So I have my final race of they year in 2 weeks or so. IMWI. And because I am stupid I am already looking ahead to next season.
I have a few things I know I need to work on. In particular I need to bike and run this off season. I can do a Triathlon flat 40K at about 22.5mph. I’d like to be able to do 24 next season. (I was at 19.5 last season). I know that might be aggressive…but I am willing to put in the work this winter.
My position on my bike SUCKS. I saw a pic the other day and I may have a full 1.5 inches of spacers in there. So those have to go this off season.
I have a Trek Equinox 7 with stock parts. I have HED Stinger 60/90 race wheels. I have a Giro Advantage 2 race helmet.
Are there any other aero toys out there that may help me on the bike?
I can upgrade components to SRAM or Ultegra…does that really make a big difference?
I suspect a power meter would be very helpful when racing…not sure it’s in the budget. I have a computrainer…so I am pretty good at comparing HR to Power. But races are always different animals.
Anyway…I know I’ll be busting my ass. Just curious as to other things that can help.
My position on my bike SUCKS. I saw a pic the other day and I may have a full 1.5 inches of spacers in there. So those have to go this off season.
This statement makes absolutely no sense. Just because you have 1.5" of spacers does not mean your position sucks. It could mean that your position is fine, but you’re on a frame that isn’t right for you.
What makes you think you can drop the front end 1.5" in the off-season? That’s a HUGE amount, and you could be at the limit of your flexibility already.
My position on my bike SUCKS. I saw a pic the other day and I may have a full 1.5 inches of spacers in there. So those have to go this off season.
This statement makes absolutely no sense. Just because you have 1.5" of spacers does not mean your position sucks. It could mean that your position is fine, but you’re on a frame that isn’t right for you.
What makes you think you can drop the front end 1.5" in the off-season? That’s a HUGE amount, and you could be at the limit of your flexibility already.
Steve
Well I remember the fitter telling that they were there last year…and that as I improved I could remove them as needed. But if i chose to get real aggressive I should be fit properly (which I will).
I guess you’ll have to trust me when I say I am more flexible than what my current fit permits. I look like a great big sail boat.
You don’t need any equiment changes, just some position improvements. Take a look at the pix from the Manti Sprint race last weekend…you’re noggin’ is WAY to high:)
Granted, you’re setup for IM racing and comfort is a bit more of a consideration. Nevertheless, I think you can push your saddle further forward to preserve your hip angle while lowering your bars to get your torso flatter.
Those were the pics that led to this thread…don’t I look like a big boat sailing in the wind? I looked at those and was like…WTF is wrong with me??? A stiff wind might lift me up off my bike…If I weren’t 6’2 and too heavy.
Maybe I am overly critical of myself…but it just looke to me like I could/should be way lower. I’ve got good flexibility…so that isn’t an issue. I’ll need to figure out how low I can get and still maintain power…the fitter and computrainer will help there.
Just to provide the required ST dissenting opinion; you don’t need a fitter to tell you how to be more aero. Too many people try to make fitting sound like rocket science; it’s not. You also keep mentioning how you are more flexible and that doesn’t have anything to do with a good position. When your race is over, take out the spacers, move your seat forward a bit and ride it. We’re only talking about 35mm here. Contrary to what another post-er said, that is not very much compared to the size of your body.
Use a mirror to see what you look like from the front. When your chest is roughly parallel to the ground, your head is tucked and your aero lid fits snugly on your back then you are there. This is not going to be “comfortable” at all. It will be fast, though. You may find power goes down a bit initially, but it will come back and then you have the choice to either ride the same speed and run faster, or ride with the same effort and decrease your bike time without your run suffering.
Chad
