Position analysis with my Cervelo

Triathlon Forum
1

Ok,

This was something that I thought that I will not do… but had major problems in last race so here we go. Following video shows my position on the bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g2Qm2BcVQI (first part from side, at the end from behind).

Background:

  • did Ironman last year on this (sub 5h) with seat 0,5cm lower and stem 1cm higher = no problems
  • did 70.3 on July on this ~ 2h18min with seat 0.5cm lower = no problems
  • did European long distance (120km) with this = major problems. My back felt like it got “locked” and had to DNF because I couldn’t really run

Setup:

  • 56cm Cervelo p2c (stack: 53.1, Reach: 42.9)
  • 3T Ventus aerobar (equivalent of 9mm stem)
  • Adamo ISM saddle (78 degree position)
  • 175mm shimano ultegra cranks
  • Rotor Q-Rings

Me 181cm (5,11), with 86cm (33,86 inch) inseam

**Let me know what you think. **

  • Seat too high?
  • Reach too long?
  • Aero or not?

I’m thinking of getting smaller frame. And trying out different saddle heights with to see the effects on power…

Thank you very much… and see you in Frankfurt Ironman! (and hopefully in hawaii in 2012 :slight_smile: ).

JK

2

Honest to goodness, the seat looks too high; though, you are very stable in the saddle compared to many.

3

I had to watch the video on my iphone but nothing about that position looks really glaring to me. Your seat may be a tad high and that combined with a lot of drop can cause some low back discomfort. Was the 120km race the first time you stayed in the aero position for a really long extended time with the seat .5 cm raised?

4

Seat looks high by quite a bit, I’d actually keep the same and shorten the crank length though. 175 is pretty big for someone who is 5’11 especially when you aren’t running a set up that locks you into limited crank length selection.

5

Jonblyer-> Yes, this was a rookie mistake. I did few short 30-40km rides with that, but the 120km race was a) first long distance b)first full effort. However I thought I could manage the small raise without issues … However I have checked quite many “pro” positions and it seems to me that I should make it more tighter package (= shorter reach).

6

Thansk Drake. The shorter cranks seems to be interesting option. Might take also stress from back… I however use quite low RPM (80-85) so need to check the effect on power. But I will try that.