record to the tune of 19.9 mph average speed. I'm now within striking range of my all time record set way back in November of 2014 on my TT bike. That time I was fully rested, whereas this time I was already quite fatigued after 25 miles of continuous riding, which included several sprints. Once the weather gets cold, I may have to drive out there and give it another shot. In the next few weeks, I plan to train myself to spin the pedals a lot faster, as this seems to be the most promising route to much faster speeds.
Osiris
Zen MBB Master
I can't see anything on them indicating the length. They are the stock FSA cranks that came with the V20.
Osiris
Zen MBB Master
Not much new to report after the last two days of riding, except that I smashed my PR on my favorite hill climb to the tune of 21.8 mph average speed. That's the fastest I've ever climbed this hill on any recumbent. Once again, high cadence seemed to make all the difference. I was also helped by the fact that some beast on a DF passed me at the start of the climb. It was a young guy with massive thighs, built almost like an Olympic sprinter. He was heavy though, easily over 200 lbs. At a svelte 171 lbs, I'm the lightest I've been in decades, so I thought that his considerable weight disadvantage combined with the poor aerodynamics of his DF would give me a fighting chance. He was definitely going for it when he saw me coming up behind him, but I managed to pass him halfway up. It was the high point of an otherwise boring ride due to heavy rain early on, which prevented me from doing my usual sprints.
Speaking of rain, I want to praise the Ventisit seat pad for keeping my back dry. I've been caught in heavy downpours on several occasions when riding with a foam seat pad, and it's miserable. In no time at all, these will soak up the water and make you feel like you're lying on a wet sponge. The Ventisit's open mesh doesn't hold water and allows air to circulate freely underneath you even in heavy rains, so by the time I got back to my car I had dried off completely. I only wish Ventisit made one of these for my M5.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/Bicycling/i-Q5BbxJL/0/10541031/X3/DSCN0220-X3.jpg
Speaking of rain, I want to praise the Ventisit seat pad for keeping my back dry. I've been caught in heavy downpours on several occasions when riding with a foam seat pad, and it's miserable. In no time at all, these will soak up the water and make you feel like you're lying on a wet sponge. The Ventisit's open mesh doesn't hold water and allows air to circulate freely underneath you even in heavy rains, so by the time I got back to my car I had dried off completely. I only wish Ventisit made one of these for my M5.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/Bicycling/i-Q5BbxJL/0/10541031/X3/DSCN0220-X3.jpg
jond
Zen MBB Master
Finally. Whew. Happy you finally are starting to find the method.
You can make your own ventisit pad for m5. Material is available to buy in rolls.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
Did a double century yesterday on the DF with the goal to average 200 watts for the ride to match my best V20 power in a double. Started out fine hold about 215 watts for the first 70 miles which dropped to 200 watt average because of the long DHs into the 100 mile lunch stop. Out of lunch was a long 10.5 mile 3500' climb and I could feel it was getting tougher to hold that 200-220 watts power needed for the climb. About 2/3rds the way up my left seat bone started to feel very bruised to the point I was having a hard time pushing the left pedal and my energy was low enough that stand for longer periods of time was also becoming difficult. After a longer 10-15 min stop at the next aid station to relax in a more comfortable chair I got back on with reduced seat bone pain which over the next 10 miles completely went away all together. At that point my motivation was rather low and I just wanted to get the ride over with, I was crawling per say but I wasn't flying along as I would have liked. I'm a little disappointed in my physical performance yesterday and how I may have overestimated my abilities even setting aside the problems with discomfort. I feel like if I had been on the V20 I could have had a much better change at holding 200 watts for the whole ride because I know my level of comfort would have remained steady the whole way.
Because of the very specific seat bone pain this was the first time I seriously have considered the idea behind the infinity saddle which is completely cut away in the center. For reference I currently run a cheap $50 simple foam saddle that originally came on my 2006 mtb so it's not like I've put much effort in saddle comfort on the road bike but then again the saddle has been working well enough on many of my other rides.
Because of the very specific seat bone pain this was the first time I seriously have considered the idea behind the infinity saddle which is completely cut away in the center. For reference I currently run a cheap $50 simple foam saddle that originally came on my 2006 mtb so it's not like I've put much effort in saddle comfort on the road bike but then again the saddle has been working well enough on many of my other rides.
You should try ISM Adamo saddle. https://www.ismseat.com/performance-saddles/
I have two Adamo Prologue saddles, and my 14 y.o. took one of them to mount on his Marin mountain bike. He liked it as well.
jond
Zen MBB Master
Ouch. I’ve had saddle sores. Wouldn’t wish them on anyone. Two weeks off the bike and .......well I won’t say.
Saddle selection is fraught. You’re pretty slim rojo so I reckon the adamo might be too wide it was for me even with the fingers pulled together with electrical tie.
32” waist and I know we are all built different and exterior walls can hide the tardis within. Lol.
Ended up with a selle smp lite. A very popular brand choice amongst the long distance with gonad types.
Lots bike shops have loaner saddles to try. There’s your go to.
So you’ve had a downer below par off ride but you still finished. Now learn and do. This might be as simple as chamois cream on your donuts. Or a new bib set. Try tf Mille ASsos best I used . Till I went all out vendetta on that ass. Get your vendetta sent today sore ass . Lol.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
Some people tell me I should skip that never ending search for that holy grail of a saddle and just get a recumbent, maybe I'll try that instead
Brooks B17 or Berthoud Aravis leather saddle broken in using the Haldeman technique should cure any seat bone issue. I found that either saddle paired with Assos T Centos lubed with Lantiseptic would be good for at least 5 straight days in the saddle. LOL. There is no recipe. That worked for me. I did switch to the S5 bibs and noticed blood down the right leg on day 2. Takes a bit of experimenting to find the right solution. I haven't found it yet on the bent. Going to try the Thor again.
jond
Zen MBB Master
Ouch David wouldn’t fancy four 17 hour days on that.
Even the original cruzbike headrest cover can get scratchy on the neck after few days in a row. I use arm warmers over the headrest.
jond
Zen MBB Master
Some people tell me I should skip that never ending search for that holy grail of a saddle and just get a recumbent, maybe I'll try that instead
That gets the nuts approval fast.
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