Hopefully, my quads will adapt to the extra work, and I’ll be faster
Interesting comment Titan, what do you mean exactly. The reason I ask is because I find my quads take a real beating on the steep configuration (really steep P2 with post turned round and seat forward) but conventional wisdom tells me I use more quad in a traditional road position (which I tend to ride in more often then in the steep) since the knees are behind the pedal axle. So if you fire up your glutes how does this engage your quads more. BTW I ride faster in steep and low then shallow, but my quads really suffer.
I think that one reason that I wouldn’t rush out and buy a softride is the fear of spending a big chunk of cash on a frame type that I hadn’t ridden before. I’ve been contemplating a beamed bike for a while since I had back problems when I was 18 and now that I’m much older than that and racing longer courses the theories behind the frame make sense to me. The fact that there are so few dealers around and having never ridden one would probably mean that I’d try to find an old and cheap used one somewhere and try it out for an extended test ride to make sure that I liked it before rushing out to buy a new Rocket Fastt.
SS wrote: if you fire up your glutes how does this engage your quads more.
When gluteal muscles contract, and therefore provide a force that tries to move the thigh away from the front side of your body, the quads have to at least stablize the knee joint, or that gluteal power would be wasted. IOW, without strong enough quads, stronger gluteal contraction isn’t used as efficiently as possible. Of course, the calf muscles have to be up for the increased pressure refered down the chain from the hip and knee from increased gluteal force, too. It’s a lot like core strength. It doesn’t do a whole lot of good to have strong legs, if your core stabilizers aren’t able to effectively handle that leg power to brace against, while your legs are attempting to drive your pedals downward. It’s a balancing act, and increasing power in one part affects the other parts.
I have very over developed quads due to years of playing and training for rugby and my max leg press is just under 750lbs. I have been trying to anaylse the power production cycle in a pedal stroke and why my quads take such a pounding in the steep position and I thought it was because peak power production was attained between 4 and 6 o`clock where as in a typical road position (in my case with the pedal 2cms infront of my knee) the power cycle is larger somewhere between 2 and 6. My thinking was the difference in the power production cycle was what caused the quad over use.
I’m also one who ended up buying a Titanflex, several years ago. I rented a Softride, even used it in a race. I then used a Titanflex loaner, including in a race. The best comparison I can give is that a Softride is like a Cadillac, heavy with plush, cushy suspension. The Titanflex is like a sports car – quick with a tight suspension that is tuneable with a choice of suspension beams with varying rigidity. I prefer to race in a fast, quick sports car. Additionally, the Titanflex has an extremely stable front-end when down in the aero position. I just finished a 140 mile ride today in Colorado. There were some terrific winds. I was very glad to have that stability.
Just read the Inside Tri mag last night. My question is why Softride wasn’t in the bike section anywhere? Do you have to pay the mag before they include it in the review?
I would think any bike manufacturer would go the extra mile to get “ink time” in any of the tri magazines.
Same offer I made above to ‘letter’: You’re welcome to try out my TitanFlex sometime. Or if you’re heading towards Ottawa, there’s a chap up there who would let you ride his.
I’m also one who ended up buying a Titanflex, several years ago. I rented a Softride, even used it in a race. I then used a Titanflex loaner, including in a race. The best comparison I can give is that a Softride is like a Cadillac, heavy with plush, cushy suspension. The Titanflex is like a sports car – quick with a tight suspension that is tuneable with a choice of suspension beams with varying rigidity. I prefer to race in a fast, quick sports car. Additionally, the Titanflex has an extremely stable front-end when down in the aero position. I just finished a 140 mile ride today in Colorado. There were some terrific winds. I was very glad to have that stability.
I have a Rocket R1 and it’s the most comfortable bike I’ve ridden and my best races have come off of it. I am going to have some compact cranks installed this Spring.
