Aero Position Analysis
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UFTriGator posted 44 weeks ago.
Your front end is too high. That'll close up your elbow angle and reduce your CdA.
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Not fast enough.
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J.Michael posted 44 weeks ago.
UFTriGator wrote:
Your front end is too high. That'll close up your elbow angle and reduce your CdA.
Yep. Front end too high and seat maybe a bit low and a fw cm back. But that all depends on where the lower front end puts you. Ideally, your back would be as close to flat as possible while still allowing enough room for the chest to expand.
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kylie posted 44 weeks ago.
WillRace4Food wrote:
After riding in the position (3/4" lower than in the photo) I would say I'm becoming increasing comfortable. My upper body does not sway. I would welcome any input from the forum on this.
Wait... so is the picture your current position, or have you already tweaked it more from there? If you've already tweaked it, you might want to put up a current picture before getting feedback...
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J.Michael posted 44 weeks ago.
I thought he was saying that the photo is of the current position. But he had started to get used to riding in the more aero position, even before adjusting the saddle height. And either hasn't had a chance to ride it much since the adjustment or isn't yet comfortable in the new position.
If it is, that he is not yet comfortable in the new position (the one in photo) I can understand. It seems like in the position pictured, it would tire the shoulder and triceps quite quickly.
Although, I could be wrong. (And I'm prepared to wear that badge)
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”
— Winston Churchill
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Triguy98 posted 43 weeks ago.
J.Michael wrote:
Yep. Front end too high and seat maybe a bit low and a fw cm back. But that all depends on where the lower front end puts you. Ideally, your back would be as close to flat as possible while still allowing enough room for the chest to expand.
Ideally, yes, but a road bike aero position is never truly ideal. It's always going to be more about comfort and power than pure aero. That said, I would take those spacers out from under that stem. The only bike of mine that has any spacers is my MTB, and it has one.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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WillRace4Food posted 43 weeks ago.
J.Michael wrote:
I thought he was saying that the photo is of the current position. But he had started to get used to riding in the more aero position, even before adjusting the saddle height. And either hasn't had a chance to ride it much since the adjustment or isn't yet comfortable in the new position.If it is, that he is not yet comfortable in the new position (the one in photo) I can understand. It seems like in the position pictured, it would tire the shoulder and triceps quite quickly.
Although, I could be wrong. (And I'm prepared to wear that badge)
You got it. The photo represents where I'm riding now AFTER a small tweak.
I'm going to try your advise but I'll ease the transition by riding several sessions as I have it and then take a spacer out and ride for a week then take another out. At that point will take another picture.
I'm pretty comfortable in my arms and shoulders when I'm on the aero bar pads. But I do notice alot more presure on my hands and arms when I'm on the hoods. I'm sure this is typical and will only get worse when I lower the stem. When I first got into triathlon three years ago I tried riding like this without a forward shifting post and it was very uncomfortable. Much better with a steeper effective seat angle.
I'm really anxious to ride outside in this position. That won't happed for at least a month. Very hilly here and I'm curious how I'll feel climbing off the aero bar in the forward position.
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xc800runner posted 43 weeks ago.
WillRace4Food wrote:
I'm pretty comfortable in my arms and shoulders when I'm on the aero bar pads. But I do notice alot more presure on my hands and arms when I'm on the hoods. I'm sure this is typical and will only get worse when I lower the stem.
You will find more pressure on your hands at first, but this can be alleviated a bit by relaxing your elbows and supporting your upper body more through your core muscles. Ultimately, doing this will be more comfortable and allow you to ride longer, harder, than trying to ride with too much pressure on your hands. It's also better for your wrists, especially when in the hoods, to ride with arms relaxed and less pressure in your hands.
I've been into triathlon for several years and I've finally decided to attempt riding in the aero position this season. Most of my training is on hilly terrain but I'm going to try racing this season using my road bike with an older modle Profile Airstrike clip on. I picked up a Nito forward position seat post and a Forte' T2 triathlon saddle. I've read the position recommendations from Friel's book and I've researched the aero fit on sites like Bikesport Michigan (http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/exisitingfit.shtml) I've attached a pic of my position with some lines I've added showing the geometry.
In the picture attached I've just moved my saddle up about 3/4" from where I've been riding for the past couple of months. My first thoughts:
- I think that I need to move it up more to increase the angle between my lower and upper leg by raising the seat height more.
- I need to tighten the angle between my upper and lower arm to 90. The stem on the bike is about as short as possible. Moving the seat forward will tighten the angle up. My knees are close to the arm pads on the aero bar. This is an older model so not sure I can do anything about that.
-I need to work on my flexibiltiy in my hami's and hips.
After riding in the position (3/4" lower than in the photo) I would say I'm becoming increasing comfortable. My upper body does not sway. I would welcome any input from the forum on this.