George

I heard a few people mention that they went to racing school and the first week was spent in the granny gear and in the drops, spinning. What is the purpose of doing this? Thanks

Hida Yanra

getting the RPMs up, while in the drops.
It might come in handy if you wanted to say... sprint.

George

The reason I asked this question, I've been getting chafing on my inside thigh and groin area and after trying for quit some time what the cause was. Anyhow I ran into a fitter this past week that told me that my right leg was all over the place. On the upstroke I was close to hitting the TT and on the down stroke I would be swinging my knee out pass the pedal. I know I have to practice a better pedal stroke, but I didn't know what the one in question would do. I put a varus wedge in the right shoe and that seems to help.

ZeCanon

If your knee is collapsing out under power (downstroke) don't you need the opposite of a varus wedge?

(could be wrong, I'm no expert)

crispy010

You can hurt your knees if you have a "knee tracking" issue like that. I'd work on improving my form and perhaps getting a fitting done right away, before you damage something.

George

Thanks for the replies guy. I did get fitted 3 times and I just have to keep tweaking it myself I guess. They all say if we cant find it the first time, keep coming back and we will. I'm basically doing that now. I thought it was the saddle I was trying, until I finally figured out what was going on. The fitters kept saying I had a short leg and moving the cleats around and adding shims seemed to make it worse. I finally went to the doctor and had my legs measured and they said that, that didn't seem to be the problem. Then I went to Austin and had another fitter look at me and he said it was my form. That's why I asked the question about spinning, but I have been focusing more on my pedaling and it seems to be getting better. I guess I have to retrain my mind.

currand

Do you wear holes in the leg of your shorts just below where it attaches to the chamois area?

botto 

sounds like something i posted. almost.

at a walden bike camp i had to keep it in the small ring, and ride in the drops.

the reason was twofold -

drops: getting used to riding in the position you race in.

small ring: spin to win.

YMCA

Probably because most average cyclists spend the vast majority of time sitting on their hoods at 85 rpms for miles and miles.

Agressive racing happens in the drops and at higher rpms.

Without skills, you are just a century rider.

George

Yes you were one of them and I appreciated it. I try and pick up little pointers from the more experienced riders. I can use all the help I can get.

I had 2 pair of bibs from Performance the Ultra 2 and in 2 weeks I had hole starting in the groin area. I have another 3 pair of Hammer bibs for almost a year and no problems yet. I just ordered some Voler bibs and I should be getting them Wednesday and I'll have to see how they feel.

I also picked up a new saddle to try out.I've read so much about the Fizik Aliante I thought I would give it a try. I tried the Arione, but didn't care for it after 2 hours. In between those two I put a Brooks Swift on and it is comfortable, but I'd like to have a different saddle on the Roubaix. I still get chafing from all the saddles, but I didn't feel I rubbed as bad with the Aliante. I'll go for a 35 mile ride Wednesday and I'll have a better idea. I know a lot of it is me and that's why I asked the original question.

Thanks again for the all replies.

Kagnos

What the eff is granny gear?

botto 

beautiful.

YMCA

a gear even your granny could turn

Kagnos

OHHH, haha. I misread. I thought you were talking about equipment

Velodad

Rollers + fixed gear= smooth, fast spin, FTW

carpediemracing 

+1 on rollers.

I keep re-learning how good rollers are for form. I convince myself I don't need them, then something happens to illustrate just how bad I've become.

I have a knee wobble, had it since Day 1. No problems, even when I was younger and training gobs of miles on no-float whatevers. In fact a lot of people tell me to "Do you hate your knees or are you pushing that gear for some other reason?" kind of stuff. This is about when I realize how bad I'm pedaling, grinding at 60-70 rpm up some false flat while guys and gals spin past me.

The rest of it has to do with figuring out fit. I have a Cat 3 friend who has to have one foot at some bizarre angle, looks like he's just about clipped out. I think he uses Speedplays, finally got him the angle his leg wants to have. I don't know how he was riding before those pedals.

My philosophy: If your knee hurts, you have a problem. If it doesn't, you don't.

cdr

George

My knees don't hurt, but ouch I get a smoother pedal stroke I'll be able to put more miles in. I just may get the rollers if I can't get it squared away just spinning. Thanks again for the replies.

Racer Ex 

Best wishes on the Volers. I did not like them. This is being charitable.

If you find bibs you like (see Hammer) that work for you, buy more.

George

I was trying to stay away from there logo and I read where Voler makes Hammer bibs. I know there not the same because I got an extra large and they had a different pad. I got my fingers crossed. If not I may try the Performance Elites.

Back to the drops and spinning. I was playing in front of the house and I was standing while in the drops and sprinting. Man can the bike really get squirmy, when your not use to that.

umd

Voler has several different pads.

nitropowered

I was doing 15-20 weeks on the rollers in the winter. Certainly helps you in the spring

Framebender

Winning.

ridethecliche

Wtf?

grolby

This might be why you so many guys (in lower cats, anyway) up on the hoods in parachute mode, locked elbows and everything. That's how they train.

Personally, I am in the drops for 99% of any crit that I happen to race, and considerable amounts of time in a RR. I do ride in the drops when training, but not enough. Guess I should make a point of that this winter.

ridethecliche

+1

Then again, I race on the hoods in crits. I can get close to a flat back on the hoods, and if I'm in the pack it doesn't matter.

If I'm attacking, bridging, or sprinting, I head to the drops.