Aero position
287
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1443 days
Great Greyhound posted 3 years ago.
First, where are you measuring the drop from?
When I weighed 280+, my flexability limited how low the bars were below the seat. In fact, they were pretty much level. My Guru Racelite is strictly setup for Tri's and/or TT's, cowhorn bar and aerobars.
As I've lost weight down to 195-200, the bars have been lowered. Right now, the pads of the aerobars are about 2 inches below the seat. Much of this is due to increased flexability, I can lower the bars another 1/2 inch or so before I run out of steering headroom.
I do have the option of replacing the Aerobars with a set of S-Bends, or a set of Carbon Strykes, since they mount below the cowhorn bar, would give me another inch or two of drop.
I've made the changes slowly, and have concentrated on the feeling while on the bike. If it didn't feel comfortable, or something wasn't 'Just Right', I'd back the change out.
Darrell "Legs 'n Lungs" Lenkner
in West Chester, Oh.
Check here for Images of us.
.jpg "CAcyclingFAN's picture")
555
Member
1184 days
CAcyclingFAN posted 3 years ago.
I am working on a lower position as well and my coach has me doing more core workouts to help. I believe it is a combo of core strength and flexibility to get there. Not age!
When it's time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived. - Thoreau
2455
Member
1332 days
Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
Stretch! Stretch! And gradually lower the position down. hope you've got some headset spacers in there! Makes that job a lot easier. I spent ~2 weeks in each incrementall drop, and never had a problem.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
56
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1189 days
WayNorth posted 3 years ago.
Wow, that was quick. Shouldn't people be at work?
I am measuring a vertical line from the top of the saddle to the pads of the aero bars.
I like the idea of gradually dropping down every week or two. I have three spacers to go and I can flip my stem back to the 15degree rise it was on arrival (I have it flat now) when those run out.
The core strengthening is a great idea too. I was doing regular Pilates a few years ago when doing just running and it was great but it has fallen to the wayside since triathlons started. I know the core work is a must, especially with swimming, but I have been lazy and feeling like I have done more than enough by the end of the day.
Or maybe I'll angle a mirror on my front brake and just look straight down
Thank you guys.
Garth
129
Member
1296 days
Jeyradan posted 3 years ago.
Hey, Garth, you should come ridin' with us sometime. We just got a couple of guys into new tri bikes (from roadies), and they're working on exactly that right now - gradually dropping the spacers and raising the seat slowly to get into aero position. Come down to Edmonton area much?
Official Hero: Tom Evans
1:12, 42.4, 3:46 1/2 IM
287
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1443 days
Great Greyhound posted 3 years ago.
Thanks Guys,
Forgot about flipping over the stem. My 5 degree stem will buy me a little extra movement down. Think I'll drop the aerobars tomorrow, and then try the lower position on my Sunday ride.
Good Luck,
Darrell "Legs 'n Lungs" Lenkner
in West Chester, Oh.
Check here for Images of us.
56
Member
1189 days
WayNorth posted 3 years ago.
Thanks for the invite, Jayradon I was riding in Edmonton this spring and am down once in a while. I would love someone to ride with and to show me some good routes. i grew up there and the rides I did years ago seem to have turned into suburban neighbourhoods.
And i took out the level and, no surprise, I had overestimated the drop I had. 5 inches to the bars but only 3 and a half to the elbow pads. Too much time spent misjudging 6 inches. Ha Ha
Garth
2455
Member
1332 days
Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
Which aero bars do you have? Some of the profile ones come with big spacers between the pad and the bar. I took those spacers out, but had to dremmel the bolts down a little to get em to screw in all the way. My pads sit RIGHT on top of my aero bar now.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
56
Member
1189 days
WayNorth posted 3 years ago.
Indeed they are profile with about a 1cm spacer. When my neck can stand it I too shall remove them. I will have to look up "dremel" though.
Back from a ride and realize it is both flexibility and neck -extensor strength that need work. Didn't hit anything though.
Thanks a million.
Garth
2455
Member
1332 days
Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
Dremmel- the power tool. Cut the tiny bolts down a little bit. Cant use a grinder, as the bolts are too small. Luckily for use Dremmel comes to the rescue!! (watch for flying bits of metal and exploding cutoff disks!)
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
Hey experienced people,
I have just upgraded to a tri-specific bike from a perfectly adequate road bike (which I will save for group rides and the odd race). The change was mostly to get the benefit of the aggressive seat angle and the aero position it lets one get into. Well, that and the thrill of a shiny new bike. I am wondering how much of a seat-to-bars drop any of the older, creaky guys are able to manage. I was looking at pictures from the recent TT at the World Championship and the guys are like rubber with drops that look like 10 or 12 inches. I couldn't evebn crane around to see my front tire set up like that. I am managing about 6 inches but think I will hit a parked car soon.
Any thoughts? Yoga to maximize flexibility or just admit that I'm old?
Thanks
Garth