I think you could still get lower…can you see under your seat? 
The only reason I asked is because I think your saddle might be a hair too high, but if you’re comfortable, you feel powerful, and you can stay in the aero bars for a long time then I’d say stick with what works.
Generally, I think people set their saddles too high (fitters included) because they just push down on the pedals. Pulling through the bottom is probably your second-best source of power. If you have a bit more bend in your leg you can engage more muscles to pull through the bottom of the pedal stroke (rolling over the top is probably somewhat difficult with such a low position). I found with a ton of experimentation that I can generate significantly more power being on the low-end of the acceptible range and really engaging my hamstrings and glutes between about 7 and 4 o’clock. I focus on thinking about my pedal stroke the same way I think about my running stride (rearward kick).
Then again, I seem to upset people with my theories, so take 'em with a grain of salt 
Generally, I think people set their saddles too high (fitters included)
I completely agree, which is why I lowered mine so much from where the fitters said to put it. Can you believe it used to be 4cm higher?
Is that Hardy Plank siding…that is good stuff…and your brake levers are not installed correctly…oh yeah, nice bike!
It’s unclear to me whether you posted for critique or for show… At the same time, I don’t know you or how you ride.
But, I do REALLY like the adjustments Slowman made to Bjorn and REALLY like that position. (Although the test didn’t appear to move him in a positive manner). A watt reading doesn’t lie over the course of a fitting/race, but did a lil chop photo job for you to review…
IMO, I’d raise the bars a tad bit and adjust the bars down (Ulrichish and Francois style). The problem with the FSA ext I had was that I wanted a forearm position, not an elbow position. But, if it working for you…then great!
IMO, I’d raise the bars a tad bit and adjust the bars down (Ulrichish and Francois style).
I tried that and didn’t like it. If my forearms point down, I end up falling forward off the saddle and need to keep pushing myself back. I can really relax like this. Francois is a quantum leap more powerful than me, and can probably use the added leverage to his advantage. At my pedestrian power levels, I run no risk of needing extra leverage.
I don’t think that is Bjorn’s final setup. It wasn’t clear from Dan’s article what the final setup decision was. You out there, Dan?
…and your brake levers are not installed correctly…oh yeah, nice bike!
Yeah, the brake levers are on opposite sides. I didn’t like the cable running the other way on the base bar grips, so I switched them.
Yes, it is a nice bike. I am very happy with the way it worked out. It is small enough for me to be low and have the bars close to me, but it is as long in the wheelbase as a much larger bike. It’s a size “55” in height and cockpit length, but a “58-59” in wheel base. Makes for a very smooth ride and it tracks like it’s on rails.
It’s not as aero as a P3 or beam bike, but I like the tradeoff on fit, handling and comfort.
Your saddle is too high. I would also experiment with slidding your arms back a bit more, maybe 1-2cm. The front end height is perfect.
Your saddle is too high. I would also experiment with slidding your arms back a bit more, maybe 1-2cm. The front end height is perfect.
I’m willing to fiddle more with saddle height. What do you think about the foot flexion? Two things make me hesitant to go lower: First, I don’t rock in the saddle and suffer from no leg or low back issues on rides of any distance or effort level. Second, my foot is in a neutral position. It is not reaching for the pedal, but is almost 90 degrees to my lower leg as it is. The heel appears raised partly due to my very forward position. IOW, if I were 5-7cm behind the bb, my heel would look much lower.
But still – it does look like I could have the saddle lower. Thing is – this is 2cm lower than the last time I took photos, and it looks identical when I compare the pictures!
As for the arms – they’re not this far forward all the time. I shift position a little over the course of a ride, sometimes pulling them in and sometimes reaching farther out. After I’ve been riding steady for a while, I tend to relax more, dropping my shoulders down and lengthening my torso.
I understand a still pic is somewhat different from a riding one. On that pic you look a bit stretched out, but just a tiny bit, I wish everyone out there was at a point where we’re discussing stuff like this
As for the saddle height, I cannot believe how you could be fitted 4cms over that height. I would drop it maybe 1-2cm. And yes, I understand the foot is in a neutral position.
Do you ride a road bike as weel, or this is your only bike?
Thanks on the saddle and shoes. Do you wear 1/2 size smaller Tri shoes because you aren’t wearing socks, or because they run a little big?
Thanks on the saddle and shoes. Do you wear 1/2 size smaller Tri shoes because you aren’t wearing socks, or because they run a little big?
Good question, so I went out to the garage and checked. My road shoes are too big; my tri shoes are the right size. So, I guess the sizing is consistent. And yes, I don’t wear socks with the tri shoes.
Ash
Position looks good, very aero. You do look a little high but with an inseam of 88cm and 77cm seat height we have the identical measurements.
What stem are you using? I have removed all the spacers from my P3 and still want to get lower. Either I need to get a smaller frame or a downward sloping stem.
Just wondering how you measured the angles from the picture – do you have a graphical software tool which does this?
Thanks.
To me, the new “standard” in aero positions is that pic of Sindballe from the Argon18 newsletter. Perfect!
Yep…but you probably think his seat is too high. ;o)
Not that you have any idea, but could you take a wild guess at what Sergio’s seat angle might be? It appears he’s riding a bit slack, no?
The last time I measured it was 77 something.
What stem are you using? I have removed all the spacers from my P3 and still want to get lower. Either I need to get a smaller frame or a downward sloping stem.
That is a Profile 25-degree drop, 90cm stem. My armpads are that low because I cut the risers on the VT clipons from 12.5mm down to 3mm. I have an ITM adjustable also that points down at 45-degrees, 100cm long. That one gets me 2-3 cm lower, but I don’t plan on using it. Depending on the size of your P3, an adjustable stem might be required to get there. It’s a lot cheaper than a new frame.
To me, the new “standard” in aero positions is that pic of Sindballe from the Argon18 newsletter. Perfect!
Yup. It almost brings tears to my eyes.
Good question, so I went out to the garage and checked. My road shoes are too big; my tri shoes are the right size. So, I guess the sizing is consistent. And yes, I don’t wear socks with the tri shoes.
Thanks.