What is the "cockpit"?
#26
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It was theoretically fashionable to have your cockpit be of one brand. So some definitions of cockpit be seatpost/saddle/stem and bars. Ie. every tubed item that isn't the frame. Now most stuff is always the same brand as the bike, as the manufacturers figured out they were giving away money to other companies that they didn't have to.
Personally, I think of the seatpost, stem and bars as the cockpit. Anything that you adjust for a bike fit. So the saddle.. not really. Also because the saddle is so often swapped out for whatever works best for your butt
Personally, I think of the seatpost, stem and bars as the cockpit. Anything that you adjust for a bike fit. So the saddle.. not really. Also because the saddle is so often swapped out for whatever works best for your butt
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It is a term that I abhor when applied to bicycles. It refers to the relationship between the bicycle saddle and handlebars along with their position above the pedals. I hate it. Fighter airplanes have an actual cockpit. It is an enclosed space where the pilot situates themself in order to fly the aircraft. Using this term to talk about fitting a bicycle to its user seems absurd to me
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LMAO. I worked for small sporting goods company, and went back with one of the managers after hours, and one of my techs was already there with one of the sales girls, they made some excuse about prepping the sale and sheeppishly went on their way, and well, we were already there, so....
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The important question is, do endurance bikes have cockpits?
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As long as you want to get into that topic, I think we should change the term "clip on" aero bars. Maybe back in the day, but I have yet to see any that were anything other than a clamp on or bolt on fit. Same for clipless pedals. I understand the history, but it's just that, history. You either ride flats or clip pedals. Just my $0.02.
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As long as you want to get into that topic, I think we should change the term "clip on" aero bars. Maybe back in the day, but I have yet to see any that were anything other than a clamp on or bolt on fit. Same for clipless pedals. I understand the history, but it's just that, history. You either ride flats or clip pedals. Just my $0.02.
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I think you see lots of cocktails in the cockpit.
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What I am gathering, and a definition that makes sense to me, is the points of the bicycle in which any part of the cyclist not directly associated with power production rests. So, I'm leaning towards anything "butt and up". Of course, you could then argue about including the seat when standing up and mashing, but that's not exactly normal cycling position.
Control area .... make of it what you will.
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I never really thought about it in detail until you asked. I would say it has to include the parts of the bike that you make tactile contact with, as if I take an airplane or racing automobile as a blueprint, it would have to include not only the hands, but the butt and feet. Bar, saddle and the pedals, and the positioning of such. Myself I would include the "angle of view" of the riders positioning/orientation to the horizon, as that has a great influence on what parts you'd consider in the first place.. You know, you can have a tall upright cockpit if you're sitting up with high swept back bars, a very streamlined one in a long low aero position on drop or TT bars. Yes this a more broad way of looking at it, but that's how I see it, the bike and rider and ride are "one whole unit" so to speak. A bike ride needs a bike and a rider, neither of themselves can do that without the other. Everything works like a symphony, while everyone and their instruments plays their the individual notes, the Music itself is one whole symphonic melody, one whole "ride" if you will. That "ride" includes everything, the bike, rider and all surroundings. The infinitesimal and the infinite are indivisible, all-inclusive and non-exclusive.
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Several manufacturers use the term "cockpit" to refer strictly to the handlebar/stem arrangement. Saddles not involved, to say nothing of pedals.
Which makes sense: "cockpit" is a useful catchall term for a manufacturer's various one-piece and two-piece handlebar/stem SKUs.
In fact, I would guess that the use of the term "cockpit" (referring exclusively to handlebars plus stems) originated with bike or component manufacturers.
But, interestingly, Canyon seems to make a distinction between one-piece ("cockpit") and two-piece examples.
Which makes sense: "cockpit" is a useful catchall term for a manufacturer's various one-piece and two-piece handlebar/stem SKUs.
In fact, I would guess that the use of the term "cockpit" (referring exclusively to handlebars plus stems) originated with bike or component manufacturers.
But, interestingly, Canyon seems to make a distinction between one-piece ("cockpit") and two-piece examples.
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To quote Google "The cockpit components include all the contact points between rider and bike - handlebars, saddle and pedals. Also in this category are the other essential parts including headsets and seatposts."