drop in power on the TT bike

mattmaximus
mattmaximus Posts: 132
edited April 2014 in Road general
Having done two 10m TTs on the road bike (no extensions) I took out my TT bike for its first proper run yesterday. I was expecting discomfort, not having held the aero position for anything like that length of time (the best motivation for getting faster!), but not a 12%ish drop in power compared to the road bike. I've had a bike fit and am happy that i've got a decent position, but I'd like to hear what other people's experiences were going from road to tt bike.

Yes, I need more core strength - goes without saying.

Thanks for any help

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    In that position I can barely breath, so I totally sympathise
    left the forum March 2023
  • AK_jnr
    AK_jnr Posts: 717
    Depends how your power compared between the two last year?

    Edit - looking back I assume its a new bike so ignore that.
  • bad_ash
    bad_ash Posts: 47
    What were you using to measure power on both bikes?

    What was the speed/time on the TT bike compared to the road bike over the same course?
  • mattmaximus
    mattmaximus Posts: 132
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    In that position I can barely breath, so I totally sympathise

    yes, breathing was tricky, especially over the second half. to be honest, i find the time alone with my thoughts during the ride even more troubling than the pain in my chest. that was before i realised that i couldn't lift my arms above shoulder height yesterday evening. there was definitely a moment where i wondered why i'd bothered paying a fiver for the privilege...
  • mattmaximus
    mattmaximus Posts: 132
    Bad Ash wrote:
    What were you using to measure power on both bikes?

    a powertap g3, built exceptionally well on archetypes by ugo.
    Bad Ash wrote:
    What was the speed/time on the TT bike compared to the road bike over the same course?

    about 70 seconds quicker compared to the road bike, though i also ran a different, deeper, front wheel.
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    You just need to spend more time on the TT bike.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • mattmaximus
    mattmaximus Posts: 132
    Great, that's what I wanted to hear. Thanks.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    NapoleonD wrote:
    You just need to spend more time on the TT bike.

    Did you say money? :mrgreen:
    left the forum March 2023
  • mattmaximus
    mattmaximus Posts: 132
    Don't joke - I'm just sitting here wondering whether it's worth the £160 to get a disc cover for that wheel. I reckon that could represent 20 seconds less pain. Right now it looks good value...
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Just hammer the training. Believe me, I've been there!
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    As Nap says its totally normal o see that gap. For most its all about as much time training in the aero position and closing the gap as much as you can. Inevitably though you have to expect a difference will always be there sue to the different angles created by that position. Ride the TT bike all year and make sure you train lots on it over winter and you should see the gap diminish.

    Its always a trade-off as the more extreme and perhaps aero the position, the greater the likely power loss. At some point it becomes better for many people to sacrifice a little aero to maintain power levels - you need to experiment to find the optimal balance of the 2. Experimentation is probably helpful as well as max training time.
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • mattmaximus
    mattmaximus Posts: 132
    Thanks guys, much appreciated.

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