Kieran Cox is a long time Zinn Cycles customer, and advocate of proper frame design and crank length for tall riders. Here is some interesting data he has developed with our custom cranks.
Hi Lennard,
It’s kinda crazy, but finally there is some data to back up what you’ve observed along with every other notably taller person has seen while riding custom cranks. It was always the faster jump in combination with VO2 efficiency that was creating gains.
I think a better way to test the “whole picture” is standing start 250m or 500m time trials. That way everything is included in the test, and the stopwatch tells all. I tried suggesting that to Andy and crew, but they were VERY against it. Basically worried about it introducing too many variables, but apparently it introduces the most significant ones of all, the speed/time of acceleration and VO2 efficiency at max power.
In any case, this year I’ve been lifting a lot of weights as part of my training. Mostly with my crossfit gym which focuses on Olympic style lifting. The results have been shocking, I’ve won a couple races this year and placed in a few others. What has been shocking is I’ve been sprinting from about 15-20 wheels back, and passing almost everyone on the last 600m typically holding over 1000W for over 20s (nearly 30 in one case) at an rpm of around 120. So sure my max power isn’t higher on the 200’s but I can hold it a LOT longer and when I jump I gap the guys in my draft, which is what wins races in a sprint.
Here is the video from a sprint from 20th place to win at a criterium a month ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwCJDPQaO2A
Attached is the picture from the Burlingame Criterium (Cat 3) a week ago. I’ll be either forced to upgrade to a 2 by the end of the season or I will just upgrade at the end of the season to start next year as a 2 on the road. I’ll let you know how racing in the P/1/2 field goes.
Here are the power files (and race reports) from each race, notice the cadence and power at the end:
Davis: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96953987
Burlingame: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/95039152
Wente: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82934903
-Kieran
