In Reply To:
"
If you can't ride PC's in that aero position you ride on your regular crank bike then you can't pedal in the PC fashion while in the aero position on your regular crank bike. So, you are going to lose power. It is a trade off. Only you can decide if you want to do it or not. Lots do what you suggest. That is not evidence it is the best choice."
In my case, I'm not finding this to be a true statement. Sure, if you compare my power on my racing bike in a more aggressive position the week after I've been doing all of my training on PCs in a less aggressive aero position then that's a true statement. However, this is exactly why I said you need to get on your racing bike in that more aggressive aero position well in advance of your race.
I would argue that Courtney might have done better if he would got off his PCs
at least 6 weeks before his race and trained in a more aggressive race-specific aero position and raced on regular cranks. However, we'll never know...
Btw, yes, everyone's different but you made a general statement so you can't do that and then follow it up with, "Everyone's different..." That's called cheating. ;-)
Thanks, Chris
I really believe that most people, after they have made the basic adaption but before they have fully adapted would race faster on PowerCranks than on regular cranks. We have some conflicting anecdotal evidence, mostly in favor of this proposition but some against it. CDW is the one against, he used to race on PC's and now says he is faster on regular cranks.
It will be interesting to see how Courtney does at IMCDA this year (I think that is his next big race), which I think he intends to do again on PC's, and he will have another year under his belt (and a more aero position) and I think his injury is pretty well healed.
Another person on the "faster on PC's side" is Steve Fluet, who has been a long time PC'er but used to race on RotorCranks. He thought that was the best combination possible until he did a race last year on PC's and way exceeded his expectations over what he would have done on RC's. He has told us he is going to race on PC's this year. We will see how he does.
And, I have asked Joaquin to do some of his hill climbs on both cranks so we could get some power data to compare. If he were faster on regular cranks I might change my mind. I'll bet he would be faster on PC's. Although mountain ciimbing is not IM as aero is hardly important, that is all power.
Anyhow, every piece of data I get gets put into the computer an I am always open to revising my recommendations. I look forward to seeing you progress and I will compare you to others. Be sure to keep us and/or me informed.
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Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks