Using a heavy bike for training

downfader

I know a lot of guys tend to like carbon forks, aluminium or carbon frame and some decent lightweight wheels, etc. All in all you go very fast with a moderate effort (in my estimation obviously). The thing is I've been riding the kona now for a few weeks, its quite heavy but I love it. What I find very odd though is that I can hill climb and actually enjoy it, where as on my old Marin Sausilito it was a very light bike but hills were a nightmare.. perhaps partly due to the way the gears were set up..

So here is my thought of the day. Is it of more value to train on a heavy bike and save the lighter ones for races and such? Or do you all prefer the comfort a lighter bike can sometimes provide? Like quick gettaways at the lights.

Jimi_08

I Train on a fairy heavy bike my trek 6500 but when I race i go to my trek elite 9.9 and there is so much difference in not only speed but feel. I do prefer my 6500 as when doing trails i rather am more comfortable riding with a heavier bike than that of the elite. The only advantage of the elite is the shinyness and weight. :P

teagar

Surely if you ride a lighter bike you should just ride faster than if you were on a heavier one? That way you get the same out of it.

Anonymous

Yes. Simple answer, the handling may be different. Only thing is that I have found is although you will get faster it will not get easier. For instance you may put in the same effort on a hillclimg in training on the heavy bike as you would in a race with a lighter bike but you will get there quicker and recover sooner.

Hope tis makes sense :?

Anonymous

Will also work on my spelling, read hillclimb instead of hillclimg and this for tis.

McBain_v1

My bikes get lighter as the seasons do:

Winter = 531c 1983 Raleigh with 8-spd Shimano 600 throughout
Spring/Autumn = 631 Raleigh with 9-spd Ultegra throughout
Summer = Titanium with 10spd Dura-Ace

I notice the difference between all of these bikes and love their individual quirks.

unclemalc

I used to use a stupidly heavy Scott Hybrid for the winter but at ~ 35 - 40lbs that was too much, so I went out on the old Dawes which must be ~25lb.
As said above, it didn't necessarily seem to make a lot of difference once I went to the Bianchi, at ~20lbs. This winter I was using a single-speed Spesh which although similar in weight to the Bianchi, meant riding in a different way, which made it harder.
By swapping around, all this has led to a better appreciation and enjoyment of the different feel of each bike, and more fun generally.

In terms of the theory, if you expend X amount of energy on a heavy bike you will achieve a fitness level of Y and accomplish an achievment of 'Z'..
All other things being equal, if you then expend that X amount of energy on a lighter bike, at the same fitness level, you will accomplish Z a lot quicker and/or easier, or achive 'Z+'.
You can do the same thing by hauling a belly around with you (like me) and then getting rid of it (I am getting there...), or strapping a full camelbak on every trip over the winter and then leaving it off in the spring.
It works: I know someone who does.

downfader

teagar wrote:

Surely if you ride a lighter bike you should just ride faster than if you were on a heavier one? That way you get the same out of it.

Personally I feel like I've developed more core body strength and leg strength that with the lighter bike. As Unclemalc says its a different feel with different bikes obviously.

cougie

I have a heavy steel fixie for the winter, and a light carbon bike for the summer.

I only notice the difference for about the first half hour of the ride - after that - I cant tell.
I dont think theres any real benefit, apart from heavier usually = cheaper ?

OffTheBackAdam

We shoved a house brick into a club member's saddlebag once, that seemed to slow him down a bit on the club run!

Headhuunter

Have to say that adding weight just slows me down but I still expend the same energy. When I commute home on normal days my rucksack weighs in at about 5kg perhaps, but when I stop at Tesco it ends up at 10-15kg and I just end up going more slowly. Equally at the weekend I get the old carbon Focus out for club runs and I just go further and faster than I would on the commuting bike.

teagar

downfader wrote:

teagar wrote:

Surely if you ride a lighter bike you should just ride faster than if you were on a heavier one? That way you get the same out of it.

Personally I feel like I've developed more core body strength and leg strength that with the lighter bike. As Unclemalc says its a different feel with different bikes obviously.

Tell that to the pros who ride the same frame all year round. :roll:


They change their wheels but that's more for strength of the wheels than anything else