Ciclismo a Fondo proposed us to carry out a biomechanical study and some other concluding tests at our Granada, Spain headquarters. After the preceding mails, agenda matching and so on, on January the third Sergio Palomar, Rafa Gómez and me left Madrid. Sergio is the test manager and editor at Ciclismo a Fondo, Rafa Gómez is a mythical cycling photographer in Spain and I am, well, me.
The bike for tests was a stunning Cannondale Supersix Evo Team in Liquigas dress that, even when standing by you, it threatens. My contribution regarding this is quite poor. I pushed it from Motorpress Ibérica´s door to my car and there I loaded it. My first impressions were extreme lightness and beauty. For further info, check Ciclismo a Fondo.
The trip was lively and friendly, we talked about the human and divine, including bikes. Right there I notice Sergio´s professional and sportive level. What you see in the magazine is not a goal, but a consequence. Sergio is not an editor who rides for living, but he was born as a cyclist guy who writes for living. There is no race, ride or Sunday crit in which he has not taken part in a 1.900 miles radius and within a temperature range of 130ºF. Sergio does not talk about bikes, he knows about bikes and states it crystal clear and with the correction that we find in his articles.
Midway, we stop for a coffee and toasts. Sergio is to eat carbs before the tests. We told it to him in advance in order to make the tests under ideal conditions. Everything under control.
After noon, we arrived at SPORT LAB where Pablo and Úrsula received us. I am used, but their kindness and attentions are surprising. We did not miss cakes from La Orquídea bakery, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cádiz, Spain and coffee.
We provide Sergio of a Five Textil shirt for him to make the tests and not to take it off for the next few days except for washing. From sleeping to riding, the Five Textil will go with Sergio anywhere with the positive result he told us lately.
This is the very first time we use the new platform designed by Pablo and that makes easier the cyclist measurement and, at the same time, increases accuracy thanks to the three axles adjustments that can be made to adapt it to the specific conditions of every test.
As a proof of the precision level required by SPORT LAB, we feature the fact of disregarding the front wheel in favor of a fork mount. Thus, we eliminate the distortion coming from the front tire flexion because of the rider´s weight, what could generate a not so accurate reading.
Sergio carries out a level 1 biomechanical study to determine the ideal position to merge cyclist and bike in a whole. To be more precise, Sergio and that Cannondale. As a result, we are to swap the seat post and make minor adjustments in some elements as handlebar, saddle, etc. The bike is now a whole with Sergio. With this premise, we initiate further tests. Fig.1
Before, Úrsula´s nanny cooks paella for us and offers a bottle of Manzanilla wine from Sanlúcar coming from a barrel for lunch. Sergio, knowing what is ahead of him, is cautious with lunch. The rest of us, knowing that there was nothing ahead of us, eat in a different way.
While all of this happens, Rafa Gómez does his job and shows us what a photographer and a camera should be. Furthermore, he states perfectly the priority when good pictures is the reason and the camera scores in second place. It is perceptible when shooting the videos you can watch here. He has a special intuition to know what is to be transmitted.
Back to work, Sergio makes us see that we should develop tests that answer to the question that most usually arise in forums, web consultancy or cycling chats. Thus, cranks and cadence. It seems that both of these matters are a constant among cyclist´s hesitations and Sergio thought that clarifying these questions could be key.
Test should provide a scientifical and objective results. Nobody, not even the cyclist himself, interferes in the final conclusion. You cannot disallow or be prone to some recommendations distorted by the delivering opinion, but we are to be aseptic and, with an adequate protocol, obtain an unquestionable data.
The test to know the optimal crank length is easy and intuitive. You carry out some pedaling intervals in the same conditions and we measure the output in each of them. The only variable is the crank length, what is not even known by the rider to avoid contamination. Sergio´s vast experience and sensibility anticipate what test would say. Even ignoring the crank length he pedals with, he knows which of the intervals he made the best one is. He does not fail. Fig.2
Finally, and beyond six in the evening, we start the test that will tell us Sergio´s optimal pedaling cadence. With surgical precision, we extrapolate the “new Cannondale” measurements to the cycle-ergometer for Sergio to pedal using the ideal position we distilled from the biomechanical study. Next, a batch of increasing in charge sprints and starting from an also starting from a lower and lower cadence.
Intervals are short but agonic. Sergio´s leg potential forces us to hold the cycle-ergometer, that weights as much as 280 pounds, by two people for it not to dump before each pedal movement. Amazing!
Pablo told us in advance that this test is terrible for the rider, but funny for the watcher. Nothing as a friend´s struggling on the bike for laughs, a mix of fear and nerves, arise. Think of friend riding in a stertorous way and crying in pain. Nevertheless, I must say that I am happy not to coincide with Sergio for riding. After what I saw what he can do…
This protocol lets us and the cyclist know the ideal pedaling cadence. In other words, the number of pedal rotations for minute at which he is to ride to make the most of his power. If the cyclist rides out of his optimal cadence range, it will happen because he allows it, in spite of knowing he is not being effective. You must not care about others´ perception regarding your cadence or third´s experiences that does not match your reality as a cyclist.
Sergio suggests the test result again, given his experience and his analysis capabilities. He knows that he feels better at high cadences and that is how it happens. The test corroborates his sensations. Fig.3
Beyond eight in the evening and rejecting a suggesting offer for dinner, we start our trip back to Madrid, only interrupted by a fast snack on the road. Within the trip, I learn again from what Sergio concludes and transmits from all what he lived along the day.
Into the early hours of the morning, once in Madrid, I let Sergio and Rafa on their way home and I try to turn an blind eye for Sergio to forget the Cannondale in my car. No luck. Maybe next time.
You know what happened from a human point of view, a shirt-sleeve approach. Nevertheless, if you want to know the one who knows´opinion, you can read it in the #327 issue of Ciclismo a Fondo. If not, the condescendence of Motorpress Ibérica allows us to put it at your disposal by clicking here. That said, you can read it well on the screen, but nothing like reading it lying on the sofa.
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