"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Another bike fit thread?

Yes, yes it is... Any opinions? I know you can't see the legs completely, but it is better than nothing, and I don't really know enough to judge for myself...

http://img233.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bridgerj7.jpg

And this one so you can kind of see my pedals, but not a great angle... I am on the far right (front row)...

http://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ridgezu0.jpg

Here you go.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6067/bridgerj7.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5488/ridgezu0.jpg

Thanks...working on fixing it now.

Ok fixed it, but now it is only links and not the image..oh well

Arms should be bent more. No good to lock your elbows.

What size stem are you using. It looks short as is.

I actually don't remember stem length off the top of my head, but I can look into it

It's really tough to gauge anything from these views. I agree with going bent arms in both pictures.

I think it would be a good goal to work on lowering the bars over time by flipping the stem and eliminating the 30mm of spacers you have under there. As you increase flexibility and power, this will make more and more sense.

In the drops, get your head down. Look up the road by rotating your eyes up to look under your eyebrows.

If you want even a crappy internet position analysis, set up a tripod and a trainer. Take some shots, and a video. Tops (prop up the front wheel to emulate a hill), drops, and hoods.

These two pictures assault every part of my Road Nazi being*, from my eyes to my elbows.

1) Bend your elbows.

2) Switch teams.

3) Buy the next size down when you order bibs.

*Royalty check in the mail, P-caddy.

1. I need to be sure I consciously think about bending the elbows.

2. that is just the informal group I ride with. For the purpose of racing, I am still unattached.

3. the next size down, made interesting tearing noises when I put them on. My butt is still a tad too big (or is it my massive guads?). So that is about all I can do for the shorts/bibs(until the size of my butt goes down)

By bending the elbows, you can get your head lower. Work on rocking/roll-forward at the hips on the seat to keep a straight back while getting lower. You'll find that your stem is too short. I think it's too low as it is, a longer taller one will let you stretch out more. To get lower with back flat since your elbows aren't scrunched up into your ribs and knees.

By bending the elbows, you can get your head lower. Work on rocking/roll-forward at the hips on the seat to keep a straight back while getting lower. You'll find that your stem is too short. I think it's too low as it is, a longer taller one will let you stretch out more. To get lower with back flat since your elbows aren't scrunched up into your ribs and knees.

He also appears to be sitting VERY far back on his saddle.

Scooting forward will help things out, methinks.

The 'Bagel Connection' sponsor on the side panels of the jersey make you and your team mates look fatter. That's like a cop wearing a Dunkin Donuts baseball cap.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/pain.jpg

That is a sweat band. I am a heavy sweater. Therefore, I use that to keep the sweat out of my eyes. It has nothing to do with warmth.

And about the shorts, I will looks into bibs. But Anytime I have gotten a smaller size, it has been too small. Don't know it is my butt or guads, but ripping noises when putting on the smaller size usually means you need the bigger size.

The jersey wasn't my choice, but it isn't my racing jersey, since as I said, I am unattached for the purpose of racing.

I have commented already on the elbows. But they don't hurt me, so I think that picture may have just caught me in a bad position.

That is a sweat band. I am a heavy sweater. Therefore, I use that to keep the sweat out of my eyes. It has nothing to do with warmth.

And about the shorts, I will looks into bibs. But Anytime I have gotten a smaller size, it has been too small. Don't know it is my butt or guads, but ripping noises when putting on the smaller size usually means you need the bigger size.

The jersey wasn't my choice, but it isn't my racing jersey, since as I said, I am unattached for the purpose of racing.

I have commented already on the elbows. But they don't hurt me, so I think that picture may have just
caught me in a bad position.


With good quality bibs, the leg gripping bands on your quads will be too tight before you could possibly rip the fabric itself.

I'm 5'7", 29" inseam for pants. 27 or 28x30 pants. I'll be wearing XS bibs next year if my (new) team can get any in that size.

That is a sweat band. I am a heavy sweater. Therefore, I use that to keep the sweat out of my eyes. It has nothing to do with warmth.

And about the shorts, I will looks into bibs. But Anytime I have gotten a smaller size, it has been too small. Don't know it is my butt or guads, but ripping noises when putting on the smaller size usually means you need the bigger size.

The jersey wasn't my choice, but it isn't my racing jersey, since as I said, I am unattached for the purpose of racing.

