I’m aware that the Superman aero position on the bike can’t be used in UCI events. Since most cycling TT’s aren’t UCI sanctioned why don’t we see more people riding in that position? Is it because we want to look like the pro cyclists to the point that we would ignore a faster position that saw a number of world records set?
i don’t think its faster outside like it is in the velodrome.
i believe its also uncomfortable
Potentially dangerous.
The “Superman Position” relies too much on upper body strength so for tri’s would kinda be a stretch. When a rider is properly fitted the elbow to shoulder position should be approx 100 degrees so as to use your skeletal support rather than waste your upper muscles. And well agree with Tom its just plain dangerous too.
i don’t think its faster outside like it is in the velodrome.
i believe its also uncomfortable
Naw. It’s because people who use it are too fast to spot. 
I is true that the relative advantage declines in higher yaw conditions.
I am not convinced that it is more dangerous.
i don’t think its faster outside like it is in the velodrome.
i believe its also uncomfortable
Naw. It’s because people who use it are too fast to spot.
I is true that the relative advantage declines in higher yaw conditions.
I am not convinced that it is more dangerous.
i’m not convinced any of the comments here are correct! Even the bit about it being slower at higher yaw is one rider, on equipment that also stalled at higher yaw (if I’m remembering correctly). It certainly hasn’t been my experience–my lowest drag has occurred at the highest cross winds in a ‘superman-esque’ position.
I certainly didn’t find it more uncomfortable, nor did it comprimise handling. ‘Pros don’t do it’, hence triathletes are afraid to try it–simple as that…
Two issues; first, FIST is pretty entrenched in most people minds and that is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a great starting point. Second, the superman requires special equipment. At least it did if you have long arms like I do.
It is not anymore dangerous than any other aerobar riding and it proved to be (via power meter testing) faster in all sorts of conditions than a regular fist position. I was not a total Superman like Obree and the other english guy, but it’s fairly stretched out.
https://www.opix.net/...e=1&show_brand=0
Here is what I had to do to acheive it.
Yes, it is uncomfortable, but if you are genetically challenged then every little bit helps.
Chad
i’m not convinced any of the comments here are correct! Even the bit about it being slower at higher yaw is one rider, on equipment that also stalled at higher yaw (if I’m remembering correctly).
You’re not:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...post=2263262#2263262
my lowest drag has occurred at the highest cross winds in a ‘superman-esque’ position.
Got a reliable estimate of the actual yaw angle(s) that you experienced? I’ve been riding around with a wind meter on my bike for a month or so, and have been rather surprised how low the relative wind speeds have proven to be.
i’m not convinced any of the comments here are correct! Even the bit about it being slower at higher yaw is one rider, on equipment that also stalled at higher yaw (if I’m remembering correctly).
You’re not:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...post=2263262#2263262
sorry, I missed that–twice, in fact. I’ve been busy hating on Lance…
OK, so the Hooker doesn’t stall. However it still begs the question (to me at least), how does the Superman do on more modern equipment that experiences a significant drop in drag at yaw?
my lowest drag has occurred at the highest cross winds in a ‘superman-esque’ position.
Got a reliable estimate of the actual yaw angle(s) that you experienced? I’ve been riding around with a wind meter on my bike for a month or so, and have been rather surprised how low the relative wind speeds have proven to be.
I don’t–only a combination of regression analysis and Wunderground (albeit from a station that was actually ON the course). That said, you’re preaching to the choir–I’ve been beating the drum forever that people dramatically overstate wind-speed. Even the ‘high yaw’ conditions to which I was referring came out to be around 10-12 degrees on the slower, head/crosswind section, less obviously on the return leg.
Generally, my thoughts are that if I encounter yaw angles higher than 15 degrees, I have other things to worry about, like a) pushing harder up hill, or b) seeking shelter…
The ONLY saving grace for that contraption, Chad…is how fast you left me in your wake on the first big downhill at AmZof last year. Otherwise, I cringe every time I see it.
Hey, all my best results are on that set-up. Best non-pro at Desert Duathlon in 2008 and the win over the pros at the OC duathlon.
My bars didn’t help me on the big downhill, Brian. I’ve just ridden it like 12 times and knew with a little white knuckle descending you didn’t need your brakes. Who says you can’t bomb downhill on a properly built tri bike?
Chad
It went to a seminar Obree was giving and I am sure he said that he thought the biggest benifit was that the position micked that of a suspension bridge. Not sure if he meant it reduce the upper body load or just that it provided a stable platform to put down the power.
I have read a few interesting articles by Boardman on position for tri - I think if I recall he thinks they should with training be able to adopt to lower positions than they are now. The boardman TT frame certainly has a very short head tube. He comment that for the release of a Tri bike they would have to increase the headtube length to make it more marketable.
As with fit, it is all about what you are able to adapt your body to on the bike. Now the "Superman " position might work well for some but not for all. What everyone needs to understand is everyone’s position is different and its all about your body’s limitation. As I am sure there will be many on here that have used or are still using this position.
Do you have any links to the Boardman articles? I would love to read them. Thanks. David K
Daa… Because you can’t draft your fellow competitors in the superman position.
How did you get such long extensions? I am going for a similiar setup- but even with my profile design bars extended as far as possible (way past hte line that says “max extension”) mine are nowhere near as long as yours…
those extensions look a foot longer than mine…how did you do it?
Clyde
I am sure there will be many on here that have used or are still using this position.
I don’t there were ever very many people who used the Superman position. For example, in all the TTs that I have been to since Obree invented it I have only seen one other person use it (although I am aware of perhaps a half-dozen others via the web).
so the Hooker doesn’t stall. However it still begs the question (to me at least), how does the Superman do on more modern equipment that experiences a significant drop in drag at yaw?
I would predict that, at least for me, there would be less of a decrease in drag at yaw.
Even the ‘high yaw’ conditions to which I was referring came out to be around 10-12 degrees on the slower, head/crosswind section, less obviously on the return leg.
So IOW, relatively low yaw conditions, at least on average.
Ever used that position in a windy TT where the wind (and/or the direction of the road) was constantly changing directions?
How did you get such long extensions?
Chad appears to have done a little surgery using a hacksaw. OTOH, what I (and jens) did was order a really long (i.e., 22-23 cm) custom stem.
Another approach would be to buy a bike that is way too large, thus gaining the extra length via a longer top tube and the extra height via a taller head tube.
It looks like chad has joined two aerobar extensions somehow to create one very lery long extension- because fo hte placement of the right elbow pad in the photo i cant see how he did the join though.
Im already maxed out in the stem dept- i have an ergostem that is at “max extensionson”…