Adding weight and bike weight limits
11-01-15, 09:25 AM
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It does, if you're trying to train for and simulate the feel of mountain touring with loaded paniers. When I did my transamerica ride 35 years ago, my local training area at the time, Providence RI and environs, had only some pretty small (albeit steep) hills. My training involved loading up my paniers up with 35-40 lbs of rocks and riding up and down College Hill in Providence for 1-2 hours at a time. I could not have gotten similar training in without adding the weight and riding without it - even if I rode longer, or rode harder gears. I was looking to get comfortable with handling the bike and understanding how the bike, and I, felt with 35 pounds of gear, and what it was like to ride that, both climbing and descending. Adding the extra weight is pretty much the only way to do that.
11-01-15, 11:28 AM
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11-02-15, 09:46 AM
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It does, if you're trying to train for and simulate the feel of mountain touring with loaded paniers. When I did my transamerica ride 35 years ago, my local training area at the time, Providence RI and environs, had only some pretty small (albeit steep) hills. My training involved loading up my paniers up with 35-40 lbs of rocks and riding up and down College Hill in Providence for 1-2 hours at a time. I could not have gotten similar training in without adding the weight and riding without it - even if I rode longer, or rode harder gears. I was looking to get comfortable with handling the bike and understanding how the bike, and I, felt with 35 pounds of gear, and what it was like to ride that, both climbing and descending. Adding the extra weight is pretty much the only way to do that.
11-02-15, 12:55 PM
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11-02-15, 02:46 PM
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Riding with a lot of weight in a cakpack will change the way all the muscle groups work. Balance and shifts iof the body will be a lot different. Riding with rocks or other irregular shaped objects in a pack could lead to serious back injuries in a crash.
For building strength then interval training is a far better way to train. It also has the advantage that you'll ride the same way on race day or tour.
Cheers
For building strength then interval training is a far better way to train. It also has the advantage that you'll ride the same way on race day or tour.
Cheers
11-02-15, 02:47 PM
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11-02-15, 02:58 PM
#33
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Adding weight, that's a first. Maybe just be a heavy courier/cargo biker.
11-02-15, 03:32 PM
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With my 17lbs security chain i have been adding weight naturally every time i brought my chain with me.
I also have been carrying heavy loads on my aluminum bike every time i have been to the grocery stores dangerously bending the frame and breaking 2 of my 36 wheel spokes.
Effectively it makes the ride slower but also harder due to the inertia of the bike when accelerating. When climbing the bike wants only one thing is to go back down allowing less time to recover between push. Also for stiff climbs i can't go slower so i have to push harder.
235lbs is not a lot so you should be safe I've easily doubled that on mine which is also an aluminum bike.
Now that i think about it i've destroyed a bottom bracket and 2 chainring bolts exploded recently (+ the 2 spokes) after 5 years of use maybe there is something there
I also have been carrying heavy loads on my aluminum bike every time i have been to the grocery stores dangerously bending the frame and breaking 2 of my 36 wheel spokes.
Effectively it makes the ride slower but also harder due to the inertia of the bike when accelerating. When climbing the bike wants only one thing is to go back down allowing less time to recover between push. Also for stiff climbs i can't go slower so i have to push harder.
235lbs is not a lot so you should be safe I've easily doubled that on mine which is also an aluminum bike.
Now that i think about it i've destroyed a bottom bracket and 2 chainring bolts exploded recently (+ the 2 spokes) after 5 years of use maybe there is something there
Last edited by erig007; 11-02-15 at 04:08 PM.
11-02-15, 09:48 PM
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Why carry weight? It's like if you adjusted your brakes to rub. For a given effort, you'd be going slower, but the effect would be the same as going faster without added resistance.
11-03-15, 06:02 AM
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That's a better "solution " to the "problem ".
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11-03-15, 07:19 AM
#38
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Adding weight won't do a thing for you, unless you're adding it while doing hill repeats. Get a HRM and spend more time in zone 4.
11-03-15, 07:27 AM
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It's true that for a given effort, extra weight will just cause you to go slower. But if you're in a fast group ride, you will be forced to give MORE effort just to keep up. No one likes to be dropped. So yes, adding extra weight most certainly can make you stronger/faster.
