PDA

View Full Version : Critique my position on my Tri Bike please!




roadrunner1659
07-01-08, 10:51 PM
Hello Everyone!

So i just picked up this bike at a bike swap at the LBS so no fitting included and i literally have no mulla for one at the moment, so i reaching out to all of you for ur opinioun.

So what do you think? I feel very comfortable in this position...and yes this is a static picture...

...im thinking maybe move the seat back a little...not sure though

Rahzel
07-01-08, 11:44 PM
It looks like you are too "extended" in front. In most cases, this would necessitate a shorter stem. However, in your case I think what you may benefit the most from is sliding your butt/saddle forward, and consequently rolling your hips/upper body forward as well.

You can accomplish this by (a) sliding further forward on the saddle, if it's comfortable; (b) purchasing a zero offset seatpost; and/or (c) purchasing a longer saddle such as the Profile Tri Stryke. You may want to raise your saddle as well, if you decide to move forward--raise it about half a cm for every 2cm forward you move.

Hope that helps!

Pista Largo
07-02-08, 08:31 AM
Here's Levi Leipheimer. His head is quite a bit lower than yours. I think that's the primary issue with your position. Moving your seat further back is probably a bad plan.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tech/features/levi_tunnel/Levi-TunnelJan2005002-reduced.jpg

Triguy
07-02-08, 04:22 PM
[QUOTE=Pista Largo;6985677]Here's Levi Leipheimer. His head is quite a bit lower than yours. I think that's the primary issue with your position. Moving your seat further back is probably a bad plan.

QUOTE]

Levi is riding a 74 degree STA bike on the back of the seat in the pic you posted.:rolleyes: Kind of a contradiction ehh??

To the OP, can you post a frontal shot? Can you drop the bars a bit and seat a little?

cjbruin
07-02-08, 08:28 PM
You may be a little stretched out but it's actually pretty close. I wouldn't move the seat back.

roadrunner1659
07-02-08, 08:32 PM
i dont have a frontal shot but i can have one tomorrow...

i do have another shot from todays ride...this setup has the seat up a little more then the original and the seat is as forward as far as possible, but my coach want me to move it just a few centimeters forward, so im thinking of rotating my seat post...

Rahzel
07-02-08, 09:56 PM
Haha yeah that second picture looks a bunch better. At this point, I think you have three adjustments you could potentially make, but both are contingent on your personal comfort:

1. Your seat may be just a TAD high, but if you're comfortable and powerful there, just leave it.
2. Now you may be a TAD squished in the front end! (This is the opposite problem from before). However, this one is easy to diagnose. If, on your long rides (90 minutes or more) you have *any* shoulder or arm pain (particularly in the triceps) I'd look to get your aerobars forward just a bit. But if you're totally comfortable, then great!
3. If you can get "lower" in the front end (with a more negative stem of the same length), that may help your overall speed, but at the same time you may not be as comfortable, particularly in your neck and back. If you're only doing sprints and olympic distances, though, it may be worth it to try and find a lower stem.

Again, these are simply "personal preference" adjustments but this is a much better position.

roadrunner1659
07-03-08, 10:39 AM
here is another position option...the handle bars had a spacer on them, so i switched it, which lowered the bars about 1/2 inch or so...along with a frontal shot

thehammerdog
07-03-08, 12:25 PM
Dude comfort =Speed. If it feels good leave it be. As you ride more you body will tellya what you need to do. the second shot looked spot on. Remember th emore you ride th emore your body and your splits will tell ya what to do. I have found that a to foward seat will destroy one's knee's. Nice job.
Scott/NJ:thumb:

cslone
07-05-08, 05:54 PM
Try to "turtle" your head a little more. Drop it between your shoulder blades to get out of the wind. Other than that, it doesn't look bad, especially if it's comfortable.

kuf
07-07-08, 01:04 AM
Here's Levi Leipheimer. His head is quite a bit lower than yours. I think that's the primary issue with your position. Moving your seat further back is probably a bad plan.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tech/features/levi_tunnel/Levi-TunnelJan2005002-reduced.jpg

UCI has rules about how far forward the saddle can be. (that's why some riders need to sit on the saddle in a rather uncomfortable way for the TTs). You also want your saddle more forward than the Cycling Pros, as you want to preserve some muscles for the run.

kuf
07-07-08, 01:08 AM
here is another position option...the handle bars had a spacer on them, so i switched it, which lowered the bars about 1/2 inch or so...along with a frontal shot

Looks better. Your head is still a big wind blocker though.

I would ask what distance you plan on racing, to determine what level of discomfort you should be experiencing. The longer, the more relaxed. The shorter, the more agressive.