Can cycle computers inhibit TT performance?

[Toks]

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/cycle-computers-could-lead-to-underperformance-19628]Yes or No[/url]

[Marek]

I did my fastest ten mile TT this year on the EG course and it was the first time I did one without a HRM/Computer. I am in the Yes camp.

Cheers

Marek.....

[Andrew G]

Various people do "scientific" experiments (the inverted comas as often conditions and other factors, like repeated tests rather than just one or two runs, don't get mentioned which could also effect the time recorded for the test runs) and throw this up in the air. Personally I think both yes and no, it can depend on the distance.

Short TTs like 10s and 25s - "naked" (i.e. no computer or any other techie stuff). A 10 is an all out effort so what do you need to look at a computer for? You should be going as hard as you can from start to finish. In a 25 it's a very hard effort just knocking back a bit from a 10 but still going as fast as you can. There can be a problem if you set a target time in say a 25 that you know the average speed needed to get that and can ride to the computer, could possibly have gone quicker without reigning yourself back in to the computer.

Slightly theory rather than personal experience as I've had a computer on my bike, that said I don't look at it in a 10 and just glance at the speed occasionally in a 25. To start with next year I'm not going to bother with a computer for shorter TTs to remove any distraction and see how it goes. Personally I think It'll have no effect or I'll go better.

For 50s and up it can be useful for pacing to avoid going out too hard and blowing up. Either computer on average speed or a schedule taped to your stem (oo-er misses) for times at set distances. Can be helpful then to keep a smooth even paced run.

Dominic has probably been the most consistently fast 25 miler this season with a shed load of very fast times and I know he's said he doesn't use a computer.

The tests run for these things are normally only over short distances so this pacing doesn't become an issue. This test was only over a 20km TT. I also note that different people were doing different runs and no true comparison of the same athletes doing the same TT but receiving different info or none. Even then there would be issues raised about the athlete getting used to the course, basing effort on previous runs, etc.

[Toks]

Andew, I've never tried it but have you ever used the average speed feature on a cycle computer to govern your effort for say a 25 (e.g keep above 25mph). Someone I know who is mainly a Road Racer swears by that approach

[George]

below 50 miles yes

[Robh]

Train with or without they all have one thing in common you still have to use your brain...

[Andrew G]

[quote="Toks"]Andew, I've never tried it but have you ever used the average speed feature on a cycle computer to govern your effort for say a 25 (e.g keep above 25mph). Someone I know who is mainly a Road Racer swears by that approach

[Ivor]

Dunno I found it useful simply to see that I still wasn't getting my average high enough.... although it was reassuring to see the average increasing each time.
Certainly never "reigning myself in" to the numbers... not an issue with my times!

[Dominic]

Two reasons that I don't really:

1. I read an article by Dave Lloyd who stated that when TT racing you should be concentrating on going fast at that particular point and nothing else.

2. Most importantly I have tried and numbers make no difference to me. I find myself thinking I can't be going that slow as I am trying really hard or conversley, am I going that fast, I'll blow up, never be able to keep it up etc. It is the one thing that puts me off a power meter as I don't think I would pay attention to what it was telling me which defeats the point I suppose.

As mentioned, horses for courses really.

[Stu Merckx Man]

from my vast time trial experience over the last 2 years, about 3 or 4 in total, ive never bothered looking at speed or anything because for me its only about constant power. as in i push as hard going up a hill as i do going down.

i do use a hrm though, as i know roughly what sort of heart rates i can sustain for 20 minutes, and then i try and stay in there so i dont go to hard or soft.

[Antloony]

[quote="Stu Merckx Man"]and then i try and stay in there so i dont go to hard or soft.

[Ivor]

[quote="Stu Merckx Man"]i try and stay in there so i dont go too hard or soft.

[Ivor]

[quote="Antloony"]

[Andrew G]

, you don't want too hard when perched on the end of your saddle .

If you have problems like that maybe you should invest in an Adamo saddle...
[img]http://www2.trainingbible.com/joesblog/uploaded_images/AdamoSaddle2-782541.jpg[/img]

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I think the speed/average can lead to a reduction in some TT's, especially if they are 'optimistically setup' and really for 10's they are irrelevant - 25's maybe

However, for me, 25 and above the essential is a HRM for pacing effort. I find time, distance and speed useful in making calculations along the way to keep me focussed on riding the TT. Knowing that I was going to go 'under' for the 50 encouraged me to push into the red on the way back, where I probably wouldn't have tried so hard.

Guru P