A few questions..

TrekDedicated said:

Hi,

My first question:

I recently got a computer with cadence. I can keep my cadence between 85- 115, but I am having trouble keeping it consistant. Does this just come over time or is there some secret I should know about?

Second question:

I am looking at Blackburn's trakstand Mag and Trakstand Fluid trainers and just wanted anyone's opinion as to which one is better.

Third question:

Is there any perk to wearing bib shorts while riding? More comfortable?

Thanks everyone!

Your cadence will obviously vary depending on terrain (even the slightest uphill will have an effect). If cadence is something you have never paid any attention to, it may take time to be able to keep up the same cadence for longer periods. It will also depend on what your normal cadence was (ie before you got the computer)--if you used to ride at 70rpm, it will take your body a while to figure out how to work and manage the load at 85rpm. This is something that you literally need to train (doing cadence specific work) to be efficient at.

As far as trainers go, almost anything fluid is better (smoother, quieter) than magnetic. I have no experience with Blackburn, but since you are comparing the same brand, I would suggest the fluid.

Bib shorts, for many people, are a lot more comfortable in general. I for one, do not like having anything tight around my waist when I ride. I also like the fact that I don't have to pull my jersey down to keep it over my shorts. Bibs will also do a better job of keeping the chamois in place as you ride--they will essentially diminish any chaffing as well since the chamois is constantly being pulled up to where you need it to be.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

To keep a more constant cadence you have to change gears more often. When you drop below 90 shift to a lower gear and when you get above 100 shift higher.