Sit on the seat or nose?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ve seen a lot of guys, age-groupers, elites and pro cyclists alike and positioning on the saddle of the bike seems to vary a great deal. I understand that personal comfort will vary, but there seems to be a lot of that! Some people sit painfully on the nose, as far forward as possible, others sit back on the actual seat. I am talking about tri bikes specifically here, so riders would not be constrained by rules (UCI etc) - but some (really quick guys) seem to be riding in really tricky positions.

Why so?

The only advantage I can think of is to have extra space to slide back onto for climbs, as that might help some folk when climbing on tri bikes in very forward positions.

Eg: Hushovd in a pretty “normal” pos:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/jun07/dauphinelibere07/index.php?id=/photos/2007/jun07/dauphinelibere07/dauphinelibere073/fs00

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/jun07/dauphinelibere07/index.php?id=/photos/2007/jun07/dauphinelibere07/dauphinelibere073/fs005
Dave Z - looks uncomfortable!

etc

2

More on the nose you are the steeper you are.

3

on the Nose in a tri and on the seat when climbing. I have a road bike.

4

The nose is usually better but it is also more painful for most people.

5

Get the adamo and then you won’t have to decide. It doesn’t have a nose.

6

My seat is 5cm in front of the bb and I still sit on the nose. I’ve also found it is faster and easier to stay there when climing on a TT bike. I stay forward and in the aero bars well into the single digit speeds when climbing.

7

Peter Reid talks about postioning while riding in a past issue of Triathlete Magazine. He talks about sitting on the saddle and moving forward as he raises his intensity. Overall, it is personal preference. Some people sit on the saddle, some sit “in” (on the nose) the saddle.