Time Trialling to improve road biking?

birdy247

I have a TT bike which I rarely use (as I like chaingangs etc..), but I am going to start using it more.

As I understand it, it can take some time to get used to a TT bike as it puts you in a different position. If I spend lots of time on my TT bike, would it help my threshold power on my road bike (Assuming I am working at threshold on the TT bike?)

My concern is I will be putting out less power on the TT bike due to the hip angles etc... thus loosing some FTP when going back to my road bike.

Thanks

dawebbo

Happy to be corrected here. But I can't see how this would be any more beneficial than just riding your road bike

Toks

birdy247 wrote:

I have a TT bike which I rarely use (as I like chaingangs etc..), but I am going to start using it more.

As I understand it, it can take some time to get used to a TT bike as it puts you in a different position. If I spend lots of time on my TT bike, would it help my threshold power on my road bike (Assuming I am working at threshold on the TT bike?)

My concern is I will be putting out less power on the TT bike due to the hip angles etc... thus loosing some FTP when going back to my road bike.

Thanks

In general, Ride TT bike - get fitter on TT bike; Ride road bike - get fitter on Road bike. I'm sure if you did lots of threshold efforts (even races) on your TT bike you'd there would be some improvement on your road Bike fitness (depends on how different your bike set up are) too but not as much as the on your TT bike coz you're specifically trained on your TT bike

danowat

If you want to race a TT bike, then train on a TT bike, as its a position you really need to get used too, but spending loads of time on it, as opposed to spending the same amount of time on a road bike, won't help your power on the road bike anymore than riding the road bike will.

SBezza

I would have to agree to the above, if you want to get the best out yourself in a TT ride the TT bike, if you only do a TT occasionally then stick to the road bike.

For what it is worth, I can pretty much produce the same power for both, I just tend to ride the road bike on the drops alot, as for me I am more comfortable this way, as I spend alot of time training on my TT bike as well.

It doesn't take much time to get used to the TT bike again though.

pianoman

I find that getting out on the TT bike once a week certainly improves my confidence when taking corners on the tri-bars, plus you're sitting forward so it's even more beneficial on a triathlon where you're finishing the bike leg only to have to use different muscles for the run leg - an aboslute KILLER on a road bike.

I can't see how riding the TT bike would slow you down on your roadie unless you use it as an excuse to not do as many miles.

Alumin-Liam

You might get some benefit from training in a more aero position. This should make you more flexible over time and make you more comfortable on the drops for longer.

Actually entering some time trials might help you in road racing. I've seen riders get away from a bunch and stay away for victory after 30 - 40 minutes on their own. Pure TT skills!

dawebbo

Alumin-Liam wrote:

You might get some benefit from training in a more aero position. This should make you more flexible over time and make you more comfortable on the drops for longer.

Or you could practice riding being more aero on your road bike..