Which Profile do I choose?

[mullerrj]

I've stored two profiles in my iBike Aero..one profile where I've done CDs/cal ride with my hands on the hoods. The other profile where I've done CDs/cal ride with my hands in the drops. Now, I'm getting ready to race a Criterium in which I know I'm going to probably split my time 50/50, riding half the Crit with my hands on the hoods and the other half with my hands in the drops. Which Profile should I select before the race? Is there one profile that would give me more accurate power readings? Does it matter? Are we talking an average of 5w difference or perhaps up to 50w difference between the two profiles? Thanks Rob

[racerfern]

This is an uneducated guess, but it appears to me that you would select the hoods. In general, for a road bike, that's the position you're capable of producing the most power in. While the drops might make you more aero, you won't and can't spend the entire time there. It's stressful on the body and people generally produce fewer watts in the drops since you don't have the upper body advantage.

[Russ]

I have a suggestion, if you want more accurate data post ride.

1. use the drops profile to collect the data.

2. In the tools menu of the iBike software, choose 'add a second CDa...'

3. enter the multiplier (top field) to get the CDA for the hoods profile (which should be higher)

4. choose a speed (bottom field) you would typically transition to the drops/hoods at

5. study the results (hit undo button to alternate the power numbers) to realize an offset to
mentally use on the bike when riding the hoods (that one is if you want to control
your effort during the race by the iBike readings)

6. optionally practice switching to the drops at a chosen speed to get the habit for optimum
use of the improved CDA vs effort and discomfort, etc.

Hope this helps,
Russ

[mullerrj]

Awesome..thanks guys..really great input. I'll give it a try. Cheers Rob