Why do so many TDF guys use straight extensions? Lemond in 1989 said "Leverage" was a big benefit of his Scott clip-ons, so maybe that is it. However, I was looking at this photo today:
It seems to me that Jens Voigt's upper body is riding higher with the straight extensions than it would if he had ski bends or any extension with a upward rise.
If his hands rotated up then his elbows, pivoting on the arm rests, would have to come down, along with his upper body. This is due in part to where the arm rest hit his forearms.
It would seem that he could get lower and his head out of the wind more -- be faster-- with aero bar extensions with some upturn to them, assuming he could generate same power and maintain that position, etc. He has most likely been in a tunnel, so what do I know.
Cadel Evans, also on straight extensions, has his elbows almost on the arm rests, and could perhaps benefit from bringing his hands up to prevent "scooping" air. I am sure he has been in the tunnel, so again, what do I know.
It seems possible that both of these guys "could" be faster with ski bend extensions. Thoughts?
Suffer Well.
It seems to me that Jens Voigt's upper body is riding higher with the straight extensions than it would if he had ski bends or any extension with a upward rise.
If his hands rotated up then his elbows, pivoting on the arm rests, would have to come down, along with his upper body. This is due in part to where the arm rest hit his forearms.
It would seem that he could get lower and his head out of the wind more -- be faster-- with aero bar extensions with some upturn to them, assuming he could generate same power and maintain that position, etc. He has most likely been in a tunnel, so what do I know.
Cadel Evans, also on straight extensions, has his elbows almost on the arm rests, and could perhaps benefit from bringing his hands up to prevent "scooping" air. I am sure he has been in the tunnel, so again, what do I know.
It seems possible that both of these guys "could" be faster with ski bend extensions. Thoughts?
Suffer Well.