You are racing, simply pushing harder than in training. And, you are trying to get lower and/or staying aero longer than in training while pushing harder. I cannot see how it could be your wheels.
Do a race with your training wheels and see.
David K
**I usually race at a cadence of low - mid 90’s (during tri’s), and I notice that the lower the cadence, the more I feel it (going up hills, or during a flat TT when I usually have a cadence of high 80’s). **
Low 90’s, high 80’s is a fairly low cadence for any distance, let alone a 40k. I prefer well over 100, usually 110-15, for the very reason you have brought up. A lower cadence requires more out of the hip flexors and upper glutes in order to stabilize your trunk. A higher cadence takes that pressure away from those muscles and places it on your aerobics and conditioning.
Are you pushing higher cadences when you train and a lower one when you race? If so, that probably explains the difference in muscle fatigue. Try an easier gearing and higher cadence when you have on the race wheels. Pushing such a combination might lose you 20 seconds over 40k, but you will reap huge rewards on the run if you keep a high cadence.
I have noticed exactly the same thing when I race on my 404s. Did a HIM this weekend and could not believe the pain in my glutes. Much more pain than when I do shorter, faster training rides with my training wheels.
I just assumed it was due to the factors listed by several other posters (start too fast, come out of cold water, pushing harder, etc.). But, now that I hear someone else mention it, maybe it does have something to do with the firmness of the race wheel, etc.
same thing here. I couldnt really figure out why they hurt so much. they never hurt when I didnt use race wheels, but they do when I do use them.
Low 90’s, high 80’s is a fairly low cadence for any distance, let alone a 40k. I prefer well over 100, usually 110-15,
90’s is a low cadence? To me, 90 is the benchmark…keep it above 90 and I know I’m spinning well. 85-95 is my happy zone.
Have to agree with GearGrinder on this one. Anything over 100 seems to be entirely too high. Wasting to much energy spinning and not getting enough power out of your pedal stroke. I try not to go below 85 and 93-96 seems to be the perfect mesh of power/aerobic, for me anyway.
I talked to a coworker who uses a disc, and he says he feels it in his hamstrings, and up into his glutes.
Stiffness, Material, who knows.
but re: cadence, In my opinion, cadence is a personal preference. Some like it in one range, others are significantly different. To answer your question, I train w/ a cadence around 90.
I thought this was going to be a pitch or solicitation for some manner of calendar.
I am a bit disappointed.
Riding style
Armstrong has a high aerobic threshold and can maintain a higher cadence (often 120 rpm) in a lower gear than his competitors, most noticeably in the time trials. This style is in direct contrast to previous champions (e.g., Jan Ullrich and Miguel Indurain) who used a high gear and brute strength to win time trials. It is believed that a high cadence results in less fatigue in the leg muscles than a lower cadence requiring more severe leg muscle contractions. Ultimately the cardiovascular system is worked to a greater extent with a high cadence than with a lower, more muscular cadence. Because the leg muscles are taxed less with a high cadence pedaling style, they recover faster, and the efforts can be sustained for longer periods of time. Armstrong dedicated a significant portion of his training to developing and maintaining a high cadence style.
This is from LA’s wiki file so take it for what it is worth. The guys at my LBS preach high cadence (to reduce muslce fatigue) and the Carmichael TT video preaches 110+ as well. If low 90’s works for you, keep it up, but if I ever drop below 100, even on grades, I know I am hurting. All I know is I finally broke an hour for a 40k and followed it up with a sub 36 10k, all with a cadence over 110.
This thread is starting to get interesting.
Regarding cadence, I’ve found recently that as I warm-up, my cadence increases until I’m in my 90+ happy range. I usually ride about 45mins to get ready for a time trial, and it’s not until about 30mins into the warm-up ride that my cadence is where I want it to be, and feeling easy and effortless.
I’ve also found that in brick workouts, my cadence affects how the run feels. I run better off the bike if my cadence was over 90 than if it was in the 80-90 range…perhaps I just want to continue the quick turnover? Not sure.
I can’t imagine 100+…anytime I try this it’s just WAY too fast for me, and feels like I’m not delivering any power into the drivetrain. But then again, a couple years ago I though 85 was high, so we’ll see what happens.
Low 90’s, high 80’s is a fairly low cadence for any distance, let alone a 40k. I prefer well over 100, usually 110-15,
90’s is a low cadence? To me, 90 is the benchmark…keep it above 90 and I know I’m spinning well. 85-95 is my happy zone.
Yeah, but yer a gear grinder…obviously!
Seriously though…110-115 is way above the range for 99% of riders, Lance included (watch some vidoes and count his cadence in most areas…when not putting out huge power he’s frequently in the mid to upper 90s). 90ish is perfectly reasonable for any rider, and fairly well supported by lots of studies. When I am putting out 200-250W I am in the lower 90s. To do fast short intervals it’s 95-100 at 300-500W or 110+ for 500-1500W (for well below a minute). I quickly discovered with the PM that spinning at 100-105 was producing a lot less power than 90-95 and I gained about 1mph on my average speeds just by adjusting my cadence.
Regarding the OP, I have noted the same thing when riding with significant crosswinds, as I have to use the glutes and lower back to counter gusts. It’s never been anything to worry about, and the “effect” went away when I started riding my Jet60 on the front nearly 100% of the time in training. It’s a bulletproof wheel, so no reason not to.
Edit:clarified and expanded cadence…
triguy has it right, in that you just need to test to see what works for you. Just because lance was a spinner doesn’t mean that it is best for everyone.