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RACE BIKE vs TRAINING BIKE

1K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  muscleendurance 
#1 ·
I have been battling a dilemma lately, it seemd that I have been getting better results on my training bike than I have on my so -called race bike. I have these 2 bikes almost set up exactly, but cannot duplicate them. One is a Std Frame , while my race bike is a Compact Frame. My seat ht is the same as well as my reach to the drops. For whatever reason, I seem to ride better on my training bike. I am wondering...should I race and train on the same bike? They both weigh about the same.

Bike 1- Connondale R3000 CAAD7 SZ 56 9 Speed/ultegra/ krysiums/training bk

Bike 2 Specialed S Works- Dura Ace/ 10spd/Zipp 404's carbon stem/seatpost/ race bk
 
#3 ·
It's the legs baby.
Unless one of the bikes doesn't fit right.
 
#5 ·
A thought.

TS2213 said:
I have been battling a dilemma lately, it seemd that I have been getting better results on my training bike than I have on my so -called race bike.
I don't know if by 'results' you mean race results only and race your training bike as well as your race bike. But if you don't, your problem may have nothing to do with the bikes. When I raced many years ago, I went through a 3-month period of doing really well on training rides, but not performing well at all in competition. Because of overtraining (actually, more like "bad training"), I had lost my desire to compete and had become what we used to call a "training ride champion." After some rest and good training advice, my competitive spirit came back and the problem went away.
 
#6 ·
wim said:
I don't know if by 'results' you mean race results only and race your training bike as well as your race bike.
Yeah, if it's finishing position in the bunch then the OP is saying that his race bike is somehow jinxed?!

Otherwise if you (the OP) is putting out quantifiably better numbers on the C/dale the only difference between 2 high end bikes like these will be the fit. And the wheels. Ultegra 9 vs. Dura-Ace 10 = no difference.

If that's the case put a 9 speed cassette on the zipps and only ride the canondale (mavics for training, zipps for racing) and sell off the Specialised. Or, if you want to keep the 10speed, switch the DA with ultegra, put a 10speed cassette on he mavics and do the same thing (only ride the c/dale; mavics for training, zipps for racing and sell specialised now with ultegra).

FWIW the idea of a training bike is a really cheap POS that you can pound on in bad weather ladden with a heavy saddle bag, pump etc and sweat and puke all over on the stationary trainer in the winter without so much as a care. Your Canondale doesn't really fit that bill.
 
#7 ·
After noticing this percieved difference in performance, I finally brought my Specialized to my LBS and had it fitted...apparantly, my seat was 1" too high and set back 1" . Don't ask me how that happened. All I can think of, my LBS did a complete overhaul this winter and I am wondering if they removed the seat from the post? And then forgot or removed their reference point. I only rode this bike on Race Day, and with my races only being an hour. I didn't immeditately notice the diff. My adrenaline mst have clouded my feeling on bike. But the lack of leverage...could not be disputed.
 
#9 ·
I finally put on a set of 'traing wheels' so I can make sure I am "dialed in" on the bike. It looks riding two bikes might have been a mistake. I have logged 100 of hours on my training bike and 4 on my so- called Race Bike.

I will save my Cannondale for days my Specialized is unavailable.
 
#11 ·
I understand race and training bikes, but really, you should put miles on your race bike. You are doing no damage to your race bike by riding on nice days. Your wheels maybe another matter, but you should really get used to riding your race bike, and not just on race day either. That way you are definitely sure you are dialed in and your body is used to the bike and its geometry.

Back in the day when funny bikes just came out, many novices would buy these crazy aero bikes, and think they would smoke the competition only to wear out quickly. They trained all season on their regular bikes, and they were not used to riding in the aero position, the muscles they used were different, their breathing was different. Now I know you have the both dialed in similarly, but its a similar concept.
 
#12 ·
crispy010 said:
1 inch is huge man, I'm surprised you could even pedal.

Incidentally, that's why I do all my own maintenance.
or you could just mark the heights with tape? :blush2:
 
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