Critique my position please

Jul 12, 20 22:37

Post #1 of 60 (4419 views)

Hi all,
I’m new on here so please go gently on me!
I’m trying to improve my 10 and 25 mile TT times, I have been riding my road bike with clip on bars, but it became apparent that I couldn’t get the seat far enough forward or the front low enough.
So any excuse- I bought a TT frame, I have put it together with a load of bits I already had, so drop bars and clip ons for now, just to try to work out position before buying more bits.
I’m reasonable comfortable and can see clearly down the road in this position.
Cheers for any advice

Finally
https://vimeo.com/437846140

It’s a 53cm frame
165mm cranks
I’m 169cm
69kg

Last edited by: PJR: Jul 13, 20 6:10

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 0:44

Post #2 of 60 (4359 views)

*insert default slowtwitch reply here*

(aka "your saddle's too high")

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 6:12

Post #3 of 60 (4227 views)

Ok, I couldn’t get a vid to upload so I’ve put a link to a clip on Vimeo

Any comments welcome....

Re: Critique my position please [MattyK] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 6:22

Post #4 of 60 (4215 views)

The saddle is actually too high lol. Not an expert (not even close), but if you pause the video right at 0:03, your leg is almost fully extended and you are still ankling (toes down) to reach the pedal at the bottom of the stroke. There is a bit of rocking too probably from the leg over-extension.

Re: Critique my position please [Engner66] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 6:33

Post #5 of 60 (4200 views)

Yes, I did think it was a little high, when I looked at the video, I’ll drop that down a little tonight

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 7:03

Post #6 of 60 (4180 views)

PJR wrote:

Yes, I did think it was a little high, when I looked at the video, I’ll drop that down a little tonight

From my amateur eye agree the seat is a tad too high...I would probably drop it by a cm and see how it looks again (post a video). Also, does your trainer need a riser block to keep it level. It actually does not look bad otherwise aero wise from the side. What frame are you using? What size cranks are you using? Is there any reason you have gone with road bike bars with clip ons and not a full TT set up (granted you would need an entire cockpit). Just you will be able to get more aero, and have less stuff out in the wind from the road bars and a lot lot more adjustability.

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 7:13

Post #7 of 60 (4168 views)

PJR wrote:

Hi all,
I’m new on here so please go gently on me!
I’m trying to improve my 10 and 25 mile TT times, I have been riding my road bike with clip on bars, but it became apparent that I couldn’t get the seat far enough forward or the front low enough.
So any excuse- I bought a TT frame, I have put it together with a load of bits I already had, so drop bars and clip ons for now, just to try to work out position before buying more bits.
I’m reasonable comfortable and can see clearly down the road in this position.
Cheers for any advice

Finally
https://vimeo.com/437846140

It’s a 53cm frame
165mm cranks
I’m 169cm
69kg

i disagree with everyone, your saddle is WAY too high.

otherwise your position is good, but will need to look again once you lower it quite a bit (>2cm prob).

Re: Critique my position please [jkhayc] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 8:16

Post #8 of 60 (4121 views)

Ok cheers for the comments, I’ll get the seat a couple of cms lower tonight, and do another video.

It’s a 53cm frame with 165mm cranks.
I’m using the drop bars because I haven’t got anything else at the moment!
When I’m happy with the position I’ll get some more suitable ones.

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 8:20

Post #9 of 60 (4115 views)

If I lower the seat by 2cm should I also lower the front by 2cm?

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 11:45

Post #10 of 60 (4027 views)

Do you have a blower to clean the roof of your shed?

---------------

"Remember: a bicycle is an elegant and efficient tool designed for seeking out and defeating people who aren't as good as you."

--BikeSnobNYC

Re: Critique my position please [jkhayc] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 11:56

Post #11 of 60 (4012 views)

jkhayc wrote:

PJR wrote:

Hi all,
I’m new on here so please go gently on me!
I’m trying to improve my 10 and 25 mile TT times, I have been riding my road bike with clip on bars, but it became apparent that I couldn’t get the seat far enough forward or the front low enough.
So any excuse- I bought a TT frame, I have put it together with a load of bits I already had, so drop bars and clip ons for now, just to try to work out position before buying more bits.
I’m reasonable comfortable and can see clearly down the road in this position.
Cheers for any advice

Finally
https://vimeo.com/437846140

It’s a 53cm frame
165mm cranks
I’m 169cm
69kg

i disagree with everyone, your saddle is WAY too high.

otherwise your position is good, but will need to look again once you lower it quite a bit (>2cm prob).

