Armstrong's TT position/suit

Jul 24, 04 13:15

Post #1 of 17 (2400 views)

I noticed this during the TTT but took a closer look today during the individual -

I know that Armstrong has some back issues, but looking at his position on the bike, it looks like he's either got some serious hunchback issues or he's wearing some sort of prosthetic aerodynamic fairing in the back of his suit, on which his radio appears to be mounted.

Am I just dreaming or is this curve a hell of a lot more severe than any other rider? Would such a fairing be legal?

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Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [trio_jeepy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 13:24

Post #2 of 17 (2383 views)

i think that's just Lance's position. I don't know for sure off the top of my head, but I don't think he's ever had the really flat back position you see from some of the riders. Maybe he's a John Cobb "Type B" back.

Slowguy

(insert pithy phrase here...)

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [trio_jeepy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 13:36

Post #3 of 17 (2366 views)

A pic would be nice

AzoTus

Tongue

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [AzoTus] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 14:46

Post #4 of 17 (2288 views)

I'll see if I can find a Graham Watson picture tonight after he posts them..

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin
"Don't you see the rest of the country looks upon New York like we're left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers? I think of us that way sometimes and I live here." - Alvy Singer, "Annie Hall"

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [trio_jeepy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 15:01

Post #5 of 17 (2269 views)

That hump has always been there and no it is not an artificial hump for aero purposes.

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [trio_jeepy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 16:00

Post #6 of 17 (2226 views)

He has well noted back problems and this is why you see him in this position. He can't comfortably lay it flat. You will often see Lance stretch out his back, more than other riders.

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [trio_jeepy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 19:05

Post #7 of 17 (2133 views)

I think he had a hydration pack under his suit. Is that to what you're referring?

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [SDNewGuy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 19:08

Post #8 of 17 (2129 views)

Yeah, I'm aware, but that hump looks really unnatural...

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/...d=51112138&cdi=0

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin
"Don't you see the rest of the country looks upon New York like we're left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers? I think of us that way sometimes and I live here." - Alvy Singer, "Annie Hall"

Last edited by: trio_jeepy: Jul 24, 04 19:13

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [jaylew] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 19:14

Post #9 of 17 (2113 views)

Yep, that would explain it...

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"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin
"Don't you see the rest of the country looks upon New York like we're left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers? I think of us that way sometimes and I live here." - Alvy Singer, "Annie Hall"

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [trio_jeepy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 19:19

Post #10 of 17 (2106 views)

I don't think he had a hydration pack. I remember seeing some pre-race stuff where he was talking about how he wouldn't move his radio around and he was even looking for the most aero way to attach his number. Plus he's got a bottle there in the picture. I think his back has always been that way.

Slowguy

(insert pithy phrase here...)

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [slowguy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 19:58

Post #11 of 17 (2082 views)

Does anybody know what brand of rear disc he is using?? or is it a disguised HED?

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [triathlete37] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 20:00

Post #12 of 17 (2080 views)

every picture I've seen is a Bontrager.

Slowguy

(insert pithy phrase here...)

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [trio_jeepy] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 20:05

Post #13 of 17 (2077 views)

I think it's a bit of an optical illusion.

It looks like the trailing point of his helmet is casting a shadow upon his upper back. When viewed against a dark background, the shadow makes that part of his back "disappear," and it makes the "hump" appear worse than it really is. There's definitely a hump, but I don't think it's that bad...

(Edit: or, maybe I'm wrong: http://www.cyclingnews.com/...-ARMSTRONGCRONO15180 Dang... Look at that thing... But it doesn't look too pronounced here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/...S-ARMSTRONGCRONO-192)

__________________________________________________
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." -- Bertrand Russell

Last edited by: GJB: Jul 24, 04 20:20

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [GJB] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 20:27

Post #14 of 17 (2054 views)

I think I remember reading somewhere his back position was from an old injury and that causes what you see. As far as fairings go I believe UCI would not allow. And as stated why would he use a hydration pack and carry a frame bottle. I also believe UCI disallowed hydration packs unless they reversed their decision.

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [olddude] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 20:42

Post #15 of 17 (2040 views)

In one of his books he mentions that the hump/position is the result of an accident after the 2000 tour ( I think) while training for the Olympics. He broke a bone (or more) in his back. It's been a while since I read the book, so I might be off on the details, but I think it has something to do with this accident.

Chris

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [GJB] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 21:17

Post #16 of 17 (2020 views)

No - I've seen enough stills and the OLN coverage to see that it's a pretty apparent hump. I've seen camels with smaller ones.

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"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin
"Don't you see the rest of the country looks upon New York like we're left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers? I think of us that way sometimes and I live here." - Alvy Singer, "Annie Hall"

Re: Armstrong's TT position/suit [triiowa] [ In reply to ]

Jul 24, 04 21:18

Post #17 of 17 (2018 views)

Quote:

In one of his books he mentions that the hump/position is the result of an accident after the 2000 tour ( I think) while training for the Olympics. He broke a bone (or more) in his back. It's been a while since I read the book, so I might be off on the details, but I think it has something to do with this accident.

...and placing the radio receiver behind the hump reduces the "eddy" effect, so, all in all it works out.

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