miamijim

While watching Saturdays TdF TT it appeared as if the riders seat heights are lower than typical road race heights, their cadences were slower which I understand but they also appeared to have shorter cranks as well.

1. Are Tri/TT seat heights typicaly lower than road race height? If so why?
2. I know why cadences are lower....I'm good there.
3. Are Tri/TT crankarms shorter and if so why?

Quel

Not quite sure about seat height. I want about the same knee angle on both my tri and road bikes. I think that results in a lower overall seat height on the tri bike because I'm seated more over the top of the bottom bracket than on the road bike. But the knee angle is about the same, for me.

The current rage is to go to shorter cranks. The reasoning being that it allows you to have a more open hip angle (your knee isn't coming as high towards your chest), which means you can go a little lower in the front or breathe a little easier.