GPS HEAD UNIT ROUNDUP – PART II – 01/2016
GPS HEAD UNIT ROUNDUP – PART II 01/2016 A QUICK & DIRTY WAY TO GET YOUR FTP Functional Threshold Power is defined as “your ability to sustain the highest possible power output over 60 minutes.” Since it’s hard to find a road that has no traffic lights, stop signs, traffic, etc., a more popular definition is defined as “your ability to sustain the highest possible power output over 20 minutes, then multiply that number by 0.95”. Once calculated, it is easy to determine your training zones as %FTP. A training plan is then created based on the athlete’s goals and each workout is based on the %FTP value. For a more detailed description, see http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/what-is-threshold-power , and https://trainingbible.com/joesblog/2009/09/functional-threshold.html For those interested in working with a coach to help you train, please contact bikefitnesscoaching@gmail.com where we will work with you to help you achieve your goals! It hasn’t been until recently that you have had to use one of the higher-end, higher-cost, full-mapping capability GPS head units to obtain your FTP. Most of the GPS head-units tested in this roundup...
Read More
GPS HEAD UNIT ROUNDUP – PART I – 12/2015...
GPS HEAD UNIT ROUNDUP – PART I – 12/2015 When interviewing a new client, the first order of business and, most important item is to discuss their goals. What do they want to achieve, what do they want to accomplish and when? Next, we discuss all of the associated costs, both money and time … hard costs for coaching, power meters, head units, better equipment, bike fits, etc., as well as virtual costs associated with being out on the road training while others are sitting around the kitchen table eating dinner. We next discuss budget and then come up with a game plan. One of the mandatory hard costs is a power meter, the other is a good head unit. As a USAC Level 2 coach, I require all of my clients to have these two items. When discussing power meters, we discuss what’s currently on the market, what’s new, what are the best power meter(s) for their requirements, pros and cons, pluses and minuses, advantages and disadvantages and most importantly, how to use them when...
Read More
THE BEST CYCLING SPECIFIC INSOLE? PART II
THE BEST CYCLING SPECIFIC INSOLE? PART II As soon as all of the insoles arrived, I placed each pair on a digital scale. I tried to orient them so that both the top and bottom is shown. This was the start of the Insole comparison chart that you saw in Part I. I have also included an updated chart below. Manufacturers are listed along the left column along with their cycling insole product(s). Several manufacturers also sent along their running insole equivalents which will not be evaluated or tested for this article. The other columns fleshed out (a) whether or not they are heat moldable, (b) do they include a metatarsal pad and if so, how tall/large, (c) forefoot padding thickness, (d) weight of the insoles, (e) MSRP, (f) and the all-important rating. I have also included the manufacturers website for your convenience. Please note: Reviews and Product Scoring are based on how each of these insoles fit my feet. I have high arches with a fairly non-flexible foot. Your results may differ. Also, the...
Read More
THE BEST CYCLING SPECIFIC INSOLE? PART I
THE BEST CYCLING SPECIFIC INSOLE? PART I A while ago, I did several tests and authored several articles on insoles, including Shimano’s new insole for their SH-R320 and follow on SH-R321, as well as an indepth test and writeup on G8 Performance’s 2600 PRO and IGNITE insoles. All three of these insoles have held up pretty well but are now starting to show major signs of wearing out. As a professional bike fitter and USAC Level 2 cycling coach, I see clients almost every day. Two things that most have in common are (a) worn out cleats and (b) worn out insoles. I have decided that it is in my clients best interest that I carry both of these items so we don’t have to stop the bike fit while they run all over town to find some cleats and insoles. The cleats are easy. 90% of my clients have Shimano pedals, 5% Look and 5% Speedplay. Insoles on the other hand have proven to be significantly more complicated to evaluate. The reasons are many and are discussed below....
Read More
To ICE or NOT to ICE?
There’s been several articles lately, including from Dr. Mirkin which state that ice is not the recommended treatment for the athlete anymore. Re-reading these articles, they appear to be more in-line with an athlete that has torn something and not referring to, for example, a cyclist that has had a hard workout and needs to recover as quickly as possible for the next training session. I have spoken to several Doctor’s of Physical Therapy, DPT’s, and they said that this non-icing belief has come from people doing it wrong. Here’s what one Physical Therapist had to say, “The debate over ice is because many people use it the wrong way. When you break down muscle after exercising or tear any structures in the body it needs to heal. The healing process takes blood to the area in order to bring the area nutrients the body needs to heal/recover. This blood creates swelling. This swelling is good TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. If there is too much swelling it can actually prolong the healing time resulting from an injury. Ice helps...
Read More
Alternatives to Chamois Cream – that Really Work...
ALTERNATIVES TO CHAMOIS CREAM In cycling, one product that never gets discussed much is Chamois Cream. Chamois used to be made out of real leather, and, after washing and drying your cycling kit, the chamois had the same consistency as a piece of rawhide. You needed a good cream that would soften the leather enough to be able to use the shorts for your next ride. Fast forward to today, chamois are made from variable thickness foam layers capped with a synthetic material to match the cyclists needs whether that be touring, racing, off-road, etc. Chamois creams have also evolved, from moistening leather that has been dried to a cardboard-like texture to being used as an anti-bacterial skin emollient. Today, there are a lot of different Chamois Creams on the market and all of them work pretty well. To name a few; Since I’m always looking for alternatives or anything that’s better, I have found and tested 2 products that work very well and are worth mentioning. These two products might not have the anti-bacterial and/or anti-fungal properties of...
Read More