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Home > Forum > Triathlon Forum > Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position?

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Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position?
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mitochondria
Mar 12, 19 5:21
Post #1 of 13 (1997 views)
I've had the same TT position for a couple of years. For the majority of this time I've been able to ride it with no issues, but I have some periods where the top of my thighs hit my chest and I really struggle to get my normal power out. It feels to me like I am being limited by my biomechanics rather than fitness when this is the case, and it is most noticeable at higher powers. This happens independently of how much time I have been spending on the TT bike.

Any thoughts as to what could be causing this, and what I should be doing to remedy it? I'd rather find a solution to the issue rather than adjust the bike if possible, as I've had some good results with the position when not having issues.
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mitochondria] [ In reply to ]
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Tsunami
Mar 12, 19 5:32
Post #2 of 13 (1963 views)
I don't have a suggestion, rather a question: are you M or F and would changing hormones impact chest (breast?) size? I mean, it sounds like something phisiological changed about your fit. Did you get a new saddle that allows you to rotate your pelvis more than you could at your prior fit adjustment?
To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mitochondria] [ In reply to ]
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TriFluid
Mar 12, 19 5:41
Post #3 of 13 (1935 views)
Crank length? Photos of your position with knees at maximum flexion/top of pedal stroke?
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [TriFluid] [ In reply to ]
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Sub17Project
Mar 12, 19 6:14
Post #4 of 13 (1878 views)
Your fit sucks. Too stretched out on the front end.
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mitochondria] [ In reply to ]
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jaretj
Mar 12, 19 6:23
Post #5 of 13 (1855 views)
If you haven't changed your fit then is it possible that you are starting to point your toes down while riding?

Can you consciously try to lower your heel while riding?
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mitochondria] [ In reply to ]
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Otis
Mar 12, 19 6:30
Post #6 of 13 (1830 views)
Without seeing a pic/vid and assuming saddle height is correct and drop is appropriate, your hip angle is too closed. If this is the case, you’ll need to push your saddle forward (depending on current effective seat angle) and/or switch to a shorter crank. Note that these changes have an impact on your other fit coordinates.
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mitochondria] [ In reply to ]
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Ohio_Roadie
Mar 12, 19 6:42
Post #7 of 13 (1794 views)
mitochondria wrote:
I've had the same TT position for a couple of years. For the majority of this time I've been able to ride it with no issues, but I have some periods where the top of my thighs hit my chest and I really struggle to get my normal power out. It feels to me like I am being limited by my biomechanics rather than fitness when this is the case, and it is most noticeable at higher powers. This happens independently of how much time I have been spending on the TT bike.

Any thoughts as to what could be causing this, and what I should be doing to remedy it? I'd rather find a solution to the issue rather than adjust the bike if possible, as I've had some good results with the position when not having issues.

This was pretty much how I always rode until I got fit at CycloLogic a few years back. My bottom two ribs flare out so my quads hit my ribs. The solution was to get custom 13cm risers for my Shiv TT and to switch from 172.5 to 165 cranks. I’m not exactly the most aero in the position but I can hold the power for a bit since I’m not knocking my ribs every pedal stroke.
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mwanner13] [ In reply to ]
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TriFluid
Mar 12, 19 6:43
Post #8 of 13 (1792 views)
Who are you replying to? I'd further assert that you're incorrect regardless and that most people (with very few exceptions) would benefit from more reach a la Eric Reid.
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mitochondria] [ In reply to ]
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grumpier.mike
Mar 12, 19 6:43
Post #9 of 13 (1792 views)
Well the quick answer is it sounds like shorter cranks are in order, but. I also find that flexibility plays a big role in fit. I am not very flexible, but when I stick to a Yoga routine my “normal” position feels too short and the seat height too low.

I have ridden and been fit on 54cm bikes for 10-15 years. After a couple years of yoga my seat height has come up 1cm and stem length has gotten 1cm longer. I am now getting really close to being a better fit on a 56.
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [Tsunami] [ In reply to ]
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mitochondria
Mar 12, 19 10:53
Post #10 of 13 (1617 views)
Tsunami wrote:
I don't have a suggestion, rather a question: are you M or F and would changing hormones impact chest (breast?) size? I mean, it sounds like something phisiological changed about your fit. Did you get a new saddle that allows you to rotate your pelvis more than you could at your prior fit adjustment?

It's my thighs hitting the bottom of my ribs. Same saddle, all contact points unchanged.

jaretj wrote:
If you haven't changed your fit then is it possible that you are starting to point your toes down while riding?

Can you consciously try to lower your heel while riding?

Yes, this is very possible. Any ideas what would cause me to start doing that?

To make my problem more clear - I rode the bike last week and was fine (thighs did not hit ribs). Didn't change anything. Rode it this morning, and my thighs were hitting my ribs.
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mitochondria] [ In reply to ]
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desert dude
Mar 12, 19 10:58
Post #11 of 13 (1598 views)
Quote:
To make my problem more clear - I rode the bike last week and was fine (thighs did not hit ribs). Didn't change anything. Rode it this morning, and my thighs were hitting my ribs.

This thread is pretty worthless without pics.
You may not have been sitting in the exact same place, you may be holding your upper body differently etc
Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [desert dude] [ In reply to ]
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burnthesheep
Mar 12, 19 12:02
Post #12 of 13 (1536 views)
If it was fine, you didn't touch it, but it does this now.......is it possible a clamp somewhere has slipped that you didn't notice? Seat clamp loose and seat dropped down after a bad bump on the road?
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Re: Thighs intermittently hitting chest in TT position? [mitochondria] [ In reply to ]
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alfonso132
Mar 12, 19 12:05
Post #13 of 13 (1532 views)
mitochondria wrote:
Tsunami wrote:
I don't have a suggestion, rather a question: are you M or F and would changing hormones impact chest (breast?) size? I mean, it sounds like something phisiological changed about your fit. Did you get a new saddle that allows you to rotate your pelvis more than you could at your prior fit adjustment?


It's my thighs hitting the bottom of my ribs. Same saddle, all contact points unchanged.

jaretj wrote:
If you haven't changed your fit then is it possible that you are starting to point your toes down while riding?

Can you consciously try to lower your heel while riding?


Yes, this is very possible. Any ideas what would cause me to start doing that?

To make my problem more clear - I rode the bike last week and was fine (thighs did not hit ribs). Didn't change anything. Rode it this morning, and my thighs were hitting my ribs.

Is it possible that you seat-post may have slipped? Do you remember hitting any potholes?
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