I don't have a classic body for Tri, more on the short & stocky side, in my 50's I don't expect a major change in my shape either, so you can all put that aside. But out for a ride on my TT bike today I was thinking about the condition the fitter called 'bangin on the gas tank'.
With decent flexibility, I have no trouble with a generally flat back bike position, and can ride an IM on my aero bars no problem. However, my thighs bump my belly on every pedal stoke and while out on a ride today I decided to ask the sages of Slowtwitch for an opinion.
I've noticed on my road bike (with the same PowerTap wheel) my avg power may be 10W or more higher on a given loop than on my TT bike, but speed is higher on my go-fast bike. Some of this is because I ride differently, practicing my slippery tuck on descents, etc, but I also suspect I put out more power in a more open/upright position. Perhaps it is simply getting my gut out of the way?
So my question is, should I aim for a more upright position to get my lunch muscle out of the way (more power, more drag) or focus on staying as low an aero as possible, even if it costs me watts?
.
" I take my gear out of my car and put my bike together. Tourists and locals are watching from sidewalk cafes. Non-racers. The emptiness of of their lives shocks me. "
(opening lines from Tim Krabbe's The Rider , 1978
With decent flexibility, I have no trouble with a generally flat back bike position, and can ride an IM on my aero bars no problem. However, my thighs bump my belly on every pedal stoke and while out on a ride today I decided to ask the sages of Slowtwitch for an opinion.
I've noticed on my road bike (with the same PowerTap wheel) my avg power may be 10W or more higher on a given loop than on my TT bike, but speed is higher on my go-fast bike. Some of this is because I ride differently, practicing my slippery tuck on descents, etc, but I also suspect I put out more power in a more open/upright position. Perhaps it is simply getting my gut out of the way?
So my question is, should I aim for a more upright position to get my lunch muscle out of the way (more power, more drag) or focus on staying as low an aero as possible, even if it costs me watts?
.
" I take my gear out of my car and put my bike together. Tourists and locals are watching from sidewalk cafes. Non-racers. The emptiness of of their lives shocks me. "
(opening lines from Tim Krabbe's The Rider , 1978