Getting power down?!

[Martinsnos]

Hi,
I’ve just recently got a road bike and I have a hybrid bike. I definitely have a faster average on the road bike. However, on steep hills, I always feel like I ‘get the power down’ - better [?] on my hybrid bike - I feel I can drive my quads harder on the hybrid.
Is it just that it ‘is’ harder and therefore I feel it more or is there a bit of science behind maybe I am able to put more power down?
Does anyone else have this experience and know what I mean?!
Many thanks.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Different position probably

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Do you have times for the same hill on each bike? That ultimately will tell you if you really are putting more power down on the hybrid.

 

[Specialeyes]

Maybe you're pulling on the bars as you climb and the wider bars on the hybrid make you feel more 'planted' and with a longer lever to pull against. Very few people deadlift weights with their hands 42cm apart at the outsides, so yes, different position, probably, as @T.M.H.N.E.T says.

 

[fossyant]

Bike position should be the same. It's in your head.

 

[cyberknight]

longer cranks on the hybrid ? i know when i used longer cranks felt you were putting more power by having to push the gear around.

 

[Martinsnos]

Do you have times for the same hill on each bike? That ultimately will tell you if you really are putting more power down on the hybrid.

ev

Do you have times for the same hill on each bike? That ultimately will tell you if you really are putting more power down on the hybrid.

Good point - I should do that.

 

[Martinsnos]

longer cranks on the hybrid ? i know when i used longer cranks felt you were putting more power by having to push the gear around.

That’s very possible.

Thanks everyone, all interesting points. I should definitely time the hill and then allowing for the extra weight of the hybrid if it is a very similar time then my basic physics tells me I generate more power on the hybrid - but let‘s see!!!

 

[ChrisEyles]

Different body position can mean you use more quads (seat forward) or more hamstrings (seat back) to produce power, which can feel quite different.

Don't think either is particularly better, after all your fitness and muscle strength/endurance will adapt to whatever you're used to.

 

[DCBassman]

Is the gearing like for like?

 

[Martinsnos]

Different body position can mean you use more quads (seat forward) or more hamstrings (seat back) to produce power, which can feel quite different.

Don't think either is particularly better, after all your fitness and muscle strength/endurance will adapt to whatever you're used to.

many thanks

 

[Martinsnos]

Is the gearing like for like?

Completely different. I think it could be as simple as I just ride the road bike (more spinny) in a different way to the hybrid (grind) but I kind of like the grind feeling I get with the hybrid and the road bike doesn’t feel like it suits that type of riding - but I could try and adapt to more of a grind on it.