While doing a long ride Saturday I noticed that early in the ride I was mostly on the back of the saddle, but at the end of the ride I was more forward on the saddle. What goes this change from a fit or aero stand point? I do think I move around more than most folks (I’m not sure why I think that). I feel most powerful slid back on the saddle.
I’ve been wondering about this as well. My bike fit is excellent, self-FISTed, verified by slowtwitchers and fine tuned by John Cobb. I definitely do not have too long of a reach, however I tend to ride on the nose of the saddle, especially if going even a little hard. Sitting properly on the saddle, I have an angle of 80*, no telling what it is when I slide forward. I don’t know why I do this, it is entirely subconcious, anyone have any ideas?
BUMP
I think I do the same thing. I want to know, too.
BUMP
I think I do the same thing. I want to know, too.
I find that the position that I “migrate” to on the seat has nothing to do with where the saddle is over the bb, but rather how far the bars are from the seat. I kept finding myself falling off the front of the seat, so I moved my bars in as close as they would go (very short stem). Now I tend to stay more on the middle of the saddle.
I think that, when I ride hard or long, I end up pulling my arms ever closer to my body and that pulls me to the front of the saddle. I think it is just a reflexive reaction since I run with my hands pretty close to my torso. As I get more tired on the bike, my hands/arms seek that natural running position.
I extended my bars ~1.5cm recently, because I was ending up with my hands on the shifters. I’ll have to note if pulling them back changes how I sit on the saddle.
i find i scoot over to the nose when i get lower on the hoods or drops. this effectively steepens my seat angle so that my knees don’t start hitting my chest. i usually do this towards the end of the ride too because generally i’ll be going faster. when going easy, i sit back because i’m usually holding the bars on the top. so, higher hand level, slacker seat angle so that the hip angle is not too obtuse (thus losing power). based on my experience with my computrainer, i’m not more powerful sitting back. i’m most powerful on the nose with my hands in the drops because on my setup that’s when my hip angle is at 90-95 deg. but this is not a position i can maintain very long and i do have to be riding with some pace. maybe you’re equating feeling more powerful with being more comfortable?
Kim
I slide around all the time depending on the terrain and effort. Uphill is usually farther back to leverage the “pull” phase. On flats when I hammer I’ll slide forward to the nose. This way I can get lower and still maintain an open hip angle. This is on my road bike of course. I’m already low on my tri bike.
I also am more forward when I am really fatigued in the upper body. So when my posture goes to crap I have to slide forward to help support my body on the bike. Upper back goes, back rounds, arms tire from supporting torso, then everything goes to crap and my wrists and ass hurt from doing all the supporting. This happened around mile 80 on my last century. More of a memo to myself to maintain the strength training.