Use Your iPro or iAero on a Recumbent
24 Jul 2011, written by iBike 0 Comments
We sometimes get the question:
Can the iBike be used on a recumbent?
The answer is definitely YES! The iPro and iAero GENIII units will work on a recumbent but we don’t recommend the iDash+Power for recumbents.
With the iPro and iAero you can do coast downs on a recumbent to create the CDA and aero values, however, but with an iDash+Power this is not possible at this time.
There are several (that we know of and there may be more) of recumbent riders that use iPro or iAero GENIII and get good results. There’s couple of things to be aware of though.
1. WIND
You MUST use the remote wind sensor: http://www.ibikesports.com/detail.aspx?ID=72The end of the RWS must be mounted out in front of their setup to ensure good wind data.
2. COAST DOWN
You must do coast downs to create the profile.
All in all it should be a pretty easy setup. Now you just need to find a good place to mount the iBike. Enjoy!
If you have pictures of the iPro and iAero on your recumbent during one of your rides we’d love to see them. You can share them on our Facebok page:
https://www.facebook.com/iBikePowerMeters
Velcomp Introduces New iBike Coach App & Major Update to iBike App
11 Jun 2011, written by Terri 0 CommentsiBike Coach App for the iBike Dash CC Makes Cycling More Rewarding and Fun
iBike App Update Adds Exclusive “Always On” Recording Technology
Velocomp LLP, www.iBikeDash.com, a leading sports technology company and makers of the iBike® line of power meters and iBike Dash line of cycling computers, announced today two major app enhancements for its iBike Dash line of cycling computer products.
iBike Coach App
The new iBike Coach App (designed to work exclusively with the iBike Dash CC), includes a new user interface, more extensive use of video instruction tutorials, a simpler product setup, easier screen navigation, and one button access to music controls.
John Hamann, CEO of Velocomp, said, “iBike Coach introduces the core of our next generation app. With sharper and more colorful screens, simpler setup procedures, and fun features, such as music control, we think the iBike Coach will make bicycling more enjoyable for iBike Dash CC owners.” Hamann added, “We will rapidly introduce even more features to the iBike Coach App, extending its features to our iBike Dash CC Deluxe and iBike Dash + Power models.”
iBike App and iBike Dash “Always On” Update
The iBike app update that goes live today introduces a new “Always On” feature, which allows for the continuation of data gathering and recording — even with the iBike App is not running — using the iBike Dash electronics. Then when the iBike App is restarted, the app and electronics talk to each other, figure out where the data gaps are and seamlessly weave the lost data back into the app. Critical cycling information, both on-screen and in the ride file, is always complete and accurate.
According to Hamann, “Cyclists naturally expect that their cycling computer information will always be correct and accurate. And iPhone and iPod touch users naturally expect to have full access to all of their apps, whenever they want. With our new ‘Always On’ technology, both of these critical expectations are met. Implementing the ‘Always On’ feature requires complex interactions between the app, electronics, and firmware. We are pleased to implement seamless background data recording and recovery technologies in an iOS cycling computer and to provide this important feature to our customers.”
Pricing & Availability
The iBike Coach App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. This app works only with the iBike Dash CC, sold separately.
The update to the iBike App is live now on the App Store. The app works with the iBike Dash CC, iBike Dash CC Deluxe, and iBike Dash + Power, sold separately.
iBike Dash bicycle computer products are available at the Apple Retail Stores, the Apple Online Store, at www.ibikedash.com, and at local bicycle retail shops.
About the iBike Dash CC
The iBike Dash CC allows cyclists to turn their iPhone or iPod touch into an amazing cycling computer. The iBike Dash CC is a complete system, which includes the iBike Coach app for iPhone or iPod touch, accessory electronics that reside in the case of the iBike Dash, and sensors which are placed on the bike. The electronics gather cycling data and the app displays and records that data. The iBike Dash CC is available immediately for iPhone and iPod touch, priced at $199 MSRP through Apple retail stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, the Apple Store online at: http://store.apple.com/us/product/H3828LL/A, or Velocomp at: http://www.ibikesports.com/ibikestore.html. The iBike Dash CC includes the Smart Phone Booth case, mount, wireless speed sensor, iBike Coach app for iPhone or iPod touch, and iBike software for Mac and Windows desktop computers. The iBike Phone Booth Bicycle Mount is also available immediately through Apple retail stores or online, priced at $49.95. For more information, see www.ibikedash.com.
It’s a Love Hate Thing
14 Apr 2011, written by JeffZ 0 Comments
Do you love to hate them or hate to love them? Does your stomach churn when you see the road turn up or are you the guy bouncing out of the saddle like a 6 month old Labrador puppy with a new ball? Either way, there’s no way to avoid it; climbing hills is a critical part of development.
Personally, I hate climbing. But I love what it does for me. And in a very sick masochistic way, I enjoy suffering and occasionally inflicting pain and humility upon my friends. However, the only way I can even fathom “enjoying” climbing is if I have some sort of climbing fitness. Now, fitness is a relative term so you’ll have to use your own benchmark. Regardless of your personal definition, here’s how I’ve been using my iBike to get into my own form of “climbing shape.”