11-03-15, 08:28 AM
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Adding weight? Weight is sooo eighties.
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11-03-15, 10:29 AM
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It's true that for a given effort, extra weight will just cause you to go slower. But if you're in a fast group ride, you will be forced to give MORE effort just to keep up. No one likes to be dropped. So yes, adding extra weight most certainly can make you stronger/faster.
11-03-15, 04:52 PM
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11-03-15, 10:00 PM
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Muscles are denser than fats and i have heavy bones 
Cyclist weight + (heavy) aluminum cases on a reinforced rack for groceries on the rear rack (last time i checked i was carrying beyond 70lb of food in each case) + big panniers at the front + groceries in panniers and cases + extra groceries onto the racks + cold weather winter clothing + heavy security chain + extra locks + tools + lights > 500 lbs
Cyclist weight + (heavy) aluminum cases on a reinforced rack for groceries on the rear rack (last time i checked i was carrying beyond 70lb of food in each case) + big panniers at the front + groceries in panniers and cases + extra groceries onto the racks + cold weather winter clothing + heavy security chain + extra locks + tools + lights > 500 lbs
Last edited by erig007; 11-03-15 at 11:52 PM.
11-03-15, 11:15 PM
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^^This pretty much sums it up.
Training like this makes sense if time or distance are limited. The amount of energy that it takes to move 185 lbs of rider and bike 40 miles is about the same amount required to move 250 lbs 30 miles. I suppose this would help if you have a short commute to work and maintain a certain pace with added weight.
As stated, OP did not indicate what this training was for. If general strength and endurance: sounds good. But different training strengthens different muscles. If this is for racing, it may be adding to unnecessary muscles that aren't used for the intended application.
My only critique is to agree that stacking weight on your back can lead to nothing good. Get some panniers and save the weight on your spine.
Training like this makes sense if time or distance are limited. The amount of energy that it takes to move 185 lbs of rider and bike 40 miles is about the same amount required to move 250 lbs 30 miles. I suppose this would help if you have a short commute to work and maintain a certain pace with added weight.
As stated, OP did not indicate what this training was for. If general strength and endurance: sounds good. But different training strengthens different muscles. If this is for racing, it may be adding to unnecessary muscles that aren't used for the intended application.
My only critique is to agree that stacking weight on your back can lead to nothing good. Get some panniers and save the weight on your spine.
11-04-15, 04:53 AM
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Muscles are denser than fats and i have heavy bones
Cyclist weight + (heavy) aluminum cases on a reinforced rack for groceries on the rear rack (last time i checked i was carrying beyond 70lb of food in each case) + big panniers at the front + groceries in panniers and cases + extra groceries onto the racks + cold weather winter clothing + heavy security chain + extra locks + tools + lights > 500 lbs
Cyclist weight + (heavy) aluminum cases on a reinforced rack for groceries on the rear rack (last time i checked i was carrying beyond 70lb of food in each case) + big panniers at the front + groceries in panniers and cases + extra groceries onto the racks + cold weather winter clothing + heavy security chain + extra locks + tools + lights > 500 lbs
I once pulled close to 300 pounds in a trailer so my total gross weight might have been nearing yours, but i can't imagine what that much weight directly on the bike must feel like.
Cheers
11-04-15, 07:01 AM
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All this talk of adding weight to train when you could just ride a vintage Raleigh for the same amount of effort. 
11-04-15, 07:07 AM
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Hey, I resemble that remark! Putting lightweight components on it is kinda like drinking Diet Coke with your second dessert.
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11-04-15, 07:16 AM
#48
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It's true that for a given effort, extra weight will just cause you to go slower. But if you're in a fast group ride, you will be forced to give MORE effort just to keep up. No one likes to be dropped. So yes, adding extra weight most certainly can make you stronger/faster.
11-04-15, 09:55 AM
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That does sound like a big load. I guess carrying cans and tools can get heavy in a hurry.
I once pulled close to 300 pounds in a trailer so my total gross weight might have been nearing yours, but i can't imagine what that much weight directly on the bike must feel like.
Cheers
I once pulled close to 300 pounds in a trailer so my total gross weight might have been nearing yours, but i can't imagine what that much weight directly on the bike must feel like.
Cheers
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