Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season It’s that time of the year and in addition to offering gift certificates and gift cards in the dollar denomination of your choice, we have compiled a list of the latest tech gadgets and helpful products that can deliver a smile to your cyclist’s face all year long. …
Here at Fit Werx our goal is to provide the most consistent builds possible. All bicycles from Fit Werx are designed to provide their owners with the best possible long-term ownership experience and to require as little adjustments as possible. Below we will detail what goes into our Pro Build step by step to show…
My coach wants me to start using a power meter when riding so that we can track my progress in the coming season in hopes that I can race more consistently. The two main options that I have found are PowerTap and SRM. There looks to be a pretty big price difference between these two….
While everything from fans to magnets are used to create resistance in cycling trainers for 2008, fluid or centrifugal force are much better methods. At around $300, these three units offer some of the smoothest and most progressive resistance available; regardless of price, they are the heart of the value equation in trainers for most…
What is Performance Analysis? Performance Analysis uses quantifiable computer data to improve your efficiency and speed through positioning. Your efficiency and speed on a bicycle is determined by four main variables: power, oxygen transfer, technique and aerodynamics. You don’t want to just maximize one at the expense of the others. Instead, you want to find…
Because I work with a large range of athletes, from pros and top age groupers to people buying their first road or tri bike, I thought a bit of perspective on positioning might be helpful as there is a lot of often contradictory information about proper positioning and fit technicians out there. Many industry triathlon…
By Ian Buchanan Much of the bicycle industry has done a good job of creating the impression that different materials offer different ride characteristics. Aluminum is supposed to be stiff and light, but is also known for diminished durability and harsh ride quality; Titanium is supposed to be light, durable, comfortable and compliant, but a…
Frame Geometry and Handling – Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Frame Geometry and Handling: Intangibile. The bottom line: A bike’s geometry and design combines with your position on it plays a large role in how comfortable you are on the bike, how stable the bike is, and how well it…
Weight of Bicycle – Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Weight of Bicycle: ≈08% of overall energy/power consumption The bottom line: First, never forget that you the rider are 85-95% of the total vehicle’s weight – the bike and components are only 5-15%. Bicycle weight plays a comparatively small role in…
Rolling Resistance Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Rolling Resistance: ≈10% of overall power/energy consumption The bottom line: Rolling resistance is affected by friction caused by the weight of the vehicle (bike and rider) and how much of that weight has to be absorbed by the tires while riding. Rolling resistance…
Stiffness & Compliance – Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Stiffness and Vertical Compliance: ≈15% of overall energy/power use The bottom line: Unless a design uses an effective suspension system, side-to-side stiffness and vertical compliance/comfort will be directly linked. In almost a 1:1 ratio and regardless of material, as a frame…
Bicycle Aerodynamics Energy and Power use breakdown* % of total power consumption: Aerodynamics Total (combination of rider aerodynamics and bike aerodynamics) – 65-85% Total Bicycle Aerodynamics ≈15% of total power use and ≈25% of total aerodynamics Wheels – 5-9% of total aerodynamics Fork – 6-9% of total aerodynamics Frame – 4%-9% of total aerodynamics Other…