Categories: Accessories and GearProduct ReviewReverenceTechniqueTechnology

Reverence: LeMond Revolution

The LeMond Revolution

I read recently that a number of Pros like to ride the turbo for an hour or so before having breakfast in the morning to jump start the old metabolic system. Which means that now I ride the trainer for an hour in the morning before breakfast. I think the Pros probably do it to lose weight, and I do it partly for that reason but also to burn off the hangover which comes as a result of my status as a semi-professional drinker.

I used to ride an old Tacx trainer, but I found riding the device only slightly preferable to shoving bamboo shoots under my fingernails. Then I got a LeMond Revolution and now I actually look forward to my morning sessions. I’d been interested in the LeMond Revolution trainers for some time, but it wasn’t until I discovered that the device is based on a direct-drive trainer that Greg’s coach built for him in the 80’s that I decided to embark on my new morning ritual at the mercy of one. After all, if it was good enough to help LeMan become a Tour de France winner, then surly it was good enough to help me get less fat and become less of a weakling.

The first thing you notice about these little numbers that you remove the rear wheel from your bike and mount the Revolution in its place. This means no wheel slippage on the mag and what amounts to a remarkably pleasant ride feel. The second thing you notice about the trainer is that its bloody hard to spin up; I start crossed in a 53×26 and can hardly turn the pedals at first, but there is no way I’m shifting into my little ring on a trainer on account of my not being a giant sissy. The third thing you notice is that it’s actually fun to ride; I turn on some old Cycling movies and before I know it, I find my buzzer going off indicating the hour has already passed. I had no idea riding a trainer didn’t have to suck.

But lets be clear: we are road cyclists, and we ride on the road. A long ride in the cold wind and rain is preferable to even an hour on an indoor trainer. But trainers do represent an important training tool and as such should be a part of every Cyclist’s arsenal. I’m on it every morning, and as the season looms I’m looking to it more and more for intervals and power work. Not to mention that as I prepare for my Hour ride on Festum Prophetae, I’m training Obree Style on my Revolution.

Before we get too carried away with this indoor riding business, let’s review some examples of acceptable reasons to ride a trainer:

Strength and/or interval training.
Pedaling technique work.
Hour Record simulation training.
Pre-breakfast rides to help lose weight, assuming you still hit the road after breakfast.
Recovery from injury.

Examples of unacceptable reasons to ride a trainer:

Its raining outside and you don’t want to get wet.
Its cold outside and you don’t want to get cold.
Its windy outside and you don’t want to get blown around.
Its cold and wet outside and you don’t want to get cold and wet.
Its cold and wet and windy out and you don’t want to get blown around while getting cold and wet.

[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Revolution/”/]

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

The Oracle says:

Jan 22 2014 at 11:38 am

@frank

@Jay

Where does "It is dark and unsafe to ride outside when I do have free time at this time of year" fit in to your lists?

Lights. Also, the lists are stated to be examples, and as such are not categorically complete.

I think a cursory glance will get you a solid idea of what types of situations are deemed appropriate and which are not.

So what you're saying is that your lists are categorically incomplete? Is that even possible?
The Oracle says:

Jan 22 2014 at 11:39 am

Hey, cool, the plus one badge.
frank says:

Jan 22 2014 at 11:54 am

@Chris

You have much to learn, Pedalwan. LS Jerseys are a crucial piece of kit, and are not intended for racing outside the early season. They are normally cut to fit over other clothing, and in such a way that pockets of air form between the skin and the fabric, which is what keeps you warm.

The fit of this particular jersey, which you seem to be judging based on one arm and half a shoulder, is perfect.
pistard says:

Jan 22 2014 at 12:02 pm

@Chris Alienating recumbent riders is one thing...they choose to ride them. But if the community is going to tolerate homophobic slurs, that's me out.
wiscot says:

Jan 22 2014 at 12:04 pm

L/S jerseys are essential kit. So are full bib tights. A true Velominatus must be outfitted with enough gear to handle any weather situation. Admittedly, in WI this can lead to a shit load of gear as I ride in temps ranging from the mid 20s to the low 100s.