I have commented already on the elbows. But they don't hurt me, so I think that picture may have just caught me in a bad position.

you're in the wrong forum.

I am 5'9". My pants are 34w 34L. Working on trying to get the waist to 32 or less. But when I got the last shorts, the size for my waist, I put them on, and a hole in the seam appeared around my butt. So I sent them back for the next size up.

I am guessing the missing part is the "quality". I need to invest in some quality, and not just performance. I may look into the voler, hammer branded ones.

Pay $60, get an actual fit. Internet pictures for fit are essentially useless, and will cause you to hurt.

Your seat looks a tad low, your knee angle should be more acute.

I'll echo the sentiment about bending your elbows, because if you're not consciously aware of the bend...you're not doing it. Especially for the first few months, your triceps will be sore after a long ride in the drops - with properly bent elbows.

The benefit of having a solid bend is twofold, you fatigue less quickly (after you get accustomed to the position of course) and you're better able to handle the bike.

Also - check out this article. It's got some solid tips on DIY fitting.

http://proshop2.trainright.com/oln/default.asp?article=1&sortBy=195&articleID=637

Good eye Snuffleupagus, the extended leg does look a little too bent. Photos of the pros below show that leg being almost fully extended.

The thing is, habits are hard to break and it's best to be flexible (literally and figuratively). The position looks an awful lot like Sean Kelly's and who knows how great he could've been if he wasn't locked into his cramped position based upon riding a childhood bike.

Being aero, being able to operate at high-levels, and being comfortable for hours on end in races is a tough combination. In terms of speed, getting more aero is always a tonne easier than increasing power-output by a comparable amount. The top riders will typically show a stretched out position that allows them to get their heads really low (notice forearms going forward at 45-degree angle):

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cycling/Lance2000tdf.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cycling/Lemond90.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cycling/MarioScirea.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cycling/GeorgeHincapie.jpg

Having forearms that are close to horizontal also has the added benefit of having only as much drag as your hands:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cycling/UCSB-cycling/IrvineCrit2b.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cycling/UCSB-cycling/CP-SLOcrit1s.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cycling/UCSB-cycling/StanfordCrit1s.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cycling/UCSB-cycling/StanfordCrit2s.jpg

And being aero (notice side-stripe of jerseys are parallel with ground & top-tube) not only makes you faster, but also makes the guys behind you work harder. :)

Photos Danno, more photos.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/pain.jpg

It would only be fair if we had a photo of botto to do this to. I have one, but I don't know which rider is Botto and which is his master Morgan.

It would only be fair if we had a photo of botto to do this to. I have one, but I don't know which rider is Botto and which is his master Morgan.

small difference. i went to a real live person to get fitted to my bike.

small difference. i went to a real live person to get fitted to my bike.

It's not about the bike fit, it's about the rank out. You're from NY. I shouldn't have to tell you this.

It's not about the bike fit, it's about the rank out. You're from NY. I shouldn't have to tell you this.

correct.

And being aero (notice side-stripe of jerseys are parallel with ground & top-tube) not only makes you faster, but also makes the guys behind you work harder. :)

At 6'4" I rarely have people behind me who are wind challenged :) In my TT position, I had a friend tell me that he felt like he couldn't find a draft behind me, so I guess I can get close.

I don't think flexibility is an issue. I can pretty much put my palms on the ground with my knees locked. I just have not spent a whole lot of time adjusting things on my bike because this summer is the first time I actually started trying to go fast instead of just ride.

So it looks like I will slowly work on raising my seat and lowering my bars to get a more aero/extended position. Just gotta do it slowly to let my body adjust. Thanks for the advice. Of course, I will eventually get a paid fit from someone watching me, but that is later when I have the money.

So it looks like I will slowly work on raising my seat and lowering my bars to get a more aero/extended position. Just gotta do it slowly to let my body adjust.

No need to raise your saddle or drop the bars.
If you need to get more aero, just bend the elbows.
Best to have your bike set up for comfort, yet still be powerful.
Every major city has a local bike fit guy, so check them out, but always go with what feels best to you, in the end.

Might be fooled by the photo, I don't know, but your thigh seems to be coming up a little high to me. Could be your saddle is a little too low, or less likely, your cranks could be long for you.