Jim@EROsports wrote:
Going to pile on a bit here, but virtually none of this is true.
Over the last two years I've fit 13 Elite UCI World Champions in the aero position on both the track and for road TT. I write that not because it makes me any good at what I do, I'm quite sure they all would have done just fine without me, but, I do have information on those fits no one else does. No matter the size, from 5'-1" on up, all but one would come more forward if the regulations allowed for it. Their saddles are 5cm behind the BB not for muscle recruitment, but because we need the reach exemption for aerodynamics and, gasp, comfort! Yes, though not the primary concern for TT, the athlete still needs some measure of comfort to perform.
Now, I do see far too many Tri fits that are far too forward. It seems like every thread on fit has someone spouting, "Move forward and get lower!" Forward, forward, forward! You know what I think when I see that? Thank you...job security.
To the OP: the biggest difference between TT and Tri fit is all about economy of effort. You need to be able to run off your bike, so the Tri position is less aggressive up front for comfort and a more open hip angle. That's it. Saddle may be a little more forward, but nothing extraordinary, and we have no reach restrictions (at least none to worry about).
Jim, could you please recommend a thread here (or perhaps another online article) which may be edifying for relative aero newbies? I started in TT recently and have been reading, looking at profile diagrams online, tweaking my fit while on training rides, looking at old threads from ST here, trying to learn and understand the balance of aero with comfort, breathing (and resultant power that comes with it), and now I'm not quite sure how I should decide on how far down to drop my armrests.
I'm trying to learn what I can for optimizing aero with consideration of:
- Balancing aero with good breathing for optimizing power output
- Comfort within reason (knowing it's a compromise) that helps to maintain aero position for sustained time periods
I began with an initial fitting and have been making very minor tweaks since, so I'm not distracted by comfort issues and can stay put. Now I feel like I'm in a comfortable (pretty easy breathing) position, but wondering how to maximize aero while maintaining the comfortable breathing and resultant power that comes along with it. I don't want to waste anyone's time with silly questions of experts asked by an aero newbie, would rather study up and honor the time and effort of those who have expertise and have shared discoveries (like you, thank you, btw).
For me as an individual, I'm a bit limited by an abnormally straight cervical spine, so if I get much lower in the front than I already am, I'm going to have to figure out how to watch forward/upward with eyes at an uncomfortable angle, because tilting my head/face up more than I can now in an aero position starts to make my vision blur from what seems to be a blood supply impingement. I'm very flexible in the lower back, so that's not a problem.
Thank you for any suggested reading on aero tweaking/optimizing. I'll read it all.