I’ve just purchased a new road frame, onto which I’ve transferred all my road components. Despite almost exactly emulating my old road position (saddle height, saddle to stem distance, etc), my lower back is killing me. I know there are best practices when applied to tri-bike fitting; for a road bike, how does your react saddle-to-stem measurement vary versus your tri bike?
One factor may be that I’ve spent all my time in the past 6 months on my tri bike in prep for IMLP; yesterday’s ride on the road back amounted to the longest time I’ve spent on the road bike (and in drops) since February. Is this merely a question of physical adaptation, or do I have to to be refitted (which I find odd, since these road bikes measurement fit me just fine in February).
"One factor may be that I’ve spent all my time in the past 6 months on my tri bike in prep for IMLP; yesterday’s ride on the road back amounted to the longest time I’ve spent on the road bike (and in drops) since February. "
I did consider that, however this is some pretty serious back pain (that I’m still feeling today). Was it too much, too soon?
Fitters, how do your road fits compare to tri bike fits?
what are the two different frame makes, new and old?
also, i recall from the notes people put here about the cycling symposium that one of the experts claimed that tri positioned athletes do not use their core muscles to stablize the upper body and therefore need to supplement with core work. but roadie position uses core muscles and there are fewer problems. hence, maybe the core has gotten weak.
link added http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1176904;search_string=symposium%20boulder;#1176904
'Kautz also suggested that a triathlete competing in an Ironman-distance event, he or she should consider using the aero bars to support the skeletal structure, rather than forcing the rider into a TT-like position in which the bars are often used to generate power by pulling hard on the bars. Most people simply cannot pull hard like that for 112 miles.
Kautz was adamant that all triathletes should have both a road bike and a triathlon bike. That road bike, said Kautz, is better for recovery rides, group rides and for climbing. But perhaps more importantly, road riding develops core strength, while riding in a triathlon position does not. Furthermore, a road bike is a far more effective means of improving fundamental skills like working through a group, descending and riding with no hands while changing layers or eating. ’