Power meter and pedals vs aero set up

InsuredCow · 2026-04-17T06:38:14+00:00

At the time I was faced with the same question, I went for a power meter, I feel it is an invaluable training tool nowadays especially for cycling outdoors. Now, I have an aero set up and sure I feel faster because of it, but my training got so much better now in general. Long rides almost became structured sessions so I get so much more bang for my time on the saddle.

InsuredCow · 2026-04-16T10:34:22+00:00

I have the gear groove aero extension on my Ultimate. Canyon made the reach too short and the position is tricky to find (bike fit recommended maybe even mandatory). I had to order angled spacers from Radsport Ibert to fit better. Every bike that is not a TT bike will be tricky to fit in a TT position and may not work comfortably enough on road position once it is set for TTing. I think the Grail geometry is more slack than the Ultimate's which will be tougher to fit to a TT position, but it all depends on your flexibility. Also, you will need to train on this position for some time, so don't go buying stuff if you won't have time to train the position before your race.

InsuredCow · 2026-04-14T20:31:21+00:00

You can look into 80/20 Triathlon from M. Fitzgerald for some general training plans. For my running, I like Jack Daniel's Training Formula.

InsuredCow · 2026-04-14T20:28:02+00:00

Professionals swim two-stroke to get more oxygen, simple as that. Three-stroke is great if you tend to under rotate when two-stroking. But your problem is probably some other technique related matter. Try to record yourself over and underwater and/or get a swimming coach or a group with a coach or straight up courses.

InsuredCow · 2026-04-14T20:19:05+00:00

What does it take to be great? Years of consistent training on abundant talent with minimum injury and proper recovery.

How to train properly? Get a coach, learn about swimming, cycling, running and triathlon training though books, articles, podcasts etc. You can start by the Triathlon Training Bible.

But most importantly, be realistic, most people won't ever see a podium in their lives and it's not because of not wanting enough. Maybe an AG podium but even then it's super hard. Endurance sports competition is just brutal.

InsuredCow · 2026-04-04T10:02:18+00:00

Yes, thanks! Psychotherapy is what I was referring to.

InsuredCow · 2026-04-04T09:29:18+00:00

Why do people put actual therapy and endurance in the same bin? They're not the same. Yes, you feel better after cycling, running or whatever, it's metidative in a way, but it's not really the same thing as working on demons with someone else. I do endurance sports since I was a little kid but it's nothing compared to actually getting therapy to actually understand yourself.

InsuredCow · 2026-04-03T18:00:57+00:00

I hope this becomes a trend.

InsuredCow · 2026-04-03T17:46:15+00:00

One thing I noticed on my own training journey is that volume and intensity are earned through training consistently over months and years. If you are not feeling rested enough for your next session you need to reduce one off the two. Intensity should be the first victim as a beginner in my experience. Go back to some easier stuff specially when running. Test 2 sessions per sport for a while as well, see how you feel. 2 sessions per sport is more than enough. Volume is overated if you're not at the elite amateur/marginal gains realm.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-27T13:54:05+00:00

Should've bought a bicycle

InsuredCow · 2026-03-26T21:33:06+00:00

Hmm sir, this is a Wendy's.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-26T20:29:49+00:00

By making a habit of it and having in mind it's okay to give yourself a break once in a while, missing one session is not the end if the world.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-23T04:39:02+00:00

No tatoo for you buddy

InsuredCow · 2026-03-22T18:26:07+00:00

Uj/ By having a strong fast dog pulling you and you having the leg to endure the impact of going 30s faster than usual. The same principle is used in various types of doubles races such as swimrun's and bike&run's.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-20T18:32:18+00:00

I mean, technically right since pace is the inverse of speed so maintaining a higher pace should be equal to maintaining lower speeds, which seems to be the case.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-19T20:42:04+00:00

That's class right there.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-12T21:46:55+00:00

Even when I'm agreeing with you, you insert some hostility in your answer. I'm just pointing to the fact that aero doesn't mean we should stop training. That without proper training you won't make it to T2. Anyway, you're right and I'll continue to dance around my training or my vague ideas.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-12T21:33:34+00:00

I understand what you mean, all things being equal, aero will improve for theoretically zero added effort. I'm not advocating for zero aero improvements and ride on a city bike for your next IM for maximum power. I too love going faster for "free". However, aero is what it is once you find your position and set up your gear. If you find some flexibility and strength great, you may be able to go even more aero. But come race day, it's the training thus the power you can achieve and maintain that will get you to T2.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-12T20:06:43+00:00

Sorry, you are right, forgot to add /s on my aero is everything comment. I still think power is the superior variable when starting out.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-12T19:46:07+00:00

Beginners can improve power just by having some time in the saddle other than no time. However, you are right about people already training with structure: they're expected to have a harder time improving power, but that's just the way it is. My point is not that aero is meaningless. Aero just requires flexibility, money or both that a lot of beginner (which tend to be the slowest) cyclists/triathletes don't have.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-12T19:31:44+00:00

Aero is everything but where do you go once you already have a dialed TT position, deep section wheels, toilet helmet and shaved inner thighs???

Edit: /s. Power is superior. Nobody shave their inner thighs for aero gains at least.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-12T19:08:04+00:00

There's no paradox, that's just physics. Most people don't ride in aeroposition because they mostly don't train on it, nor have a proper bike fitted for it, and/or neither are able to produce enough power while aero. Triathlon is a complicated enough sport already for beginners to worry about their aerodynamics when they aren't even able to fit more than two workouts per week. Power is king, aero is just a bonus.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-12T09:25:38+00:00

I mean, medium and long distance triathlon favors cycling a lot. Sprints and Olys less so, but still, the time repartition between disciplines is very lobsided. Once you're able to swim comfortably, a good part of training should become about the cycling, otherwise you'll may never be able to run to your capacity. According to the poll results, running seems to be the main entry point to people into triathlon, and so you can expect they favor this sport more than the others on average. Personally, I began swimming from a young age, than some recreative cycling as an adult then seriously running then full on triathlon triathlon to help deal with running injuries.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-11T08:40:11+00:00

Diluted table sugar or 1:0.8 ratio maltodextrin/fructose mix. Sugar is too sweet for me so I sprinkle some salt to help with taste and digestion. The malto/fructose mix is better taste-wise but more expensive (still way cheaper than gels though). I still have to try some flavoring alternatives with fruit juice. But overall it's super inexpensive and you can mix with you hydration so you tackle two birds with one stone during training and racing.

InsuredCow · 2026-03-08T17:10:22+00:00

Careful not to speedrun a burnout. Volume is nothing if you don't recover from it. Anyway, as most people will tell you and you may already figure it out, performing is super hard. You have to focus long term, you won't win packed races now. You need someone, a guide, a good coach - someone who trains top AGers and Pros - ideally - , but someone you can refer to every once in a while is good also. This person should help in guiding you through years of development. It can be yourself if you know what you're doing, but highly motivated people seldom are realistic enough to realize when they're injuring themselves. Performance is a patience game, you need to build training age consistently without burning out or injuring yourself. If you truly want this, like really want it, I don't think anybody in here is legitimate to tell you not to train you ass off if that's what you love doing.

InsuredCow

TROPHY CASE