I ask this because I’ve discovered that I’m faster on my road bike then on my Cervelo P3sl. Let me explain; I’ve been riding bikes for quite some time and most of the time I’m riding my P3. The P3 was unavailable so I started riding my Litespeed Vortex. I ride to and from work and the first ride on the Vortex yielded a three minute improvement over my previous best. It’s a hilly 13.5 mile ride but three minutes? So to further my experiment I rode 30 miles yesterday on the Vortex and 30 miles today on the Cervelo (I was without the Cervelo for about a week). Similar conditions on both days, windy and warm. I was about two minutes faster on the Vortex with a similar average heart rate.
I’m beginning to wonder if I should ride my road bike instead of my TT bike. Anyone have any possible explanations?
I’m maybe leaning toward a fit issue. I’ve always felt good on the P3. I certainly don’t have enough data for a true statistical analysis. I do notice that my leg extends a bit more on the Litespeed. Maybe I’m giving up a bit of power that way.
The wheels and tires are different. I’m running old, heavy Spinergy Rev X wheels on the P3 and Ksyrium SL’s on the Litespeed. The Litespeed weighs a bit less (about three pounds) and feels great on the hills. It is pretty hilly here in the northeast. It’s a mystery.
equalize the wheels/tires at least when investigating this. either one alone could easily make this difference.
I’m maybe leaning toward a fit issue. I’ve always felt good on the P3. I certainly don’t have enough data for a true statistical analysis. I do notice that my leg extends a bit more on the Litespeed. Maybe I’m giving up a bit of power that way.
The wheels and tires are different. I’m running old, heavy Spinergy Rev X wheels on the P3 and Ksyrium SL’s on the Litespeed. The Litespeed weighs a bit less (about three pounds) and feels great on the hills. It is pretty hilly here in the northeast. It’s a mystery.
The wheels and tires are different. I’m running old, heavy Spinergy Rev X wheels on the P3 and Ksyrium SL’s on the Litespeed. The Litespeed weighs a bit less (about three pounds) and feels great on the hills. It is pretty hilly here in the northeast. It’s a mystery.
That doesn’t sound like much of a mystery to me. Lighter bike, lighter wheels on hillier terrain.
…to further my experiment I rode 30 miles yesterday on the Vortex and 30 miles today on the Cervelo
Not really laboratory conditions…I’ll chalk it up to combination of “newness” excitement vs hang-over fatigue (plus all other variables mentioned).
My road bike is 3 pounds lighter than my TT bike, and I’m consistently 2mph faster on the TT bike. Neither has fancy wheels or tires. The position is everything.
In theory a TT bike should be faster on non technical flat courses. I rode FIST approved for a number of years on dedicated TT/tri bikes but always had crotch and neck issues on longer rides despite correct fittings. I switched to a Kestrel Talon in a less aggressive closer to roadie position and had my best bike split times. This flies against ST thinking, but my best guess in my case is that comfort trumps everything else because if you’re not comfy, performance will suffer. If you’re faster on your road bike then ride that way and don’t worry about official ST approval. Just do what is best for you.
I would not be opposed to posting a picture of myself on the P3sl (I just can’t figure out how to do it…I’m officially OLD). I don’t think my position is bad. If you look at the photos in my file by clicking on my name you’ll see my position on my P3C during IM Lake Placid which is about the same as my position on the SL.
I’m much more comfortable on the P3. It’s what I ride 99% of the time so the comfort thing goes to the Cervelo.
If you’re faster on your road bike then ride that way and don’t worry about official ST approval. Just do what is best for you.
Without seeing his position on the P3sl or knowing anything about his level of comfort, I wouldn’t tell him to come to this conclusion. There could be some very simple fixes that could make him much faster on the TT bike. There are some people that can’t “get it” on a TT bike, but those folks are exceptions. As a rule, a TT bike SHOULD be faster – and to a fair degree. That’s just a no-brainer. I can’t believe I even had to type it.
For me, TT bike in training configuration is worth about 1.5 mph on an average, say, 40 mile ride over what I could do solo on my road bike. Fully aero’d out with race wheels, aero helmet, skinsuit, shoe covers and all, that difference is more like 4 or 5 mph.
If you’re faster on your road bike then ride that way and don’t worry about official ST approval. Just do what is best for you.
Without seeing his position on the P3sl or knowing anything about his level of comfort, I wouldn’t tell him to come to this conclusion. There could be some very simple fixes that could make him much faster on the TT bike. There are some people that can’t “get it” on a TT bike, but those folks are exceptions. As a rule, a TT bike SHOULD be faster – and to a fair degree. That’s just a no-brainer. I can’t believe I even had to type it.
For me, TT bike in training configuration is worth about 1.5 mph on an average, say, 40 mile ride over what I could do solo on my road bike. Fully aero’d out with race wheels, aero helmet, skinsuit, shoe covers and all, that difference is more like 4 or 5 mph.
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+1, I live on somewhat hilly terrain, but I make up so much time on the flats and descents it’s not even funny. I’m easily faster on my P2 SL (of which I haven’t even dialed in fit yet) than my Quintana Roo #101 with same gearing 53 x 11-23
I usually go to work on a specialize tricross with 28mm tired and a pannier.
I did it once with my p2c 23mm and backpack and got there faster than my average but slower than my best time.
How you feel on that morning and the weather is more important than the rest on a single ride. Over time I would think that the p2c would be much faster but then again it’s not very appropriate to frequent stops and red lights and cycling with a backpack is not fun.
My road bike is 3 pounds lighter than my TT bike, and I’m consistently 2mph faster on the TT bike. Neither has fancy wheels or tires. The position is everything.
