Why hardly any HR monitors on TdF riders?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,435
Bikes: Colnago, Cervelo, Scott
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 191 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Why hardly any HR monitors on TdF riders?
Is it a comfort thing? I would think the data would still be useful. Most teams have power, but why no HR monitors?
#2
Voice of the Industry
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,572
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
Because they train when needed with HR monitor and know their heart rate when in the battle...or close enough. They don't ride with their cadence nos. showing on their computer either.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Eagleville, PA
Posts: 67
Bikes: 2008 Trek 1.2 (Blah)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Most likely this. When you're at that elite level of riding(or any sport for that matter) you know your body pretty well. After years and years of running, I'm pretty good at telling you how fast my stride is or telling you at what level my body is working. I never wear a heart rate monitor, but I can tell you with decent accuracy what my HR is.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Because power is a much better metric than HR.
#7
Pretty rigid member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The 951
Posts: 506
Bikes: Sycip Unleaded, Raleigh SS, Trek 1.5, IF Crown Jewel, QR Kilo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would imagine this is so they can focus on the race, the other riders and the strategy instead of training data.
#8
W**** B*
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Central IL (Chambana)
Posts: 992
Bikes: Several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have the fifth page on my Garmin 500 set up for "race". It has power, speed, distance, cadence. (Distance replaced HR.)
When I took off HR and found that I can push harder for longer. I don't look at it much during a race (not at all in a crit) but even that quick glance during a road race is enough to freak me out during a harder effort.
As to why the Pros don't use it... I'm watching Stage 9 right now, and I see five guys with jerseys unzipped, only one is missing a HRM. I know that's too small of a sample, but I'd guess more have them than don't. Power is the best metric for how you're performing, but having all of the data available after the race for analysis would be important. "Why did I feel like crap on that climb?" .... "Oh, my power numbers were only slightly lower, but my HR was up 10bpm." I remember an article back in the day where Lance would use a thermometer in pill form during training to get extra data to help optimize technique.
When I took off HR and found that I can push harder for longer. I don't look at it much during a race (not at all in a crit) but even that quick glance during a road race is enough to freak me out during a harder effort.
As to why the Pros don't use it... I'm watching Stage 9 right now, and I see five guys with jerseys unzipped, only one is missing a HRM. I know that's too small of a sample, but I'd guess more have them than don't. Power is the best metric for how you're performing, but having all of the data available after the race for analysis would be important. "Why did I feel like crap on that climb?" .... "Oh, my power numbers were only slightly lower, but my HR was up 10bpm." I remember an article back in the day where Lance would use a thermometer in pill form during training to get extra data to help optimize technique.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,435
Bikes: Colnago, Cervelo, Scott
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 191 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I understand not using it during the race, but I'm sure the data would be useful for analysis after the stage for the coaches/strategy/etc.?
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
Posts: 5,932
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Moved from Road to Pro.
#12
Professional Fuss-Budget
Some of them do. E.g. https://www.trainingpeaks.com/av/63OI...TCCUW2RO7GK3SQ
I'd guess the riders who don't use HRM's are looking at watts and/or subjectively judging effort, and know how much they can push.
I'd guess the riders who don't use HRM's are looking at watts and/or subjectively judging effort, and know how much they can push.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Nick Bain
"The 33"-Road Bike Racing
22
05-03-11 03:55 PM