TT / triathlon bike set up
Discussion
What distance do most of you have between the tip of the saddle and the bottom bracket (horizontal saddle set back may be the correct term)? I was reading a guide on British cycling by one of the Retul founders and his advice was for UCI requirements set it exactly 50mm back from the BB. For anything else line them up. Mine is on the maximum limit for the saddle and 64mm back.
I'm reevaluating the fit on my bike (this was done using Retul) and feel I'm probably too stretched out for my strength &/or flexibility but it probably is the optimum fit that this bike can achieve for me. Not sure what angle it presents at the shoulder but I do find they burn like hell very quickly. To some extent I can make that feel a little better by moving the pads onto my forearms but that isn't really a solution. Think it may be best to go for a smaller frame (it's a Planet X Stealth in Large)?
I'm reevaluating the fit on my bike (this was done using Retul) and feel I'm probably too stretched out for my strength &/or flexibility but it probably is the optimum fit that this bike can achieve for me. Not sure what angle it presents at the shoulder but I do find they burn like hell very quickly. To some extent I can make that feel a little better by moving the pads onto my forearms but that isn't really a solution. Think it may be best to go for a smaller frame (it's a Planet X Stealth in Large)?
As okgo says.
However, the px is quite a long / low bike already; unless you've got a requirement to meet the UCI reg, or are particularly flexible, it would be quite unusual to have the saddle that far back (and it depends a lot on what the saddle is too, nose lenght varies). 'Most' tri fits are quite forward / not UCI legal - the exact distance is going to be personal.
Also, moving the saddle is probably the wrong way to fix cockpit length - establish the correct saddle position / seat angle you're comfortable riding, and then fix the cockpit length with a stem (or as is slowly becoming evident in my case) changing the frame..
However, the px is quite a long / low bike already; unless you've got a requirement to meet the UCI reg, or are particularly flexible, it would be quite unusual to have the saddle that far back (and it depends a lot on what the saddle is too, nose lenght varies). 'Most' tri fits are quite forward / not UCI legal - the exact distance is going to be personal.
Also, moving the saddle is probably the wrong way to fix cockpit length - establish the correct saddle position / seat angle you're comfortable riding, and then fix the cockpit length with a stem (or as is slowly becoming evident in my case) changing the frame..
I had a fit last year and run an ISM Adamo saddle, so seat tip was less use.
Instead he focused on how far forward of the pedal axle my knee hinge was at the 3 o'clock position. I forget the exact number, perhaps about 2 cm. This means that my knees just brush the back of my arms when in the right place on the tri-bars.
All of this may be utterly useless of course, because I'm 6'8'', and was being fitted to a Trek 64 cm aluminium road frame with clip on tri-bars. So I'm probably a bit special.
Short answer, find someone reputable to do a decent fit for you.
Instead he focused on how far forward of the pedal axle my knee hinge was at the 3 o'clock position. I forget the exact number, perhaps about 2 cm. This means that my knees just brush the back of my arms when in the right place on the tri-bars.
All of this may be utterly useless of course, because I'm 6'8'', and was being fitted to a Trek 64 cm aluminium road frame with clip on tri-bars. So I'm probably a bit special.
Short answer, find someone reputable to do a decent fit for you.
I'll sort some pics on Sunday. The saddle is an ISM Adamo so int need to sit on the nose more. It's as far forward as it'll go and still 14mm further back than the UCI limit (50mm I think). For non-UCI requirements I've seen it suggested to align the nose with the BB. Anyhow, see what you guys make of the pics. Then I'll talk to the fitter. I'm considering buying another PX Stealth and using this frame as a road bike (think it would be fine for that) and going for the next size down as a TT. Funnily enough the guy I bought it off was a similar height and leg length and found his road bike preferable. Not sure if he was a stiff runner too!
Sorry for the delay. A few pics and a slo-mo video (hopefully!)