Hell, I'm riding the trainer in my (unheated) garage wearing full tights and a L/S jersey. it's 23 degrees in there!
Collin says:

Jan 22 2014 at 12:25 pm

@wiscot

I agree. This winter in the Midwest has been terribly cold and snowy. Far more time inside than I'd like. I managed to do 40K with the temp -14C and snow falling from the sky, but I was pretty frozen when I made it home.

I am with the rollers crowd here. You can spin them up plenty fast, stand up, etc. once you're used to them. I never made it more than an hour on a trainer, but managed five hours on rollers on Sunday. Rollers are simply more like riding a bike than a trainer. The "I have to pay attention or I fall over" thing is endless valuable.
Chris says:

Jan 22 2014 at 12:41 pm

@pistard How would you have felt if I'd called Frank a lanky Dutch wanker instead?

This is an interesting and complex area but in short, I firmly believe that if there is no intended homophobia (or racism, sexism etc.) and there is also a belief that the recipient won't take it as such then it's not a homophobic slur.

Having been on the receiving end of racial slurs at boarding school, I know what real abuse is like but I'm also of the belief that we're generally getting too uptight about perceived slurs.

However, if Frank is offended or feels that he's been the victim of a homophobic slur, I'm truly sorry. Without the intent, though, it isn't really any different to calling him a cunt.
Weldertron says:

Jan 22 2014 at 1:26 pm

@frank

@Chris

You have much to learn, Pedalwan. LS Jerseys are a crucial piece of kit, and are not intended for racing outside the early season. They are normally cut to fit over other clothing, and in such a way that pockets of air form between the skin and the fabric, which is what keeps you warm.

The fit of this particular jersey, which you seem to be judging based on one arm and half a shoulder, is perfect.

If you like a tight fitting LS jersey, the Castelli Transparente is my jersey of choice from april til june, and september to december. It has a windproof front and shoulders, with the back and lower arms a stretchy cotton.

@wiscot

L/S jerseys are essential kit. So are full bib tights. A true Velominatus must be outfitted with enough gear to handle any weather situation. Admittedly, in WI this can lead to a shit load of gear as I ride in temps ranging from the mid 20s to the low 100s.

Hell, I'm riding the trainer in my (unheated) garage wearing full tights and a L/S jersey. it's 23 degrees in there!

If i'm not mistaken, it is an unwritten rule that shorts+warmers are the way to go.
cyclebrarian says:

Jan 22 2014 at 1:37 pm

@norm

I would like to get a few more Sufferfest vids. I did ride for over an hour yesterday on the trainer to a 1999 TdF video featuring the Pirate - put the bike on the highest riser setting and just rode. I forgot to put the fan on and didn't feel like stopping to turn it on, so it felt a little like I was pedaling in the summer around here. But I want to get back to the SF vids.
wiscot says:

Jan 22 2014 at 1:47 pm

@Weldertron

@frank

@Chris

You have much to learn, Pedalwan. LS Jerseys are a crucial piece of kit, and are not intended for racing outside the early season. They are normally cut to fit over other clothing, and in such a way that pockets of air form between the skin and the fabric, which is what keeps you warm.

The fit of this particular jersey, which you seem to be judging based on one arm and half a shoulder, is perfect.

If you like a tight fitting LS jersey, the Castelli Transparente is my jersey of choice from april til june, and september to december. It has a windproof front and shoulders, with the back and lower arms a stretchy cotton.

@wiscot

L/S jerseys are essential kit. So are full bib tights. A true Velominatus must be outfitted with enough gear to handle any weather situation. Admittedly, in WI this can lead to a shit load of gear as I ride in temps ranging from the mid 20s to the low 100s.

Hell, I'm riding the trainer in my (unheated) garage wearing full tights and a L/S jersey. it's 23 degrees in there!

If i'm not mistaken, it is an unwritten rule that shorts+warmers are the way to go.

I was doing the knee warmers, then the leg warmers, but when it was in the low 20s/teens in the garage I went full tights. A bit more warmth around the delicate parts than just regular lycra. I'm working hard during my sessions, but not exactly sweating buckets. When you can see your breath as clearly as if it were cigarette smoke, you know it's cold!