First, patience is key, although I have none of it. I completely understand the logic behind pacing at the beginning but at some point on a long climb I get frustrated with my pathetic progress, pop out of the saddle, push myself into the red zone and completely blow up. When I finally recover, everyone has passed me and I finish last, with a slower overall time than I would have if I didn’t lose my cool. I’m learning though and maybe you can too from my stupidity. Now, I’m hanging back as everyone else charges up. Slowly, I’ll reel one or two back and feel better at the top.
The second principle is power to weight ratio. Simple -the lighter and stronger I am the better I’ll climb. I’m working on dropping body fat through diet and strength training to make life easier. The calorie counting feature on the Dash comes in handy with this process. It works by gathering heart rate data and pairs that with height and weight info to estimate calorie burn. I set my diet up for a 500 calorie deficit per day based on planned calorie consumption.
Now for the hard part, climbing. To get better at it you just have to do it. It’s important to do a hill specific workout even if it’s only 45 minute ride. Pick a hill and go up and down – wash and repeat. The intensity will be enough to compensate for the short duration. I usually pick a hill that’s about a mile long and at a moderate grade of 6%-8%. First, I warm up with a 15 minute moderate spin and then the pain begins. The first time up for me is a seated big gear grind or what I call the monster mash. Pick a gear that you can turn at 60+ rpm and stick with it – 53×12 will do nicely (if your best friend is an orthopedic surgeon).
The second pass is I.L.T. -isolated leg training. Select a reasonably easy gear to turn over with 1 leg. The goal is to turn the pedals over without a clunking feeling in the stroke, where your cranks disengage. Think perfect circles.
Last but definitely not least, my favorite, the stand and deliver drill. On this pass I’ll pick a gear that I can turn over at 70+ rpm. Once I’ve found that gear I get out of the saddle and stay standing for the whole climb. If I’m feeling extra spunky, I’ll mix in some out of the saddle surges or mock attacks of 10 strokes max effort.
After a month or two of these workouts once or twice a week, you’ll be much stronger and more confident. At that point, remember to settle in and find your own rhythm. It’ll all be over soon enough.
How do you train for hill climbs? Please contact me if you have any suggestions on the topic. You can reach me at (iBikeRider1@gmail.com). By the way, if there’s something you’d like to know about the iBike Dash, please let me know. I’m happy to help.
The Black Hole of Analysis
07 Apr 2011, written by JeffZ 0 Comments
It’s really easy to get sucked in to the black hole of ride analysis. Especially with the desktop software provided from iBike. I find it hard to believe that they still offer it as a free download from the website. It’s feature rich and powerful enough to spend countless hours submersing yourself in discovery. The question is; how deep do you want to go? By all means, if you have the time, go ahead and lose yourself. However, if you have other time considerations (wife, kids, job, life, etc) please allow this entry to serve as a skeleton to work from to guide you through high level analysis.
Let’s start with the basics. The software displays all the standards; Distance, Riding Time, Calories Burned, Power, Speed, Cadence, Heart Rate, and even Climbing Elevation. Climbing is really handy if you’re training for a hilly event like The Triple Bypass, etc. The default display provides graphed feedback of Power, Speed, Cadence, Heart Rate, Elevation and Slope %. It’s pretty cool to visually follow the ride and how you responded to the conditions and effort
Here’s where the party starts. Initially, I review the overall picture and confirm that I actually rode the ride that I intended, especially, if I was out with a group. Was I a good boy by following the plan? The majority of my rides are supposed to be below my anaerobic threshold (before I start breathing hard). As well, I try to keep the legs turning over at a higher cadence (around 90 rpm) so I don’t abuse my frail leg muscles too much. After these pieces are confirmed I begin to drill down.
The black hole I referred to is accessed through the “Show” button in the top right corner of the screen. Enter at your own risk. By selecting “Advanced Stats” your default screen morphs into a playground of statistics. Again, my goal is to keep life simple and have minimal exposure to the lunatic fringe of analysis. There are, however, some really powerful figures to consider that don’t take much time. The “Aero” figure is one of them. Aero tells me how much of the wattage I generate is spent on punching through the wind. Lance spends millions of dollars and countless hours in the wind tunnel honing in his position on the bike. I have slightly less money and time but use this field to dink around with figures while riding on the brake hoods or in the drops.
Another cool figure that appears after selecting Advanced Stats is the TSS or Training Stress Score. TSS, roughly summarized, takes duration, average power, and intensity into account and provides a score. It’s a good idea to consider this score when planning the next ride. If I went to hard yesterday, I may rethink going hard again today.
One of the last things I do, which balances right on the razors edge of sanity, is drill into my work sets. The software enables me to highlight certain segments of my ride and review that specific snapshot of the ride. For example, during a 3 hour loop, I try to mix in two work sets, where I ride at a slightly higher tempo for 5-10 minutes. I can select this effort and see how consistent my wattage, speed and cadence were. In those work sets, I key in on the heart rate measurements to see if I was able to keep my heart rate down while riding faster. That’s the ultimate goal.
The bottom line – You’re free to go wherever your time and curiosity takes you. Hopefully, my quick review helps you get started down the path and provides a framework to analyze your ride without getting sucked into another dimension.
I’m curious to see how you use the software. Please contact me if you have any suggestions on the topic. You can reach me at (iBikeRider1@gmail.com)
iBike Dash on the Today Show
29 Mar 2011, written by Terri 0 Comments