First, I think this is a great discussion, whether or not it is strictly compliant with the subject.

On this point I strongly agree. The same applies to front end stiffness arguments. Climbing is mostly aerobic, and I want to use mostly large, less easily fatigued, muscles to carry the load, not my skinny arms which cry out for mercy at the slightest insult. Better to be smooth, balanced, relaxed and let my legs do the heavy lifting. They're more than up to the task, since the limiting factor is my heart and lungs.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

_________________
http://djconnel.blogspot.com/
Fuji SL/1
Send your data to Weight Weenie listings!

Nope. The key is to learn how to ride without holding tension in your core. *That* is what causes problems. It's important to be relaxed and have good posture... especially if your activity lasts 5+ hours.

If the race or ride is short and intense, and requires some upper body strength (MTB, track, cross), then of course you may feel some discomfort at first if you haven't trained for it.

_________________
formerly rruff...

This.

Its why I like to lift and encourage riders to do so. It has nothing to do with improving power on the bike, core muscles, aesthetics, it's about ensuring they don't break doing everything *other* than cycling, like putting your back out lifting a pot plant (Brad McGee reference there )


@Imaking20 strength *is* important in BJJ but it is a rather different sport, maximal and sub maximal application of force occurs a lot more than cycling. But the "trunk" muscles are no more or less important than any other. The body is one piece and any weakness or imbalance will be more likely to fatigue and or injure.

_________________
"Physiology is all just propaganda and lies... all waiting to be disproven by the next study."
"I'm not a real doctor; But I am a real worm; I am an actual worm." - TMBG

BJJ rounds are also much shorter any bike race save for the track stuff. At least they were when I did MMA and back then 5 minute rounds seemed like for god damned ever.

One thing to consider about bar width is your preferred climbing position.
Those who Prefer to climb on the tops may want their bars to be wider- it just feels good on the tops.
Those who climb on the hoods may be able to get away with a narrower bar. They don't use the tops very much.

I'd like to see the power profiles for those who say core doesn't count. I'm glad you all feel that way. It's nice to have people to beat in races.

I've just bought some 38's, I usually ride a 42 and I'm 6ft.
They where so cheap and light I thought I may as well give it a go and see how I get on.

You can see mine in the training thread.

Of course my poor power makes you right. Keep up with the crunches.

_________________
"Physiology is all just propaganda and lies... all waiting to be disproven by the next study."
"I'm not a real doctor; But I am a real worm; I am an actual worm." - TMBG

Last week I switched out my 42s for a set of 40s and, so far, my n=1 experiment is going very well. On the first ride they felt really narrow and by the third they felt completely normal. They feel better and I feel like I have more control when out of the saddle.

Count me as a convert.

i just went from 42 to 40. works well enough. i'll race on 40s this season. im short though, and probably should have been on 40s anyways. 5'7 here.

edit: actually bought my 40s from 11.4 up there haha