Most winters I use my road bike on the trainer to preserve my tri bike. But this winter I want to train just on the tri bike. But I can’t get comfortable being aero very long on the trainer. But the minute I’m on the road I can go 100+ miles without coming out of aero position. Any sugguestions? Or this pretty normal? I also notice that I can’t hold the power as long on the trainer as I can on the road.
I’ve been noticing the same thing since moving in doors. Curious to see what others suggest.
from my N=1 sample, pretty normal. The lack of movement on the trainer means than you do not get the usual back/forth side/side shifting you do when you ride outdoors which activates additional muscle groups.
That said, I used my “discomfort” a as trigger for dialling in my position while on the trainer, and can now go about 90 minutes on the trainer in full aero before before i want to kill myself or need to stretch.
FWIW
I’ve been noticing the same thing since moving in doors. Curious to see what others suggest.
+1
On the road you move with the bike. On the trainer you move against it. It is also boring and hot and that does not help at all.
That is not my experience. You need to adjust your position.
Received a very brief email from a co-worker when he started using TrainerRoad:
Legs had more. Back side did not.
are you using a climbing block under your front wheel? usually playing with front wheel height helps me.
Since you’re having trouble on your tri bike indoors, and not indoors in general, this sounds like a bike angle issue to me. Do you already have a block under the front wheel? If so, you may want to try going a bit taller. Since trainers lift the back end of the bike, they tend to put you in a slight downhill position which can fatigue different muscles and cause discomfort pretty quickly, especially when in aero position.
I’m using a block and added two think books to raise it. This seemed to help a little. Maybe I should try to go even higher.
I notice the same thing, but I am not worrying about it. I seem to be able to stay in the aero on my 40K race rides.
yes yes, that’ll do it, that worked for me
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From a roadie perspective I also notice that I don’t care to spend much time in the drops on the trainer while I use them often outdoors. I think the reason is because indoors I get much better air flow moving over my body by holding the hoods or top bar. There is plenty enough discomfort on the trainer already, so at least I can sit upright.
I was actually thinking the same thing while on the trainer last night. I believe someone said they think it could be due to moving more with the bike while outside. I wonder if a trainer like the Rock N Roll would help alleviate the discomfort as it supposedly allows you to move more with the bike. I ordered one a few weeks ago, hoping I arrives soon so I can test this out.
Way more dynamic on the road. Trainer gets very very static. Completely natural to feel worse on the trainer.
I generally experience the same thing. It feels like a heat/discomfort/mental thing mostly to me. All bent over, sweating right onto myself, not getting enough air in.
I asked my coach and he said that if you were ok riding outside in aero without experiencing a loss in power not to worry about it.
I figure indoor training is all about the engine. If you get enough time outside so that you feel you can use the power in your best position, good enough.
Here is my n=1 experience…and I come from a pretty long background bike racing.
I simply cannot ride in my aero position on the trainer. It is simply uncomfortable. As soon as I take it outside, BAM…can hold it with no problems.
Two years ago, I made the commitment to riding my TT bike on the trainer over the winter. A tweak here, a tweak there…pads went back, saddle came forward and down a bit, etc. Could ride for a couple of hours with no issues. Very cold winter in Chicago and there was no outdoor riding to be had.
Go on Spring Break in FL…ship bike down. Head out on my first ride and had to stop within 200 meters. Literally could not ride in that position outside. Bars too close, saddle too forward, seat too low.
I think some of it is the lack of compensation you get when you get in an aero position inside…IOW, your position changes, your HR usually goes up but there is no equivalent change in speed. The trainer does not adjust for “aero”…so mentally you say “this sucks…I feel like I am working harder for nothing.” (That is my theory at least for now…no idea if it is correct)
Anyway, I’ve given up on the idea of riding my TT bike inside anymore. I’ll stick to my road bike inside and know that my TT bike is dialed in when I am outside.
I’ll bet you come out of aero more than you think over 100 miles. That being said - lower your TV or what-ever you are focusing on when indoors.
I’m the same way - so I simply ride the road bike on the trainer and most other outdoor rides for that matter. I probably ride the tt bike at most 25% of the time over the summer and 0% over the off season.
There’s no reason to force yourself to ride the tt bike inside.
I’m equally comfortable in my TT position on a trainer or the road. I seem to be able to put out more power on the road though (maybe 5 watts over 20-30 minutes, nothing remarkable).