Tri bike fit process

Triathlon Forum
1

So, now that it is off season, going to put in a real effort on bike fit. Technically, I have never done this so after another bummer season on the bike, time to
get some numbers.

I have got some info on the internet which seems like a good start from what I am reading, but some processes seem to be better suited for a road setup, than TT.

My first focus is to deal with the bike seat. From what I have read so far, at 3 oclock, my knee should be over the bike spindle? If so, good chance my seat is way too far forward.

From what I can see for seat height, if I put my heal in bike shoes on the pedal, my leg should be 180 degrees…

After I get these set, then I am going to look at the angle of my knee on the 12 position. What from I read, one does not want this angle to be less than 70.
Seems if I have my seat setup correctly, and my knee is still too tight, then going to shorter cranks might be the next thing I have to look at.

I for the first time road my Velotron on a flat course for an hour to get a base line before I start moving stuff. Was neat to be able to see the power I was pushing with my existing setup. Was also interesting to watch the power change depending if I was sitting upright, in the road bar drops, or in the aero bars so the same effort. I could not argue that I saw easily a 10 watt increase in the aero bars.

What shall be fun is when I make some changes, I have the tool that should be able to show if my power goes up or down. I am also tracking rpm and hr.

So just trying to see if anyone has produced a step by step guide to doing a bike fit that is clearly focused on a TT bike.

(I did search ST before asking and did not seem to find what I was looking for.)

2

My first focus is to deal with the bike seat.

no

3

My first focus is to deal with the bike seat.

no

So, if not, what is first?

4

So just trying to see if anyone has produced a step by step guide to doing a bike fit that is clearly focused on a TT bike.

Maybe this?

5

I think I read somewhere that there was something called a “professional” bike fit? And someone here has a lot of experience in this?

6

Or you could just reference ST’s FIST series of articles…

So just trying to see if anyone has produced a step by step guide to doing a bike fit that is clearly focused on a TT bike.

Maybe this?

7

Step 1-get a professional bike fit
Step 2-if needed, make minor adjustments after fit using the bike fitter you paid for the fit. The $200 or whatever you pay will save you countless time and give you a better fit

8

Step 1-get a professional bike fit
Step 2-if needed, make minor adjustments after fit using the bike fitter you paid for the fit. The $200 or whatever you pay will save you countless time and give you a better fit

All kindsa wrong.
1 - go with your plan, make sure you post about it
2 - ask random people on a forum to help you improve the result obtained in step one.

(I’ll have a little extra time on my hands and this should be good entertainment)

9

So just trying to see if anyone has produced a step by step guide to doing a bike fit that is clearly focused on a TT bike.

Maybe this?

Thanks. At least this one says start with seat height. :slight_smile: And is says to do what I have had a biker stud tell me to do.
The seat location is not what I have been told but great start.

Thanks

10

Or you could just reference ST’s FIST series of articles…

So just trying to see if anyone has produced a step by step guide to doing a bike fit that is clearly focused on a TT bike.

I made a stab at finding some to read, but I did not find what I was looking for.

Maybe this?

11

Step 1-get a professional bike fit
Step 2-if needed, make minor adjustments after fit using the bike fitter you paid for the fit. The $200 or whatever you pay will save you countless time and give you a better fit

Going to wait until Dan comes but up to Rockin in like May and get a fit from him.

12

My version :

Step 1-get a professional bike fit
Step 2-ride your bike a lot
.

13

Step 1-get a professional bike fit
Step 2-if needed, make minor adjustments after fit using the bike fitter you paid for the fit. The $200 or whatever you pay will save you countless time and give you a better fit

All kindsa wrong.
1 - go with your plan, make sure you post about it
2 - ask random people on a forum to help you improve the result obtained in step one.

(I’ll have a little extra time on my hands and this should be good entertainment)

Even though I know the mob will be out in full force, what I am trying to do might help some others, without having to spend the money.

