Strength and cycling controversy - Page 12

Originally Posted by WarrenG

140 rpm's in the first few seconds off a standing start...? That might be better, but give it a try and I think you'll see that your technique will influence the outcome.

Originally Posted by acoggan

Basically in whatever manner consistently produces the highest value. That is, like VO2max maximal neuromuscular power is a physiological characteristic, and hence within certain limits is indepedent of the means by which it is determined.

To be more specific: to achieve maximal power requires reaching optimal cadence very quickly, before any significant muscle fatigue can develop - IOW, you need to "get on top of the gear" almost immediately. Provided you can do so (e.g., by performing a standing start in a very low gear, e.g., 39x17, or by coasting downhill to build up significant speed before initiating your sprint in a more normal gear), however, the power you produce will be independent of gear selection, whether you're going uphill or downhill, etc. The only thing that really makes a difference is whether you're seated or standing (see http://home.earthlink.net/~acoggan/s...ing/index.html, in particular Fig. 2 but also the citation at the end of the article). Since the data in the power profiling table came from standing starts, you therefore might want to also using standing data, although in fact the difference isn't so large as to have a huge impact on your "profile".

Originally Posted by velomanct

Ok, that helps. My best 5 second readings come from when I do a standing start in my 53x19 and shift. Or when I go into a ~12% 'hill' at around 25mph and nail the hill. Either way, average cadence of those best 5 seconds is usually 110-115rpms out of the saddle. Best single second peaks have usually been on slight downhills, or on a flat imediately after a small downhill - where I'm able to go in my 53x15 from a good speed without having worked much at all before my jump.

Originally Posted by Billsworld

I have the best solution for all of this. Train hard! Pick brains of experienced riders. Find way to get bike past 40 mph. The pre power meter way.

Originally Posted by WarrenG

As you say, speed is very important. If you have access to a track, with the ability to time yourself over various distances and do plenty of racing then you can see changes in your total performance better than you can just by looking at your powermeter. But if you must look for changes when you're away from a track...

Originally Posted by WarrenG

Only in your mind.

Originally Posted by WarrenG

The people who do, or may do the events (should) care most about what they need to do to prepare themselves for their best performance, not the entire population.

Originally Posted by WarrenG

Individual training for individual needs is best.

Originally Posted by WarrenG

In the face of clear evidence that shows your opinion

Originally Posted by WarrenG

to be contrary to the real world examples I provided this is what you come up with. Figures.

Originally Posted by WarrenG

IME, this is not true for everyone. We each have cadence ranges where we can produce our highest peak power and from a standing start there will be too much fatigue before some of us get up to the cadence where we can produce our highest peak power.

Originally Posted by Billsworld

Or do a standing start in whatever gear you want...makes sense.

Originally Posted by acoggan

Not "whatever gear you want", because if the gear is too large your muscles will begin to fatigue before you reach optimal cadence. Unless you're very powerful, you have to use a surprisingly small gear to reach max power during a standing start.

Originally Posted by Billsworld

I would kill to make 2000 watts in a 53x15 @115 rpm.

Originally Posted by RapDaddyo

I agree with this statement. I experimented with TT starts and eventually settled on my small ring and a pretty small gear because I could get up to speed so much more quickly, even with gear changes.