The seat angle is only a part of the difference between the two geometrys. But if I could swap between bike with no penalty you bet I would depending on the conditions. It would certainly add an extra skill to cycling, and allow bike fitters to charge at least double
My current bike is a softride and I bet it would not be too hard to rig something up that would alow me to slide the seat postion backwards and forwards while ridding.
Making it safe would be my main concern, I would h8 to taking a downhill corner at 40+ and slide off the back
I must say that I have a soft spot for Soft Ride if youāll pardon the pun. They have some wonderful qualities that more than compensate for their pitfalls in my opinion. The thing I really like is how they that have packaged suspension and excellent aerodynamcis in a very innovative way that compromises little. They remind me of Alex Moulton with his 17 inch small wheel bikes from the 1960s that broke all the track records before they were banned by the UCI of courseā¦and the rubber block suspension for the Austin Mini that he created; they are definitely outside-the-box innovators. I wish I had the opportunity to ride an Ironman on one. I feel certain that the energy savings from the suspension coupled with reduced rider fatigue puts you ahead of many at the start of the marathon.
I believe Iām on the same wave-length with the idea of adjustable geometry. I know it sounds a little far out at first but hey in 1979 IBM thought Bill Gates was a quack too. With a good sound design that is strong, light and safe I believe it is an idea worthy of serious consideration especially when there is alot to be gained - buy all!
Sliding the bracket along the softride beam does sound more than a little dodgy! Youād be going back and up instead of down too!
In the testing Iāve done - I can climb as well on on 81 degree P3 and a 74 degree soloist - both sitting up - on one Iām on the hoods and the other the Hed base bar. I feel no difference and cadence is 60-70.
Re: spinning up hills - you hit the nail on the head - I rode IMCDA - tried to avg 160 watts - and keep my spikes down. I was in a 39-27/700 c wheels and had to spike over 220w just to get up a couple of the steeper sections (and that was dropping to cadence = 50 and babying it), Luckily the rollers were short. They donāt make gears that I could spin up steep hills at 85 cadence and keep my watts downā¦except maybe a mountain bike and its against the rules to ride those at IMNA eventsā¦
I find it hard to āspinā up hills once my speed drops <10-12 mph - hard to ride aero bars at slower speeds, too.
Yes, it is my sense too that there is a practical limit to lowering oneās gearing. Iād rather have adjustable geometry that supported low cadence climbing than a mountain bike drivetrain. Thanks for your feedback.
Itās interesting that you do not perceive any difference between climbing effort between 74 and 81 degrees on the two bikes. This suggests that your hip angle is similar or you can generate the same power through a wide range of angles. Whatās the height difference between the seat and pads on your P3?
I agree about a compact chainset: itās a good idea. Youād save more from climbs and the extra wattage used then from being able to go 1-2mph faster on the downhills.
