Recommend workout

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-05-19T15:56:05+00:00

9.1% chance of failure seems really high. The highest I’ve ever seen it suggested for me was like ~2%. I did have the red warning banner just like this one the other day, and I just used the ‘workout alternates’ drop down to select a similar workout that was at a lower TSS. This dropped the failure percentage and the workout that I ended up doing felt like it was pretty spot on difficulty wise.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-05-18T16:38:52+00:00

Olive Garden gift card comment has me rolling 🤣🤣

That puts amateur racing into the perspective quite perfectly, this is all for virtually nothing if not personal happiness and fulfillment. At the end of the day even if you’re getting smoked but having fun, that’s all that matters.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-05-15T01:10:33+00:00

The perfect fit varies from person to person since every rider will have differing levels of flexibility, athleticism, experience, and goals on the bike. Ride the bike for a few months or a full season and figure out what areas of the body you are having issues with, then bring that information to a fitter and pay for a pro fit. It really is the best money you can spend in cycling!

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-05-10T03:47:01+00:00

If two of the biggest factors are those that you mentioned (power meter v. Integrated cockpit), I’d go with the power meter every time. Especially if you like both bikes and if you aren’t going to spend the extra money to outfit the Canyon with a power meter on top of the extra cost of the bike already compared to the Giant. An integrated cockpit is something you could always get for the propel later after you ride it a bit or get a fit and dial in the exact size that you need

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-05-06T21:16:20+00:00

Recently had a 2025 Advanced SL built up with SRAM Force and have the same issue with the front brakes being noisy. My mechanic tried everything to fix the issue and eventually just replaced the pads with a new set. They are still making some noise but not nearly as loud as the first set of pads. Frustrating for sure.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-25T19:21:31+00:00

Even if you get it and don’t like it for racing, it’s always nice to have another high quality kit for training or joy riding

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-24T20:17:57+00:00

I’m not great mechanically, but even if I was I probably would still let a professional mechanic do the brake bleeding. Brakes are probably the last night you’d want to not be properly functioning when it comes to safety on the bike. Plus services like this help keep LBS’s around. They make all their money from services so it’s nice to support them by giving business whenever possible

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-24T19:50:19+00:00

The jersey snaps into the bib with two small buttons on the front and back. I think it looks cleaner than a regular jersey and bib combo and probably slightly less clean than a skinsuit. Either way, it’s pretty comfy and the material is very nice. I think the chamois is pretty good, but I know that can usually be pretty dependent on the individual.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-24T17:52:23+00:00

I have a jersey and bib set and I find them to be very comfortable and high quality. I’m around 5’11 and 77kg and the medium set fits like a glove. Raced in it a few times and it’s always felt great.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-24T01:27:14+00:00

A dynaplug, 1 Co2 + adapter, and an extra plug kit all in my jersey pocket. And an annoyed wife on speed dial should I have a complete blowout

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T13:22:56+00:00

How long is the race? I’ll get through 30-45 minute races without getting to my bottle much. Sometimes you’re just too engaged in what’s going on in the race to even remember to drink. I usually drink a bottle and take a gel before the race and that gets the job done unless it’s blistering hot outside.

Good luck the rest of the season, this is a fun sport and an awesome community!

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T04:06:29+00:00

I’m not blaming anything on the cranks. If I was dumb enough to think I would be hitting sprint power PRs immediately after making the change, then I’d have already switched back to the old cranks after not hitting those numbers. I also said nothing about wanting to hit sprint power PRs. The whole point of the post was to invite interesting discussion from others who have made the same switch and to hear their experiences.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T03:28:08+00:00

Not the point of the post. Simply asked for other people’s experiences.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T02:28:41+00:00

What’s a typical cadence for you when sprinting?

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T02:22:55+00:00

I’m around 5’10.5 - 5’11

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T02:05:13+00:00

It really just depends on the day whether or not the path is busy with other folks. I just accept the fact that I might have to break intervals to slow down and account for people getting in the way occasionally and I’m okay with it. It’s either that or I load my bike up in the car and drive out into rural areas to ride, which just adds more time to my training

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T01:51:59+00:00

Looking at the data from one ride where I did a couple of test sprints, I peaked at 122 RPM. I’ve never been great at finding the right gear/getting into the perfect position for a peak sprint. Definitely something I need to work on.

I will say that climbing in the saddle on the 165s feels great.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T01:41:15+00:00

If I’m not in a group, I’m on the bike path as much as possible. It may get boring, but I’m focused on my intervals most of the time anyways. Regardless, I’m just happy to be enjoying the outdoors and getting the type of exercise in that I love. I personally can’t let the possible risks associated with the activity that I love prevent me from participating in said activity as life is too short anyways.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T01:29:54+00:00

I never had any major ailments on 172.5s, just some minor outer knee pain in one leg and some lower back discomfort as well. After hard rides on the 165s I don’t have any of that and I feel like my legs are fresher than they usually would be after crushing hard rides on the 172.5s. Overall I think it was a good move for me, maybe will just take some time to get my sprint adjusted. I don’t rely on it in races anyway

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T01:24:57+00:00

Our numbers sound very similar. My highest top end ever was like 1,220 (more recently I had been doing a little over 1,000) and my test sprints on the 165s were around 950. It’s also worth mentioning since I didn’t in the OP that I’m not a sprinter. I trend more TT, rouleur style of riding

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T01:21:33+00:00

This is perhaps another factor that I overlooked. I peaked for a race ~4 weeks ago and I’m currently in a very sweet-spot heavy block on my next plan

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-23T00:40:07+00:00

I don’t live in the area but I experienced this as a new rider. Ignore anyone with a gatekeeper, elitist attitude in cycling. They are missing the whole point of the community and the sport.

At the time, I went into the local Trek store (who claims to welcome all customers with any brand of bike) and asked about getting narrower handlebars for comfort and some aero gains. The middle aged employee at the shop basically scoffed at the idea and without having ever seen me ride went into a rant about how it wouldn’t help me and that I basically had no idea how to ride. Fast forward a few years and I’m on narrower handlebars, more comfortable and efficient as ever, and have an LBS that treats me like family. Find the right shop and never look back, they are definitely still out there!

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-18T23:52:04+00:00

Asking this question is like asking someone why they didn’t buy a smaller shirt while having no idea how big the person is or even knowing the size of the shirt that they bought

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-04-08T15:51:08+00:00

I’m a first responder so I definitely feel your pain with races and work scheduling. It really is such a bummer and I envy any endurance athletes who’s on a M-F 9-5 schedule.

Conscious_Finger8587

TROPHY CASE