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SRAM Yaw Front Derailleur Review

SRAM Red Yaw Front DerailleurIt's been well advertised that the SRAM Red Yaw front derailleur has revolutionized mechanical front shifting.  Tom Boonen won a pair of monuments on it last year.  One could arguably claim that the simple concept of an uneven parallelogram that pivots about the seat tube, negating the need for a trim function and packaged into a lightweight and (importantly) stiff front dérailleur is the crown jewel of the new Red group. But does this seemingly unsung piece of metal really live up to the hype?

After the jump I'll examine my experience with the Yaw unit over the past eight months and figure out if it lives up to the hype.

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Coaching Q&A (Podcast #28)

Training PlansHave you ever heard of the phrase “if you have a question, ask it.  Someone else probably has the same question but is afraid to ask it?”  Over my time in practice and coaching athletes, I've found this to be true time and time again.  Cyclists both young and old, new and seasoned, racer and group rider come to me with many of the same questions, each one looking for an answer as to why they are having trouble with something and how they can advance their fitness.  In most cases, it's simple changes to their program that can produce stellar results.

In today's podcast, I'll go over a couple of questions and concepts that I've been seeing a lot lately.  These are all things that you average cyclist needs to know in order to become a faster, stronger rider.  I'll shed some light on:

  • Do you need a power meter to train effectively?
  • Who benefits from training with power?
  • How many “A” races are too many?
  • What pitfalls are there in planning a season?
  • Why do my legs “get heavy and lose their ability to push?”
  • What can I address to take my fitness to the next level?

If you like what you hear, go over to the Tailwind Coaching Podcast on iTunes and rate it 5 stars.  Don't forget to post any questions to the Tailwind Coaching Facebook page.

And don't forget: BATTENKILL registration is November 15th at 7PM.  You can get my new, revised and improved 20 week Battenkill Training Plan in my store, and be well on your way to the podium.  Remember to save 10% with the coupon code in this week's podcast.

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10 Reasons to Use a Power Meter

A power meter has become ubiquitous with performance in the past few years, and their popularity has led many companies to jump headfirst into the power market.  Previously dominated by Saris and SRM, the power meter market has expanded significantly in the past few years.  Quarq, Power2Max, Look/Polar, Rotor, 4iiii, Brim Brothers and Stages Cycling have joined the fray, while Ergomo has disappeared, iBike has suffered mightily from the lack of direct measurement and Garmin has finally brought the long-awaited Vector to market.

Despite the myriad of options, one thing has remained (fairly) constant in the world of power meters: the high cost of admission.  True, the Stages power meter has entered the market at a very attractive price and older model Powertaps are plentiful and more affordable, especially since the G3 price drop.  The fact remains that your average power meter will run you around $800 or so.

It's expensive, yes, but that doesn't mean you don't need one, and you can read why after the jump:

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The (Not So) Off Season (Podcast #27)

Hanging it up for the off seasonFor years, magazines and forum denizens have discussed and advocated the concept of the “off season” for competitive cyclists.  While the idea of sitting around and drinking beer on the sofa is appealing, it really doesn't do much for your hopes and dreams of competing next season, finishing that century or stomping on your friends during the Saturday shop ride.  In fact, it may do just the opposite.  You may find yourself digging into a hole you can't train out of next year.

Why is this the case?

The biggest culprit is the fact that amateur cyclists have always seemed to have taken their training cues from the professionals that they idolize.  Unfortunately, the difference between pro and amateur is not at all inconsequential.  Pros train 40 hours per week and race 90 days per year.  Amateurs train 10 hours per week and race 12 days per year.  Could there be a maybe be a slight difference between amateurs and pros?

Everyone should be nodding their head right now.  Everyone.

Knowing that, should you, an amateur, be following a pro's training plans and take an off season like they do?

Now everyone should be shaking their heads.  In today's podcast, I discuss why a pro's offseason will destroy an amateur's hard won fitness gains and how your fitness for next season starts NOW.  I'll also talk about a few ways to keep your mental outlook fresh while maintaining some of the fitness you built this season, such as gravel rides, exploration rides, coffee shop rides, skill work indoors, cross training, and more.

As always, questions and comments are welcome.  Head on over to the Tailwind Coaching Facebook page and post away, and don't forget to rate the Tailwind Coaching Podcast on iTunes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:57 — 37.5MB)

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Gravel Grinding (Podcast #26)

Solitary rideInterbike this season has confirmed what I have long advocated: that riding on dirt and gravel is not insane, and can actually be fun!  Events like the Dirty Kanza and D2R2 have been exponentially growing in popularity for several years now, and bike manufacturers are starting to build dedicated gravel bikes by the truckload.  From the BMC GranFondo GF01 disc to the Giant Revolt, companies are jumping into the newest market segment with both feet.

But do you really need to go out and buy a gravel specific machine just to have fun on your local “road less traveled” or can you have plenty of fun with what you've got in your garage right now?  In today's podcast, I'll discuss the differences between road, cyclocross and gravel bikes, what pros and cons each offers, the “ultimate solution to riding on dirt” and some of the tips, tricks and skills necessary to make your gravel grinds safe and fun.

As always, don't forget to rate the Tailwind Coaching Podcast on iTunes, and shoot on over to the Tailwind Coaching Facebook Page to ask any questions you may have.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:38 — 43.6MB)

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