I just installed the Specialized stem and went from a 100 mm stem w/ a -17degree drop to a 120mm w/ a -20 degree drop. In an attempt to get lower and increase comfort. So far it feels good aside from maybe my arms being too narrow. However I am sure my shoulders will adapt in a month or so. Please rip my position apart. I can handle it.
I may move my seat back little. Thanks, S
I have no idea…but your Christmas tree looks a little crooked.
Do your knees hit your elbows? You look a bit compact but you do look pretty aero.
IMHO, you look a little cramped. Moving the seat back will help, but you will close your hip angle a little. Sponsored by Specialized? How do you like the trivents? Thinking of getting a pair.
Your elbows aren’t that narrow. I would suspect that any arm/shoulder strain is coming from having your pads so far up the forearam and your wrists so aggressively bent to hold those bars.
Getting the longer/steeper stem has dropped the bars by 6.3mm but has made the pads issue worse. I would want to try a really short stem and long extensions to support your upper body better
Your elbows are not too narrow if your knees are inside the elbows. Work on getting your elbows in line with yout knees. Get your extensions further forward in order to move the elbows forward.
In summary: Elbow narrower and more forward.
ditto.
It looks like you would be more comfortable with a shorter stem to get your aerobar pads closer to your elbows. Other than that your position looks good as long as you’re comfortable being that low and aero.
You’re also going to freeze if you take that bike out for a ride in NW Ohio this time of year.
If you want more power, then angle your bars down a bit…
are you people kidding?
he is too cramped up and his back isnt flat thus decreasing his diaphrams abilty to expand properly
and the post about his Xmas tree… yeah nice one doofus… why even bother posting that? it wasnt even funny OR helpful
longer stem is the way to go
you must have not been here long if you think the christmas tree comment is out of line…
He doesn’t need a longer stem he needs longer bars. if his stem was any longer he’d be using his wrists to hold up his upper body.
Grant
that has got to be the WORST bike position i have EVER seen.
your back looks like a turtle shell. (get the name of a good chiropractor now) there is NO way you have the flexibility to maintain that drop. your seat is too high as you are pointed toe down. the aero extension are too short and angled down too low. the stem is too short saddle isnt even close to level you should move your saddle back after someone qualified does a fit and tells you where it should be. (does ANYONE on here know that certain things are to be set in stone-like saddle fore and aft. you only change fore and aft if you get new shoes, saddle, or switch to a different type of bike) hello-biomechanics people!!
GO see a SEROTTA fitter and get into a biomechanically efficient position that will maximize your comfort, power, AND aero dynamics.
Dang…Lots of advise and differences here…I’m no expert…but:
I think if you get longer aerobars you’d open up everything. The longer bars will allow you to move your elbows further toward your pads and allow more wieght support on the upper arms and closer to the elbows. This will also move your upper arms out further to open the angle from arms to torso closer to 90 degrees. It’ll stretch you out a tad more.
If you are like me, forget about the “flat” back. Some people have curved backs and some can have the approved ST “flat” back. I’ll never have a flat back with the curve I have (look at Lance…his back position was worse then mine : )
I also go against the “approved” level aerobars. I have mine tilted down some and it seems to help me pull up and also helps me stay down. I find that the level bars make me feel as though I can’t get low enough to stay down (I know…its weird). Sent an “STer” one of my recent race pics for position advise and he commented that he’d probably fall over the handlebars with the tilt I have, but it works for me!!
Do Serotta fitters sell chill pills? You should get one…
By what mechanism does that work Zach?
I agree 100% with zipp that you need (much) longer aerobars. You position will be much better once you can get the pads closer to your elbows.
GO see a SEROTTA fitter and get into a biomechanically efficient position that will maximize your comfort, power, AND aero dynamics.
I did that once. I changed it all, mostly by dropping my bars 15cm lower than the guy said was humanly possible. I’m much faster now, and can ride 6+ hours in my current setup.
The problem with some of these fitters is a classic one among “experts”:
They say they’ve done hundreds of bike fits. What they have really done is one bike fit, hundreds of times.
nope but what serotta teaching does give you is a respect for the body. FIST doesnt care about your body and the bad long term effects you WILL suffer from.
you only change fore and aft if you get new shoes, saddle, or switch to a different type of bike)
Or if you want to be faster. That’s a good reason, too.
Oh yes that bending forward can really be devistating to you body.
I’ve suffered more pain in one hockey game then i ever have riding a bike, give me a break.
Grant