And the video link:
https://youtu.be/-g09jOUsR8k
And the video link:
https://youtu.be/-g09jOUsR8k
Sorry but I just don't think that's the right size bike, that stem has an unusually high positive angle for a TT bike. A smaller frame will only exaggerate the difference. To compensate your saddle also looks too high. Looking at the pictures you could lower the saddle by an inch and drop the bars to get a similar effect. I don't think you'd be too cramped either.
If you've been fitted and its largely comfy then go work it out but it sure as hell looks odd!
If you've been fitted and its largely comfy then go work it out but it sure as hell looks odd!
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 3rd May 19:18
Dropping the front won't be comfortable unfortunately. The stem was added during the Retul fit to get me into a better position. Is it of any use positing the Retul report?
ETA that is the saddle in the most forward position it can do (64mm set back on the horizontal from the BB). Do the only say to move it forward would be to drop the seat post. Think that would put my knee angles out and they feel ok.
ETA that is the saddle in the most forward position it can do (64mm set back on the horizontal from the BB). Do the only say to move it forward would be to drop the seat post. Think that would put my knee angles out and they feel ok.
Edited by m444ttb on Tuesday 3rd May 19:25
I edited the post when I re-read the OP and realised that the current position is post retul bike fit. For me it depends if you had a fit then bought that bike or were fitted to that particular bike.
Either way, I think you sit too high on the bike, drop the saddle and the bars to compensate. In my very limited experience, your knees should be closer to your chest.
Either way, I think you sit too high on the bike, drop the saddle and the bars to compensate. In my very limited experience, your knees should be closer to your chest.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 3rd May 19:32
pablo said:
I edited the post when I re-read the OP and realised that the current position is post retul bike fit. For me it depends if you had a fit then bought that bike or were fitted to that particular bike.
Second hand job off eBay unfortunately. I thought at 6ft 1 a large would be just fine. It was nearly unused (ridden c.100k by previous owner) and effectively half price for it. I was going to buy the same bike anyway so if I went for a medium frame and experimented with stems to set that up id be at about the same cost as new.Ok I appreciate he's a world champion with higher levels of fitness and flexibility but compare Tony Martin's position to your own. So I get that you may not be as flexible and thus not keep quite as straight a back but his saddle/bar height are nothing like yours.
I chose that picture because his right leg is in exactly the same as yours in the first picture of you on the bike but his knee is far closer to his chest. Drop the saddle at least an inch and see how it feels.
Finally, I don't think you can have a TT and triathlon position as the tri position must compensate for the run leg that follows, put simply a TT position should be much more aggressive.
I chose that picture because his right leg is in exactly the same as yours in the first picture of you on the bike but his knee is far closer to his chest. Drop the saddle at least an inch and see how it feels.
Finally, I don't think you can have a TT and triathlon position as the tri position must compensate for the run leg that follows, put simply a TT position should be much more aggressive.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 3rd May 19:48
Here's a slightly better video of me on the TT (please excuse the attire): https://youtu.be/vSZqvy7xeaU
And if useful here's one on the road bike. I find it quite comfortable to ride in the drops: https://youtu.be/fUlEYD3izgY
And if useful here's one on the road bike. I find it quite comfortable to ride in the drops: https://youtu.be/fUlEYD3izgY
pablo said:
Finally, I don't think you can have a TT and triathlon position as the tri position must compensate for the run leg that follows, put simply a TT position should be much more aggressive.
This does depend on the athlete and the level of racing, but a tri position can end up being far more aggressive because they don't have to stick to UCI guidelines.I can understand what you are saying though and a tri position, rider dependant they may try and remove some pressure from the lower leg where as a TT position it is all about maximising power and aero efficiency.
m444ttb said:
Here's a slightly better video of me on the TT (please excuse the attire): https://youtu.be/vSZqvy7xeaU
And if useful here's one on the road bike. I find it quite comfortable to ride in the drops: https://youtu.be/fUlEYD3izgY
It's a bit hard to be certain, but it looks to me like your hips might be rocking at the top/bottom of your pedal stroke on the PX. And if useful here's one on the road bike. I find it quite comfortable to ride in the drops: https://youtu.be/fUlEYD3izgY
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