2cm? I'd say start with 2". Seriously.

Mike Sparks

I have competed well, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Re: Critique my position please [Sparks] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 12:43

Post #12 of 60 (3985 views)

Ok, I’ve lowered seat by 20mm and here’s another video

https://vimeo.com/437966489

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 12:46

Post #13 of 60 (3977 views)

No time to clean shed, too many bikes to play with.....

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 13:11

Post #14 of 60 (3946 views)

Looks like you need to come down at least that much again, the pedal stroke still looks clunky. Your front end will obviously need to be adjusted afterwards as well.

@the.lazy.triathlete

https://www.strava.com/athletes/18691068

Re: Critique my position please [TLT] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 14:18

Post #15 of 60 (3913 views)

TLT wrote:

Looks like you need to come down at least that much again, the pedal stroke still looks clunky. Your front end will obviously need to be adjusted afterwards as well.

+1

You are still reaching for the pedal at 6:00. As noted, the front end should come down as well. You have a good back position in the first video and don't want to lose that.

Current video:

Original video:

ECMGN Therapy Silicon Valley:
Depression, Neurocognitive problems, Dementias (Testing and Evaluation), Trauma and PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Re: Critique my position please [Titanflexr] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 14:24

Post #16 of 60 (3905 views)

Yes, I’ll drop the seat down more. I’ve also got some aero bars I can put on which are lower to match.

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 15:01

Post #17 of 60 (3875 views)

I’ve also still got a big spacer under the stem, so plenty of adjustment available.

Again many thanks for your input, I’ll do another video in the morning

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 15:59

Post #18 of 60 (3839 views)

If spacer removal isn't enough, move to a -17deg stem (// to the top tube).

My go to is the Kalloy UNO (https://www.ebay.com/...f:g:UzEAAOSwOC1ddx9F ). Light, inexpensive.

Edit note: If that's a 1" fork steerer, you will need an adapter sleeve (most current stems are for 1-1/8" steerers). Also make sure that handlebars are 31.8 clamp dia (not 26.0). That's an older bike, so not sure what was spec'd.

ECMGN Therapy Silicon Valley:
Depression, Neurocognitive problems, Dementias (Testing and Evaluation), Trauma and PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Last edited by: Titanflexr: Jul 13, 20 16:04

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 16:14

Post #19 of 60 (3830 views)

PJR wrote:

Yes, I’ll drop the seat down more. I’ve also got some aero bars I can put on which are lower to match.

if that second video was 20mm lower, i'd go down 3 more. like the poster a few above me said, it might be at least a couple of inches high, literally.

Re: Critique my position please [jkhayc] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 22:49

Post #20 of 60 (3750 views)

Change of background today- raining

I’ve gone down with the saddle by another 20mm, and fitted some aero bars, which have dropped the front a little, bit not as much as the seat. (Still got spacers to go lower at front.)

The bottom of the stroke definitely feels more comfortable and less of a stretch, although it is starting to feel a little cramped at the top of the stroke.
I think the pedalling feels smoother, but now feel as if I need to raise the saddle a little. Maybe 5mm.

Video
https://vimeo.com/438088041

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 13, 20 23:13

Post #21 of 60 (3738 views)

You need a shorter crank arm length.

Re: Critique my position please [jimatbeyond] [ In reply to ]

Jul 14, 20 0:10

Post #22 of 60 (3714 views)

I use 165mm on all my bikes because of my short legs, but I think your right, for this use shorter would be fine.

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 14, 20 3:42

Post #23 of 60 (3672 views)

Is that a LR Series? Think I can just about spot the leaf spring hanger there. More pics of that!

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 14, 20 4:17

Post #24 of 60 (3652 views)

What type of saddle is that? I think you could still go lower but getting you steeper and more rotated would also be a goal.

Re: Critique my position please [PJR] [ In reply to ]

Jul 14, 20 5:00

Post #25 of 60 (3615 views)

You seem a lot more stable and solid in this position.

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