I will try to update as I move along what seems to work and not. Posting my numbers from the trainer on power, HR, rpm, etc that I am collecting.
And of course if I find numbers that show I need to go to smaller cranks from my 200mm’s. I am working with Frank Day on this so am getting inputs from all sides.

I guess this is just one of my troll posts, right? :slight_smile:

14

so, you are going to do a fit yourself that will likely fail and spend the next 8 months using that fit to train only to have Dan sweep in and undo 8 months of hard work to save $200.

I don’t think you are trolling one bit…But, I really thought this post might have been you turning a page in your I cant-get-any-faster-on-my-bike-and-have-to-do-things-the-same-way-I-have-always-done-them mentality. Apparently not. TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Worst case, Dan tweaks the fit you get or offers an even better opinion for slight improvement in that fit. I am fairly confident that Dan would give similar advice in he were to chime in here.

15

And of course if I find numbers that show I need to go to smaller cranks from my 200mm’s. I am working with Frank Day on this so am getting inputs from all sides.

OMG didn’t realize what we were dealing with.

16

He is the resident flat earther. I would move swiftly on

17

I’m no pro bike fitter, but my method is the exact opposite of what you described.

Start with the hands, then the elbows, then the seat height, then the BB location relative to the seat. Takes into account all your limitations along the way.

But that’s just me.

18

Step 1-get a professional bike fit
Step 2-if needed, make minor adjustments after fit using the bike fitter you paid for the fit. The $200 or whatever you pay will save you countless time and give you a better fit

Going to wait until Dan comes but up to Rockin in like May and get a fit from him.

Dude, you have the guy that wrote the book on fitting people for tri bikes, let alone helping invent them offering to fit you. You’re retired. Take two days out of your life and drive down to his place. I would love to have that opportunity! I’m still kicking myself for not driving 6 hours to have him do a quick fit on me when the Roadshows were in Dallas.

19

so, you are going to do a fit yourself that will likely fail and spend the next 8 months using that fit to train only to have Dan sweep in and undo 8 months of hard work to save $200.

I don’t think you are trolling one bit…But, I really thought this post might have been you turning a page in your I cant-get-any-faster-on-my-bike-and-have-to-do-things-the-same-way-I-have-always-done-them mentality. Apparently not. TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Worst case, Dan tweaks the fit you get or offers an even better opinion for slight improvement in that fit. I am fairly confident that Dan would give similar advice in he were to chime in here.

Wow, just wow. I AM trying something different. I am looking at my bike fit which I have never done before. I am testing it on my Velotron trainer with real numbers.
If this is not different, not sure what is.

I am working with a number of folks who probably know more than more “fitters”. And that is the point, every fitter is different, which says all I need to hear.
I am taking all the inputs, trying things that to me make sense and are the most supported of an idea, and they trying this stuff on the trainer to see if the numbers change. Most fitters do not even use a power meter.

Oh well, as I knew, no matter what I do, if it is not exactly the way a person says it has to be done, it must be wrong. Well, I was taught there are 10 ways to skin a cat.

20

Step 1-get a professional bike fit
Step 2-if needed, make minor adjustments after fit using the bike fitter you paid for the fit. The $200 or whatever you pay will save you countless time and give you a better fit

Going to wait until Dan comes but up to Rockin in like May and get a fit from him.

Dude, you have the guy that wrote the book on fitting people for tri bikes, let alone helping invent them offering to fit you. You’re retired. Take two days out of your life and drive down to his place. I would love to have that opportunity! I’m still kicking myself for not driving 6 hours to have him do a quick fit on me when the Roadshows were in Dallas.

I am kicking myself when he has twice been 45 minutes from my house and did not sign up for a fit. I was in the store when he was working on a fit for one of my friends. But, it has taken me this long to understand the bike fit I thought I had was not right. Oh well, all I can do is go forward.

I am going to be in LA near him, but darn, I am there Oct 15-18th and I believe Dan will be in Hawaii for IM during that time. Boo.