from today’s Velonews.com
WTF is going on with those aerobars???
Try and find a pic from the front, it is even more bizarre looking. It looks like the extensions were mounted on 4 inch blocks that were mounted on the base bar.
That’s what happens when you are forced to use the equipment provided by a team sponsor, no matter whether it works optimally or not. Be glad you aren’t sponsored and can use whatever you want based upon what works for you.
He is probably trying to generate the benefits of the old (outlawed) praying mantis position with legal equipment, and keeping the basebar hand position where he wants it.
Agreed, VdV looks different…
How about this position/ setup (also from Velonews)?
He probably had very specific requirements as to where he wanted his arms in the aero position and where he wanted them on the base bars…and this is the result.
What race was this pic taken in?
Having the elbow pads high is one thing, that seems to simply be done to achieve his ideal spot in both bars…but having those pads so far forward is only an issue of fatigue over time. Remember, he doesn’t need to do 100+ miles in that position.
He probably had very specific requirements as to where he wanted his arms in the aero position and where he wanted them on the base bars…and this is the result.
Alternatively, he’s trying to obtain an aero benefit from separating the elbow pads from the base bar (as the Brits have long done).
I’m not familiar with that, can you elaborate on the theory behind it? Why would it be more aero?
He probably had very specific requirements as to where he wanted his arms in the aero position and where he wanted them on the base bars…and this is the result.
** Alternatively, he’s trying to obtain an aero benefit from separating the elbow pads from the base bar (as the Brits have long done).**
I think it’s probably the guy who you were replying to who may have had it right. If you remember from last year, VdV ran those slotted Oval Concepts bars that have the big drop to the basebar hand position (sort of like the new Hed Blackdog bars).
This seems like the only way to get the distance from elbow pads to basebar position while still riding sponsors gear (3T).
seems like he could just get a straight stem instead of those huge spacers
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He probably had very specific requirements as to where he wanted his arms in the aero position and where he wanted them on the base bars…and this is the result.
Alternatively, he’s trying to obtain an aero benefit from separating the elbow pads from the base bar (as the Brits have long done).
Ala Bradley Wiggins…
I can imagine a logic:
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he likes the bullhorns low for starts and cornering;
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he loves the basebar and thinks it’s aero but being flat it puts the bullhorns too high without a negative stem;
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he gets the bullhorns where he wants them, knows where he wants his elbow pads and has to bridge the gap;
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he looks at the British track riders who have been using a similar setup with enormous success, copies it, tries it in a wind tunnel and likes the results
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I’m not familiar with that, can you elaborate on the theory behind it? Why would it be more aero?
The theory is that approach allows the aerodynamically-optimized base bar to operate in “clean(er)” air. Whether it works or not, I do not know (it does, however, alleviate the need to have frames with different stack).
What was their times?
Maybe he just wanted to be on slowtwitch…occam’s razor…
The guy bloody does this for a living and he puts more hours on anyone here. So I am 100% sure that his position, parts, socks, and eyebrows are exactly where he wants it to be. Moreover, he probably used every single dollar at his disposal to be sure his position has been analyzed and approved by his coach, team, sponsor, wife, dog and best friend.
The guy bloody does this for a living and he puts more hours on anyone here. So I am 100% sure that his position, parts, socks, and eyebrows are exactly where he wants it to be. Moreover, he probably used every single dollar at his disposal to be sure his position has been analyzed and approved by his coach, team, sponsor, wife, dog and best friend.
You appear to be awfully naive as to the way most pros (although not necessarily Vandevelde) think/operate.
I think he forgot the pink font…
The guy bloody does this for a living and he puts more hours on anyone here. So I am 100% sure that his position, parts, socks, and eyebrows are exactly where he wants it to be. Moreover, he probably used every single dollar at his disposal to be sure his position has been analyzed and approved by his coach, team, sponsor, wife, dog and best friend.
You appear to be awfully naive as to the way most pros (although not necessarily Vandevelde) think/operate.
Versus your PhD, books, and vast knowledge regarding all matters pertaining to cycling and exercise physiology I am but an iota. Pardon me for my most humble opinions. (I was being sarcastic for goodness sake!)
You rang?