I just got a tri bike a few weeks ago and Ive been having some trouble adapting. I feel like I have to work alot harder to go as fast as I did on my much less expensive road bike. Originally, I thought maybe it was the wheels, but after looking at all the components I came to notice there were some major differences that could possibly be effecting my ride. Ive listed my bike specs below.
I went from a size 51 cm women’s road road bike with 700cs, compact 50/ 34 cranks 9 speed 12/26 cassette with a 170 mm crank arm. Now I am on a 48 cm tri bike with 650cs, standard 53/39 cranks 10 speed 12/23 cassette and 165mm crank arm.
I feel like I am losing power on the tri bike and I am not able to pedal in circles as easily. I suppose this means I am not a good spinner. I have really strong legs and I guess I tend to push harder gears than most. My inseam is about 71.5 cm.
So my question is could this new compoent combination be causing me to lose power? If so, should I switch back to a 170 mm crank or should I focus on becoming a better spinner?
I just got a tri bike a few weeks ago and Ive been having some trouble adapting. I feel like I have to work alot harder to go as fast as I did on my much less expensive road bike. Originally, I thought maybe it was the wheels, but after looking at all the components I came to notice there were some major differences that could possibly be effecting my ride. Ive listed my bike specs below.
I went from a size 51 cm women’s road road bike with 700cs, compact 50/ 34 cranks 9 speed 12/26 cassette with a 170 mm crank arm. Now I am on a 48 cm tri bike with 650cs, standard 53/39 cranks 10 speed 12/23 cassette and 165mm crank arm.
I feel like I am losing power on the tri bike and I am not able to pedal in circles as easily. I suppose this means I am not a good spinner. I have really strong legs and I guess I tend to push harder gears than most. My inseam is about 71.5 cm.
So my question is could this new compoent combination be causing me to lose power? If so, should I switch back to a 170 mm crank or should I focus on becoming a better spinner?
Hope this all makes sense!
Thanks.
Go back to a compact, in a 165mm crank arm size.
So my question is could this new compoent combination be causing me to lose power? If so, should I switch back to a 170 mm crank or should I focus on becoming a better spinner?
If you don’t have low enough gears for climbs on the tri-bike, I’d go to a 12-27 cassette. This will give you about the same low gear that you have on the road bike.
You get a little less leverage for powering big gears with the 165mm cranks. This may be what you are feeling. I have 175mm cranks on one of my road bikes and 170mm on another. If I’ve ridden the 175’s a lot and then switch to the bike with 170’s, I sometimes notice it when climbing but not on the flats (where I tend to spin).
Also note that it could be the tri-bike position. I think most people tend to lose a little power in the aero position but since it’s more aerodynamic, the speed is usually still greater. But if you were not professionally fit (and maybe even if you were), that would be something to look into.