Just out of curiousity and since you seem to know Normann pretty well, how much time does he spend training on his tri bike vs. road bike?
Paul?
Good question. I’ve wondered this myself about all the Pros. I know many of them put in substantial off season base mileage, but not sure if that is primarily on one bike or the other. Will be interested to hear the responses on this.
" know many of them put in substantial off season base mileage, but not sure if that is primarily on one bike or the other."
FWIW in the What It Takes movie, Peter Reid is riding his road bike during his base building rides in AZ.
Haim
to add to the question, why does he choose the ride he does?
he also seems to be wearing headphones…doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do.
FWIW I ride I’d say 75% of a year’s mileage on a road bike (Nishiki 7 speed) and the rest on a QR Kilo 650. Even during build. The road bike is much heavier (26 lbs. vs. 21) so it is a good investment in time. I have had good success training this way but I perhaps ride it differently than most. I ride it set-up as close as to the QR as possible. The seat is as as far forward as possible; 76 degrees. Plus I never use the brake hood position since the race bike doesn’t have that option. It is either on the drops, the full aero, or climbing aero positions, just like the QR. Also, no clip-ons for the road bike. Aero position on it means on your forearms thereby improving your balance and smoothing out your pedal stroke and wattage.
So in a nutshell, ride the road bike to improve your aero strength on the race bike.
For example yesterday, rode 68 on the Silverman course. Lots of climbing and wind. Probably around 5000 feet. On the Nishiki. Must admit, I was shelled after that. I am in early Base. Had to bag the t-run. Took a nap. Went to the pool and had a very good 3500 yard workout. Today, long run but first a 20 mile ride on the QR, E3 132 HR, around 240 watts then a 12 mile run, E3 135 HR at 8:30 pace. So, ride both bikes year-round, but more on the road. But am always ready to ride the QR.
Conrad
They all vary. Pretty well known that some (Peter Reid for ex) rides a lot of road, MTN, cyclocross, etc. then jumps back on the tri back a bit before a race. I remember reading that Stadler does NOT do this though and likes to ride his tri bike as much as possible.
Normann is also well known for riding with the guys from T-Mobile, and I’m sure they wouldn’t let him do this on his tri bike. What percentage of his season this represents, however, is unclear.
but does he do squats? 
Good one, I laughed out loud!!!
I recall Steve Larsen once said he spent more than 85% of his time on his road bike but being a former roadie, maybe he is not typical.
He is not typical. 85% of his riding time means around 2.5 hours a week.
Shawn,
Normann spends most of the winter on his road bike. As most of these miles are long and slow, he enjoys his arsenal of road bikes, Kredo and Kahn. When the pedestrian miles are finished is the time when he gets on the Kalibur. From April to July, he spends 80% of his riding on the Kalibur with 20% on road. Once July comes, 100% on the Kalibur!!!
Paul
Interesting, thanks.