I’d like to try getting into a more aero position on my tri bike this season. I have a couple spacers that I can remove - going to start with one and see how that works, then maybe take out the other one as well.
The LBS that did my fitting when I bought the bike told me I’d have to move the seat up and forward if I started dropping spacers. But I suspect that my seat is already a bit high (I’m absolutely sure it is by ST standards) so I’m not sure if I want to be messing with it unless there’s a really good reason.
Any general principles I should keep in mind when taking out spacers?
In your subject line you mentioned “getting lower” but in your post you mention getting more aero.
I point that point that out because there is the blanket assumption that lower is always more aero. Be careful there. It is often correct but not always. I’ve shot video of riders in our store where we’ve lowered their elbow pads/cockpit by 2 cm worth of spacers and, somewhat magically, the before and after photos show *their back and head stayed in the same place. *
Usually this phenomenon is a result of the athlete having to re-orient their humerus bone (bone in your bicep area) to hold their torso in the right orientation to their pelvis.
Remember, the thing that controls your position is your body, not entirely your bike. You can put your cockpit as low as you want if you feel that will make you more aerodynamic. It may even acheive that end, but it may make oterh compromises that could make you less comfortable and, ultimately, slower.
Did you read Slowman’s article on comfort and speed?
I’m extremely comfortable in my current position and I feel like I have room to move lower while still being quite comfortable. I’m not planning on cutting the steerer tube, so if it doesn’t work out I can always put a spacer back in. It’s mainly about experimentation at this point.