Been lurking and recently posting a bit more so decided to reach out and see if anyone on the forum might be able to help
Stats:
Height - 166 cm, longer torso
Crank Length - 165mm
Bike - Size 51 Cervelo P2
18-24 Age Group
70.3 Focus
I've been riding a TT bike for a little over 1.5 years now after primarily racing sprint and olympic distance on a road bike. I had a long and valuable session with an independent fitter in my local area using retul when I first got the bike. That set up a good foundation for my fit and I went back once more a month later to make some additional tweaks. Since then, I've gradually gone much lower on the bars and narrowed the pads significantly. The front end feels great and I feel like I could even remove the remaining spacers.
Problem is when it comes to the inside of my quads right above my knees (possibly lower sartorius muscle?) and the front of my lower quads I experience significant soreness/muscular pain at higher intensities. No pain or discomfort in the knees themselves. Z2 - Low Z3 is not really a problem. This has persisted since that initial fit, but it comes and goes with how much it bothers me. I've moved my cleats back as far as they'll go, as well as change from 170mm cranks to 165 on the recommendation of the fitter. The shorter length and cleat placement seemed to help a little compared to when I first got the bike. I've also tried moving the saddle forward bit by bit, as far as a couple centimetres, and tried that for a few months before reverting to the original position which is nearly as far back as it will go. It just did not feel powerful or smooth and made a minimal difference in quad pain. Same goes for experimenting with saddle height changes. Usually when racing or during training, I just suck it up and deal with it.
I do not really experience the same issue when I swap the 165mm cranks for the 170mm on the road bike and adjust the saddle height. 170mm is not quite as comfortable, but still rideable. I do about 5-6 hours of yoga per week along with using a percussive therapy gun to help massage the area. This helps to keep the pain from flaring up.
I'm considering trying 155mm cranks to help. I've been looking at the ROTOR Aldhu24 Cranks along with their Oval Q ring as from what I've read, it seems like some users experience reduced pressure around the knee area. The 165mm Stages L gen. 3 power meter I have would probably just permanently move to the road bike instead of selling since that has no power. It would mean having to swap to ROTOR's inspider power meter or some other option for the TT bike. I have yet to dive down the rabbit hole to see what's compatible. It's worth it if it means I can be totally comfortable while training/racing.
I appreciate any advice, personal experience, etc. on whether or not the shorter cranks + oval ring might help or other suggestions.
Video was taken today around 70.3 effort. Putting it up in case there's any issues someone might notice.
Dominic Pollizzi
Stats:
Height - 166 cm, longer torso
Crank Length - 165mm
Bike - Size 51 Cervelo P2
18-24 Age Group
70.3 Focus
I've been riding a TT bike for a little over 1.5 years now after primarily racing sprint and olympic distance on a road bike. I had a long and valuable session with an independent fitter in my local area using retul when I first got the bike. That set up a good foundation for my fit and I went back once more a month later to make some additional tweaks. Since then, I've gradually gone much lower on the bars and narrowed the pads significantly. The front end feels great and I feel like I could even remove the remaining spacers.
Problem is when it comes to the inside of my quads right above my knees (possibly lower sartorius muscle?) and the front of my lower quads I experience significant soreness/muscular pain at higher intensities. No pain or discomfort in the knees themselves. Z2 - Low Z3 is not really a problem. This has persisted since that initial fit, but it comes and goes with how much it bothers me. I've moved my cleats back as far as they'll go, as well as change from 170mm cranks to 165 on the recommendation of the fitter. The shorter length and cleat placement seemed to help a little compared to when I first got the bike. I've also tried moving the saddle forward bit by bit, as far as a couple centimetres, and tried that for a few months before reverting to the original position which is nearly as far back as it will go. It just did not feel powerful or smooth and made a minimal difference in quad pain. Same goes for experimenting with saddle height changes. Usually when racing or during training, I just suck it up and deal with it.
I do not really experience the same issue when I swap the 165mm cranks for the 170mm on the road bike and adjust the saddle height. 170mm is not quite as comfortable, but still rideable. I do about 5-6 hours of yoga per week along with using a percussive therapy gun to help massage the area. This helps to keep the pain from flaring up.
I'm considering trying 155mm cranks to help. I've been looking at the ROTOR Aldhu24 Cranks along with their Oval Q ring as from what I've read, it seems like some users experience reduced pressure around the knee area. The 165mm Stages L gen. 3 power meter I have would probably just permanently move to the road bike instead of selling since that has no power. It would mean having to swap to ROTOR's inspider power meter or some other option for the TT bike. I have yet to dive down the rabbit hole to see what's compatible. It's worth it if it means I can be totally comfortable while training/racing.
I appreciate any advice, personal experience, etc. on whether or not the shorter cranks + oval ring might help or other suggestions.
Video was taken today around 70.3 effort. Putting it up in case there's any issues someone might notice.
Dominic Pollizzi
Last edited by:
zestypollizzi: May 9, 20 7:43