Proper fit…
Which muscles should I be utilizing the most on the Bike…during a 1/2 IM. Trying to make sure that I have been fitted properly by my local bike shop.
your quads
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your quads
How about when I ride to the store for groceries? 
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your quads
How about when I ride to the store for groceries?
your quads again!
And the quads have it. Thanks Gene ( Rayburn )
Thank you…time to switch up the position.
No, because there is no position you can achieve where the quads would not be the main driving muscle when biking.
Some fitters will talk about a forward seatpost position using more of the hamstrings which would be good for the run.
That is somewhat debatable. The real goal is for your body to be in the same position as on a road bike, except rotated so you present less surface area to the air. A forward seatpost angle allows that.
In other words, to your legs it should feel just like a road bike.
To your crotch it may not!!
Thank you…time to switch up the position.
Well. Maybe I should get a second opinion on my fit via another bike shop.
I avg 22.3 during Austin 70.3; my hamstrings were cramping and I “felt like” they were carrying most of the load. Not sure what the deal is but I just don’t feel I am getting enough power from my quads.
The run after this race was horrible, I went from 8:30 mile to a 10 min mile…personal worst…
How much time before your race did you have this position? Perhaps you were not adapted to that position in time for your race.
That was a long time ago, how has it been since?
what is your hip angle like? pics?
Well. Maybe I should get a second opinion on my fit via another bike shop.
I avg 22.3 during Austin 70.3; my hamstrings were cramping and I “felt like” they were carrying most of the load. Not sure what the deal is but I just don’t feel I am getting enough power from my quads.
The run after this race was horrible, I went from 8:30 mile to a 10 min mile…personal worst…
correct - your quads are your main driving force in cycling and hammys with running (although you will feel the quads as well with eccentric contractures, esp downhills).
In theory, for a triathlete, you want to “spare” your hammys for the run. For a time trialist - use all you got! A see that is too high (no pun intended) can also cause this issue
Here is a link to view my bike position…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikekatyemma/3413546288/
This is the only pic I have of me during the Austin Race…I feel really low on the bike?
Not a very good pic to judge anything on … but if one was to make an educated guess and give advice: I’d actually say your seat is too LOW and you are somewhat cramped. Move the seat up and try a longer stem? Again, this is quite speculative though - hopefully you have a trusted fitter close by