"Muscled" cyclists
10-12-07, 11:51 PM
#51
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I was referring to FTP, 20min, 5min type power.
Looking at the Belgian, Dutch, German and Italian roleurs that I see working for Boonen, Petacchi, McEwen,etc., none of them are that big. Lots of tall, slender guys.
The U23 worlds TT champ is pretty damn skinny as well, and while Cancellara is bigger than most, he still spins a pretty high cadence.
Typical gearing for the track:
Sprints: 49, 50, 51x15
Points race: 48x14, 51x15, 54x16
Team Pursuit: Bigger yet--> 55, 56x14 isn't uncommon.
Looking at the Belgian, Dutch, German and Italian roleurs that I see working for Boonen, Petacchi, McEwen,etc., none of them are that big. Lots of tall, slender guys.
The U23 worlds TT champ is pretty damn skinny as well, and while Cancellara is bigger than most, he still spins a pretty high cadence.
Typical gearing for the track:
Sprints: 49, 50, 51x15
Points race: 48x14, 51x15, 54x16
Team Pursuit: Bigger yet--> 55, 56x14 isn't uncommon.
Last edited by ZXiMan; 10-13-07 at 12:16 AM.
10-13-07, 12:10 AM
#52
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10-13-07, 02:21 AM
#53
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Behold:
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...ec06/dec18news
From CyclingNews.com
Bos: 200 metres in 9.772 seconds
Theo Bos in 2005
Photo ©: Mark Gunter
23 year-old Theo Bos smashed an 11 year-old record Saturday in Moscow, going 200 metres in 9.772 seconds on the Siberian larch "Krylatskoye" velodrome. The Dutchman set the world record for the flying distance, last held by Canadian Curt Harnett, who set a time of 9.865 seconds on 28 September 1995 in Bogota, Colombia.
"It was a childhood dream that I had," said Bos after taking the record to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Every day I was thinking of this record and it has been more than one month that I have concentrated on this date."
Even more impressive was that Bos set the record at sea level, or 200 metres, versus the record of Harnett, which was at 2,600 metres in decreased air density. For the attempt he mounted a 51x15 gearing (7.57 metre development) that allowed him to cover 20,466 metres pre second, or averaging 73.767 km/h. On the road, sprinters like Robbie McEwen hit speeds of 70 km/hr but that is after being launched from the front end of a speeding peloton.
Theo Bos has intention of shifting his focus to the road racing after the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...ec06/dec18news
From CyclingNews.com
Bos: 200 metres in 9.772 seconds
Theo Bos in 2005
Photo ©: Mark Gunter
23 year-old Theo Bos smashed an 11 year-old record Saturday in Moscow, going 200 metres in 9.772 seconds on the Siberian larch "Krylatskoye" velodrome. The Dutchman set the world record for the flying distance, last held by Canadian Curt Harnett, who set a time of 9.865 seconds on 28 September 1995 in Bogota, Colombia.
"It was a childhood dream that I had," said Bos after taking the record to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Every day I was thinking of this record and it has been more than one month that I have concentrated on this date."
Even more impressive was that Bos set the record at sea level, or 200 metres, versus the record of Harnett, which was at 2,600 metres in decreased air density. For the attempt he mounted a 51x15 gearing (7.57 metre development) that allowed him to cover 20,466 metres pre second, or averaging 73.767 km/h. On the road, sprinters like Robbie McEwen hit speeds of 70 km/hr but that is after being launched from the front end of a speeding peloton.
Theo Bos has intention of shifting his focus to the road racing after the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
I have it on reasonable authority that he used a much bigger gear and cyclingnews got it wrong. To my mind 51x15 is too small to be going that quick and I know the sprinters normally ride way bigger than 51x15
10-13-07, 02:26 AM
#54
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Where, at elite level or at your local velodrome? Elite sprinters use much bigger gears than that and a 51x15 for an elite madison or points score would be considered towards the low end of the scale in this day and age. World junior champs the Meyer brothers typically ride 92.6-94.5.
10-13-07, 02:32 AM
#55
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It would be great to have real cyclists legs. But, maybe it'd be a problem if you can't find jeans that they'd fit within.
Last edited by cyclezealot; 10-13-07 at 06:20 AM.
10-13-07, 03:45 AM
#56
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10-13-07, 07:00 AM
#57
Blast from the Past
Maybe for some people but it worked for me in my case.... 
