Why do trainer climbing blocks exist?
11-29-10, 04:03 PM
#128
Has coddling tendencies.
11-29-10, 05:01 PM
#129
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like this: https://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Stack...0927504&sr=8-6
It clearly says that this is used to level the bike and/or raise the bike up to "simulate climbing workouts." I'm pretty sure that's impossible.
I'm in college to be a mechanical engineer and I like to believe I have a firm grasp on how physics works and interactions between forces. On a trainer, the resistance is provided by the magnets/fluid in the trainer, and raising the front wheel should have zero effect on the resistance. You could even be riding a vertical bike on a trainer and it should be the same workout.
Now, I know CycleOps employs many engineers to design these things (plus every other trainer manufacturer out there), and I don't believe they would sell and market a product that absolutely does not perform its function. Am I missing something? or is this a full blown marketing scam?
It clearly says that this is used to level the bike and/or raise the bike up to "simulate climbing workouts." I'm pretty sure that's impossible.
I'm in college to be a mechanical engineer and I like to believe I have a firm grasp on how physics works and interactions between forces. On a trainer, the resistance is provided by the magnets/fluid in the trainer, and raising the front wheel should have zero effect on the resistance. You could even be riding a vertical bike on a trainer and it should be the same workout.
Now, I know CycleOps employs many engineers to design these things (plus every other trainer manufacturer out there), and I don't believe they would sell and market a product that absolutely does not perform its function. Am I missing something? or is this a full blown marketing scam?
Best BF response in a while.
11-29-10, 05:06 PM
#130
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like this: https://www.amazon.com/CycleOps-Stack...0927504&sr=8-6
It clearly says that this is used to level the bike and/or raise the bike up to "simulate climbing workouts." I'm pretty sure that's impossible.
I'm in college to be a mechanical engineer and I like to believe I have a firm grasp on how physics works and interactions between forces. On a trainer, the resistance is provided by the magnets/fluid in the trainer, and raising the front wheel should have zero effect on the resistance. You could even be riding a vertical bike on a trainer and it should be the same workout.
Now, I know CycleOps employs many engineers to design these things (plus every other trainer manufacturer out there), and I don't believe they would sell and market a product that absolutely does not perform its function. Am I missing something? or is this a full blown marketing scam?
It clearly says that this is used to level the bike and/or raise the bike up to "simulate climbing workouts." I'm pretty sure that's impossible.
I'm in college to be a mechanical engineer and I like to believe I have a firm grasp on how physics works and interactions between forces. On a trainer, the resistance is provided by the magnets/fluid in the trainer, and raising the front wheel should have zero effect on the resistance. You could even be riding a vertical bike on a trainer and it should be the same workout.
Now, I know CycleOps employs many engineers to design these things (plus every other trainer manufacturer out there), and I don't believe they would sell and market a product that absolutely does not perform its function. Am I missing something? or is this a full blown marketing scam?
Even a liberal arts major would know that the pressure on you hands changes with the inclination of the bike. Riding the trainer with the bike tilted down is uncomfortable. I've never tried riding with the front wheel elevated but I know it would feel different and would be a little closer to the feeling you get when climbing. That's all anyone here is saying.
Arguing that you can't feel a difference is ridiculous. If the frame of reference remains fixed then, of course, the position of the handlebars, seat etc changes wrt the CoG of the bike and rider as the bike is rotated.
Arguing that you can't feel a difference is ridiculous. If the frame of reference remains fixed then, of course, the position of the handlebars, seat etc changes wrt the CoG of the bike and rider as the bike is rotated.
11-29-10, 05:07 PM
#131
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11-29-10, 05:15 PM
#132
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11-29-10, 06:36 PM
#137
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11-29-10, 06:52 PM
#138
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11-29-10, 07:07 PM
#139
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I just think it's lazy thinking.
if someone in real life had asked me this question I would simply tell them to go and place some blocks under their wheel and ride the trainer for an hour. Then do the same workout with the bike level. Report back anything that they noticed. If nothing, then you have your answer, if something, then you also have your answer.
There doesn't have to be any theoretical exercise. It's such a simple process.
I am willing to bet that if the same thing happened here on BF and I said precisely the same thing, I would get resistance and arguing and then get called a jerk or an elitist or whatever. Laziness.
People just want others to do their homework for them.
if someone in real life had asked me this question I would simply tell them to go and place some blocks under their wheel and ride the trainer for an hour. Then do the same workout with the bike level. Report back anything that they noticed. If nothing, then you have your answer, if something, then you also have your answer.
There doesn't have to be any theoretical exercise. It's such a simple process.
I am willing to bet that if the same thing happened here on BF and I said precisely the same thing, I would get resistance and arguing and then get called a jerk or an elitist or whatever. Laziness.
People just want others to do their homework for them.
11-29-10, 07:41 PM
#140
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I can't believe I read through this whole thread. Does anyone actually lift the front wheel of their bike on a trainer to force themselves into their climbing position? I would think that the grade would have to be well over 10% before you really could notice a physiological effect.
11-29-10, 07:44 PM
#141
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I really think most people do it for psychological not physiological reasons.
11-29-10, 07:45 PM
#142
stole your bike
I just think it's lazy thinking.
if someone in real life had asked me this question I would simply tell them to go and place some blocks under their wheel and ride the trainer for an hour. Then do the same workout with the bike level. Report back anything that they noticed. If nothing, then you have your answer, if something, then you also have your answer.
There doesn't have to be any theoretical exercise. It's such a simple process.
I am willing to bet that if the same thing happened here on BF and I said precisely the same thing, I would get resistance and arguing and then get called a jerk or an elitist or whatever. Laziness.
People just want others to do their homework for them.
if someone in real life had asked me this question I would simply tell them to go and place some blocks under their wheel and ride the trainer for an hour. Then do the same workout with the bike level. Report back anything that they noticed. If nothing, then you have your answer, if something, then you also have your answer.
There doesn't have to be any theoretical exercise. It's such a simple process.
I am willing to bet that if the same thing happened here on BF and I said precisely the same thing, I would get resistance and arguing and then get called a jerk or an elitist or whatever. Laziness.
People just want others to do their homework for them.
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11-29-10, 07:46 PM
#143
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Yes, I read everyone's answers (i.e. listened to their answers), and as I already stated, umd answered my questions. How other people managed to turn this into a 5 page argument, I'll never know.
11-29-10, 07:50 PM
#144
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Some answered it before me, but I think I may have boiled it down a little simplier.
11-29-10, 07:58 PM
#146
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I can't believe I read through this whole thread. Does anyone actually lift the front wheel of their bike on a trainer to force themselves into their climbing position? I would think that the grade would have to be well over 10% before you really could notice a physiological effect.
11-29-10, 09:34 PM
#147
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So to simulate the physiology during climbing at what degree should that be. In real life a 10% gradient is no laughing matter. I am already pegged at 23t or 26 when it is 7.5 or even 7% constant on a real road. So what then 20 degrees -- what is that even in grade %. I know it is more than the steepest road in PA or SF. I also stand up on flat ground for sprinting a lot. I have even done it on mild descents. I certainly can do it on a "level" trainer, no need to raise from "level"
It seems to me that CycleOps should just say: "This block is necessary for your comfort on the bike rather than saying it is to simulate climbing"
11-29-10, 10:21 PM
#149
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