Wow…this was the first race I can compare my old times and as they relate to other athletes as I use my new RC’s. Well, at the ripe old age of 50 I just had the 7th fastest bike time of the entire race!! No one beeat me by more then 1 minute. Of course, first in my age group. I’ve always been quite fast in my age group on the bike but never 1:30 faster then the 2nd place guy over an 11.5 mile course.
To put this in perspective you’ll also need to know that I was using this as a training day for the State TT tomorrow afternoon. The heart rate never went over 160. It was very difficult to hold back but I wanted to do well tomorrow. So, when I just saw the results and I won the bike leg by 1:30 while “going easy”…well they just better lookout next month at the 3rd race in the series when I get to “really race”!
I’ve had 2 sets of RC’s on my TT bikes for about 3-4 months. One set on the training bike and one set on the race bike. I rode the training bike today and saved the race bike for tomorrow’s State TT.
I sold both my DA 180mm cranksets after about 6 weeks of riding RC’s.
I ride nothing but RC’s except on the road bike which only gets used a few times per year and I don’t want to spend the bucks for RC’s on a bike that only gets used that much.
What was your average speed and the overall winners average speed? Not dissing you, just looking for perspective as I know how hard it is to be a fast 50 yo.
Not cheating…I’m sure the UCI would not allow any equipment that would allow a cyclist to cheat. These are UCI approved. Try 'em…you’ll like 'em!! I’ve also stated in previous posts that these cranks are not for everyone. If your pedaling style will not adapt to them…oh well…too bad for you!! : )
If your pedaling style will not adapt to them…oh well…too bad for you!! : )
You know, I’ve heard sentiment before, but I’ve never heard exactly what this ideal RC pedalling style is. After one ride on them, I’m not savy enough to figure it out. So what is your style, and why do they work for that style?
By the way, I just got back from my first RC ride. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW.
The fastest biker was not the overall winner, but, my average was 23.5 and the #1 biker was 24.5. The overall winners bike average was 23.9 (30 yrs old).
I just recounted and I actually placed 8th, not 7th,… my bad.
I’ll post my TT results tomorrow. I’m feeling a tad pooped right now. I’ve drank alot and eaten 3 huge meals today to recover for tomorrow, but getting up at 4:00am to race today may take its toll on this old guy!!!
I was trying to spin faster then my real style should be. I’m more of a masher. The RC’s have slowed my cadence to match my run cadence. I have long legs (37" inseam) and feel better at a slower cadence. I’m still trying to get used to the slower cadence even though I KNOW I’m faster with it, its hard to change back after years of trying to spin.
I do LOTS of one leg drills…this also seems to help adapt to the RC’s.
I’m also running faster off the bike then before. I believe its due to the matching cadence.
Great Job!!. I think their biggest benefit in a shorter tri is the lack of fatigue going into the run. Quicker out of transitions and into racing speed without that “I’m running drunk on mashmallows” feeling. Did a 24:30 first 4 miler, 22 mi bike, then 25:09 2nd 4 miler in a local duathlon this year. Thought I was dying in the 2nd one, but the legs were fine. Consensus: Rotorcranks is dope!
If you are from Fla, the fastest biker was the fastest on the first run leg, but lost 30 sec on the second run. Ended second overall. I train with him, he’s double tough.
The guy that took second was a 28:19 bike split. There were 3 guys at 28:11. One was the top Clyde and one was the top master, the thrid was in the 30 age group. The second place guy was the 4th fastest biker.
The RC’s felt good after just a week or two. But, then you realize that it’s going to take a bit longer to get them to work correctly and adapt your muscles ad pedal stroke. I’m VERY comfortable after a few months…about 3 was good. At first you’ll find that you can’t ride a regular crank after using the RC’s for a month or so, then things change and I’m now able to use my regular cranks, too, without a problem. I have regular cranks on my seldom used road bike and RC’s on both my TT bikes that I use nearly every day.
I’ll be changing the settings on one of the bikes. My training bike was set one mark higher then the middle mark. My race bike is on the middle mark and I don’t like it…I’ll be switching the race bike to the one higher setting.