It's too soon to tell whether PCs will make me a more powerful and efficient cyclist and runner, but I can say right now that the adaptation has been fast and easy.
I have had my PCs exactly a month. After the first two tentative weeks in which I did longer rides on regular cranks, I began riding my PCs exclusively. Yesterday, I did my longest PC ride to date--60 miles. The first half of it I did with my usual group and had no trouble keeping the pace. The second half I did alone--the group ride was cut short because of hurricane-related issues. My "up" muscles were still working fine at 60 miles, but I decided it would be prudent to stop rather than risk getting stranded alone and out of cell contact.
I initially had the PCs on my TT bike. Although with PCs, a more "open" position is easier at first, I was riding in the aerobars without a problem within 10 days. The PCs are on my road bike now, and I don't feel any difference between being upright and being in the drops. I don't have a cadence meter on my road bike, but my subjective feeling is that my cadence is approaching "normal" now--I'm guessing about 85 rpm.
I have a century ride coming up in two weeks--six weeks after my very first PC workout. I will be doing the century on my PCs, and I fully expect to complete it without any problems.
I had heard stories about how long it takes to adjust, it's a longterm project, you have to be patient, etc.--although there are probably lots of stories like mine, and I either didn't see them or just remembered the "it's so hard" stories. I am posting my experience so people who might be considering buying PCs will know there's a range of responses and that adaptation might be a complete non-issue for them like it has been for me.
Susan
I have had my PCs exactly a month. After the first two tentative weeks in which I did longer rides on regular cranks, I began riding my PCs exclusively. Yesterday, I did my longest PC ride to date--60 miles. The first half of it I did with my usual group and had no trouble keeping the pace. The second half I did alone--the group ride was cut short because of hurricane-related issues. My "up" muscles were still working fine at 60 miles, but I decided it would be prudent to stop rather than risk getting stranded alone and out of cell contact.
I initially had the PCs on my TT bike. Although with PCs, a more "open" position is easier at first, I was riding in the aerobars without a problem within 10 days. The PCs are on my road bike now, and I don't feel any difference between being upright and being in the drops. I don't have a cadence meter on my road bike, but my subjective feeling is that my cadence is approaching "normal" now--I'm guessing about 85 rpm.
I have a century ride coming up in two weeks--six weeks after my very first PC workout. I will be doing the century on my PCs, and I fully expect to complete it without any problems.
I had heard stories about how long it takes to adjust, it's a longterm project, you have to be patient, etc.--although there are probably lots of stories like mine, and I either didn't see them or just remembered the "it's so hard" stories. I am posting my experience so people who might be considering buying PCs will know there's a range of responses and that adaptation might be a complete non-issue for them like it has been for me.
Susan