I’m not sure, but I think over this 20 mile course last weekend, I easily lost 2 minutes due to my darth helmet…
It’s not often I see a clear side view on course, but I think the first thing I’m going to change is that lid. Any other suggestions?
Buy a bigger one that fits on your head properly for starters
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Forget worrying about the helmet. You posted the pic so…
Your position and fit is just fucking awful. The helmet is all kinds of terrible too but it should be the least of your concerns.
ok, but then I might not be able to sunburn my forehead
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What do you mean…it’s not ok to stand up while riding my TT bike?
Yeah, it’s about as low as I can get…50+, inflexible as hell, lower back issues
I’m no expert but it looks like that would be a pretty uncomfortable position for your back with or without pre-existing issues. Getting lower does not necessarily put more strain on your back. I would suspect your saddle could be the biggest problem, or maybe it’s just the way you’re accustomed to sitting on it. Your back is arched quite a bit. Rotate your pelvis forward and your back will be much straighter, even with a onsiderably lower position. That position doesn’t just look slow to me, it also looks uncomfortable. You don’t always have to trade comfort for speed. In your case I strongly suspect you can dramatically increase both at the same time.
I’ve tweaked my own position a lot over the last 18 months and I’m now considerably more aerodynamic than I was… but I’m also more comfortable.
As another person pointed out, your saddle is probably the first place to look for improvements. You basically sit bolt upright and then lean over rather than rotate your hips forward.
Honestly you need to start with a bike fit. I think your position is so far off that you will need to make some changes that get you to something more comfortable and biomechanically sounds and then ride that enough to adapt. Then tweek from there. It will be an integrative process.
Other than that, the helmet sucks, the base bars suck, the cabling sucks, and a TriRig front brake. The good news is you could be a lot faster and more comfortable.
Looks like your Schwartz might be twisted.
… Along with my pelvis. Some days, I sit well on the saddle, Other days, half gets to sit.
I’m curious if other Masters have similar issues. …? Needless to say, I’m working with a PT to figure out self alignment prior to work out load.
The good news is Triathlon has helped me stare this down. Instead of pain management, my questions these days are more… How can I perform better… So my son doesn’t kick my ass!