Don't you think that if you have more fast twitch muscle fiber available to group together during an all out effort, you're going to generate more power?
faster on the flats, given me higher peak sprinting speeds AND I've seen a considerable increase in wattage/power... v.s. doing the "traditional" intervals. The numbers for me simply don't lie.
If I'm remembering correctly, I think it was Greg LeMond who was quoted as saying climbing will improve "every aspect" of your cycling...
So you don't think sprinting UPHILL (against gravity) v.s. sprinting on the flats with a tailwind won't improve your power? And if my larger quads have a higher percentage of fast twitch muscle fiber you don't think that will equate to more power?
Several training methods for increasing power includes using a BIG gear at low cadence.... kind of like what happens when you climb fast up a long hill in a low gear and doing traditional "jumps".
Anything that increases resistance should in theory increase your power output if you are training your muscle groups correctly. I've never seen increases in "power" on my meter using higher cadence, however it does help my endurance and aerobic capacity. I tend to be more "efficient" at lower cadences. Perhaps some of those skinnier guys who are fast on the track wind out a smaller gear at higher cadences. I know that they are fixed geared, but what is the equivalent of say a 53-11 or 53-12?
Don't you think that if you have more fast twitch muscle fiber available to group together during an all out effort, you're going to generate more power?
faster on the flats, given me higher peak sprinting speeds AND I've seen a considerable increase in wattage/power... v.s. doing the "traditional" intervals. The numbers for me simply don't lie.
If I'm remembering correctly, I think it was Greg LeMond who was quoted as saying climbing will improve "every aspect" of your cycling...
So you don't think sprinting UPHILL (against gravity) v.s. sprinting on the flats with a tailwind won't improve your power? And if my larger quads have a higher percentage of fast twitch muscle fiber you don't think that will equate to more power?
Several training methods for increasing power includes using a BIG gear at low cadence.... kind of like what happens when you climb fast up a long hill in a low gear and doing traditional "jumps".
Anything that increases resistance should in theory increase your power output if you are training your muscle groups correctly. I've never seen increases in "power" on my meter using higher cadence, however it does help my endurance and aerobic capacity. I tend to be more "efficient" at lower cadences. Perhaps some of those skinnier guys who are fast on the track wind out a smaller gear at higher cadences. I know that they are fixed geared, but what is the equivalent of say a 53-11 or 53-12?
Dont confuse Force and Power (Work = Force x distance, Power = work/time). Unique for a Track rider is applying Force at high leg speeds. There are a lot of big strong legs out there not quick enough to even turn a 12s 200m let alone a sub 10. This ability can really help a crit rider as well.
Agree that on the road there is a lot of improvement to be had working on hills. But you need to combine it with some effort that increases or maintains leg speed in the long run.
10-13-07, 08:02 AM
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10-13-07, 08:12 AM
#59
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My limiter is sustained solo speed... when I'm at the top of my game I can sprint like a champ. I just can't hold 30+ mph for several miles without help! 
I think it takes years of training and adoptation to stress to get to those high levels of sustained wattage.
I think it takes years of training and adoptation to stress to get to those high levels of sustained wattage.
10-13-07, 08:14 AM
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Dont confuse Force and Power (Work = Force x distance, Power = work/time). Unique for a Track rider is applying Force at high leg speeds. There are a lot of big strong legs out there not quick enough to even turn a 12s 200m let alone a sub 10. This ability can really help a crit rider as well.
Agree that on the road there is a lot of improvement to be had working on hills. But you need to combine it with some effort that increases or maintains leg speed in the long run.
Agree that on the road there is a lot of improvement to be had working on hills. But you need to combine it with some effort that increases or maintains leg speed in the long run.
10-13-07, 08:22 AM
#61
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Only 4 people have ever broken 30 miles in an hour on a conventional track bike(32x spokes, non-disc, no aero farings, helmets, etc).
10-13-07, 10:00 AM
#62
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They say calf muscles are not that much related to cycling. But, two questions about that . I read in some cycling magazine that cycling is the sport that causes that split calf muscle so noticeable on many cyclists. 2. Ever notice how calf muscles flex when a strong climber ascends, standing on the pedal. Looks pretty involved to the pedal stroke, seems to me. And for sure, I know what cycling has done to my quads.
