So, the super tuck advantage is real… as is the lack of safety of riding in a super tuck position: good luck if you need to apply the brakes suddenly or snag your shorts on your saddle when getting out of that position.
I predict that an integrated dropper (see the new BMC XC bike as an example) can be made to be lightweight and allow for a safe(r) supertuck where the rider can get their mass further back for more control, allowing for supertuck positions through switchbacks… I think we could see such technology adoption by at least a rider or two within three years
I could see this happening. With mechanics many times needing to add weight to make 6.8 kg for climbing bikes, I think the weight concerns could be offset/overcome. Which is to say I think many pro teams would have little trouble keeping a bike near or at 6.8 kg with a dropper on it, if they needed to.
And if there’s no net weight penalty, would there be any major downsides?
Perhaps the main obstacle is all the proprietary seatpost systems that world tour level bikes have. I’m no engineer but I imagine that each proprietary seatpost design requires its own dropper to be made? Based on shape, length of seat post or seat mast, all those types of things?
I could see this happening. With mechanics many times needing to add weight to make 6.8 kg for climbing bikes, I think the weight concerns could be offset/overcome. Which is to say I think many pro teams would have little trouble keeping a bike near or at 6.8 kg with a dropper on it, if they needed to.
And if there’s no net weight penalty, would there be any major downsides?
Perhaps the main obstacle is all the proprietary seatpost systems that world tour level bikes have. I’m no engineer but I imagine that each proprietary seatpost design requires its own dropper to be made? Based on shape, length of seat post or seat mast, all those types of things?
yeah, would have to use the BMC model, which I prefer because their non round mtb seatpost prevents binding and resists twisting
Not a bad thought. It would also allow for some modest adjustability when swapping bikes with teammates in the case of a mechanical, or for Mavic neutral, although they use QRs.
i believe it could be beneficial in the right circumstances - a race like lombardia
however i struggle to see it happening as pro riders, teams and mechanics are so conservative that to get everyone on board with it will be difficult and you still have to get someone to manufacture a suitable and compatible post.
in time someone will probably do it though and if it happens that they win that day then we will see others try it (regardless of whether the dropper was really relevant to the result).
i’m tempted to stop and drop my seatpost at the top of a descent someday to see what descending on a roadie with a low saddle is like. certainly on the mtb the dropper has been a notable improvement (the limitation is that i struggle to use the space created as i’m so used to being stuck in position from road riding) but road descending is a bit different
Not a bad thought. It would also allow for some modest adjustability when swapping bikes with teammates in the case of a mechanical, or for Mavic neutral, although they use QRs.
Mavic had KS dropper posts on some neutral support bikes at the tour back in 2017.
Not a bad thought. It would also allow for some modest adjustability when swapping bikes with teammates in the case of a mechanical, or for Mavic neutral, although they use QRs.
Mavic had KS dropper posts on some neutral support bikes at the tour back in 2017.
Last week, surrounded by mountain bikes, someone mentioned this and my first thought also went to the super tuck, i guess my only question is with UCI’s thick bible of rules whether this would run afoul of saddle position regulations as I recall they even regulate the angle?
I think it was the TrainerRoad podcast that mentioned this possibility.
Don’t remember if it was Chad or Nate, but hte quote was something like this
“Age groupers in the US will have them next year,
US pros the year after that,
Euros ten years from now”
Not a bad thought. It would also allow for some modest adjustability when swapping bikes with teammates in the case of a mechanical, or for Mavic neutral, although they use QRs.
Mavic had KS dropper posts on some neutral support bikes at the tour back in 2017.
But as soon as even one pro rider uses this to any advantage in a race, the UCI will promptly ban it, of that you can be assured.
Especially if it’s a native English speakong rider.
but back in reality, the UCI adopted road disc brakes pretty quickly. And as far as slow Euro pro rider adoption of new technology, Euro pros have adopted short split saddles quickly.
But as soon as even one pro rider uses this to any advantage in a race, the UCI will promptly ban it, of that you can be assured.
It could present a safe alternative to the currently allowed supertuck. I don’t see them banning safety.
Ha! yeah right. I hope you’re being facetious. If not, the rider’s mass is significantly further forward compromising making sharp turns and sudden braking, and the movement to get out of a super tuck momentarily puts the rider’s mass even further forward before going up and back, and there’s the risk of snagging the nose of the saddle. To say that there is “nothing unsafe” fails to recognize that riding a bike is inherently unsafe, as the probability of injuring oneself is greater while on a bike than when sitting on a couch, and that the supertuck increases the probability of injury occurring.
I seem to remember Bobke going on and on and on about how dangerous it was while commenting on the Tour this year. He repeatedly said,“Do not try this if you are an amateur cyclist!” (assuming the homies would say “Cool! I’ll give that a go next time I’m going down Kingsbury Grade at 45 MPH”)
I seem to remember Bobke going on and on and on about how dangerous it was while commenting on the Tour this year. He repeatedly said,“Do not try this if you are an amateur cyclist!” (assuming the homies would say “Cool! I’ll give that a go next time I’m going down Kingsbury Grade at 45 MPH”)
Yeah, Lance spoke at length about that topic, as well, calling the supertuck stupidly dangerous. It’s a compromising position to be in while at speed on the bike.