10-13-07, 10:18 AM
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They say calf muscles are not that much related to cycling. But, two questions about that . I read in some cycling magazine that cycling is the sport that causes that split calf muscle so noticeable on many cyclists. 2. Ever notice how calf muscles flex when a strong climber ascends, standing on the pedal. Looks pretty involved to the pedal stroke, seems to me. And for sure, I know what cycling has done to my quads.
Most people have "split" calf muscles. It's just that most people are too fat for you to notice this, really. And, if a person is a good climber, they are more than likely rather lean (lacking fat).
10-13-07, 11:45 AM
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I wouldn't say 'way bigger'. 51x15 would be about right for a match sprint. You could go bigger for a keirin where you're being paced up to speed.
10-13-07, 05:27 PM
#65
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This seems wrong to me too, I find there's no way I can pedal past 70km/h at 54x12 (that's when I give up and fully tuck in). I wonder if crank arm length plays a part here.
10-13-07, 05:33 PM
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yeah but cyclist obviously have it show more, and that must be because it is taking some stress and developing
10-13-07, 05:56 PM
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10-13-07, 06:01 PM
#69
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I bet she has a bigger sac then every single male on BF combined.
Why... is she Scottish ?
Why... is she Scottish ?
10-13-07, 06:05 PM
#70
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10-13-07, 06:08 PM
#71
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Nowadays the elite sprinters are sprinting at 500m to go. They definitely use bigger than 51x15. More like48, 49 or even 50 x 14, depending on the track and conditions. I've raced a few of the Aussie sprinters (and had my arse handed to me).
They don't use little gears.Check this interview with Marty Northstein.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/interview...stein012.shtml
Bos is rumoured to have used 51x14 for his WR, not 51x15 as cyclingnews reported. Moscow track is 10 metres wide and would easily allow this sort of gearing diving off the bank.
10-13-07, 06:52 PM
#72
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They say calf muscles are not that much related to cycling. But, two questions about that . I read in some cycling magazine that cycling is the sport that causes that split calf muscle so noticeable on many cyclists. 2. Ever notice how calf muscles flex when a strong climber ascends, standing on the pedal. Looks pretty involved to the pedal stroke, seems to me. And for sure, I know what cycling has done to my quads.
As for me personally, I'm sure the toe down thing stemmed from my over 6 month resistance to going to clipless. I was a total masher for my first 6,000 miles on a road bike. I kept thinking that if I could stay up with and beat alot of more experienced riders with the FLAT pedals (even up hills) why should I switch over to clipless? I didn't even use cages! Yes I was a TOTAL "masher" then. Now there is no way I could ride a bike comfortably without being clipped in... I'd be afraid my foot would slip off the pedal, especially during a sprint or whatever...
Last edited by ZXiMan; 10-13-07 at 07:03 PM.
10-13-07, 07:28 PM
#73
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There are two main different pedalling styles... heel down and toe down come to mind. Toe down mechanics definately uses the calf muscle contraction to "push" the pedal down and and then also when pulling up, opposed to heel down. Pantani used a toe down pedalling style. I tend to do the same but it is what I am comfortable with and helps me spin in full circles. Because of this, I have VERY chiseled calves. It irks the hell outta the LBS guys when I get on a bike to be fitted. They try to make me pedal heel down and I'm like, "toe down works better for me" and so the bike set-up is noticeably different because of this. I guess it might have something to do with the fact I have relatively short legs for my heigth. I guess whatever works, right?
10-13-07, 08:03 PM
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Nowadays the elite sprinters are sprinting at 500m to go. They definitely use bigger than 51x15. More like48, 49 or even 50 x 14, depending on the track and conditions. I've raced a few of the Aussie sprinters (and had my arse handed to me). They don't use little gears.
Check this interview with Marty Northstein.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/interview...stein012.shtml
Bos is rumoured to have used 51x14 for his WR, not 51x15 as cyclingnews reported. Moscow track is 10 metres wide and would easily allow this sort of gearing diving off the bank.
They don't use little gears.Check this interview with Marty Northstein.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/interview...stein012.shtml
Bos is rumoured to have used 51x14 for his WR, not 51x15 as cyclingnews reported. Moscow track is 10 metres wide and would easily allow this sort of gearing diving off the bank.
10-13-07, 08:11 PM
#75
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don't forget the dope