Riding position

[Ollie]

I've been paying a lot of attention to my riding position recently, and I would like the opinion of the more qualified cyclists here.

 

I have six positions that I alternate during the course of my ride.

 

1. Climbing standing

2. Climbing seated

3. Relief

4. Bar-end aero

5. Center aero

6. Downhill

 

I've uploaded three pics, pertaining to positions 4 and 5.

 

Bar-end aero. Pic taken off center shows elbow bend:

 

 http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7952/pict0646bar0.jpg

 

Center aero.

 

 http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3619/pict0649bet0.jpg

 

 http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7369/pict0617bsi2.jpg

 

I am not able to sustain these positions due to fatigue (probably brought about by mountain bike geometry and possibly an ill-fitted mountain bike at that), which brings me back to the Relief position, which differs from Bar-end aero in that my back is less horizontal, and the hands slide to the beginning of the bar-ends, or grasp the handlebars.

 

From the pics I can see that the right bar end need adjusting.

[Windbreaker]

 

buy a road bike 

MTB's are supposed to be ridden in the "full parachute" position for maximum character building benefit (or so all the off roaders tell me) . They don't do the woosie aero stuff. Besides you go so slow on an MTB that it doesn't make much difference.

 

Windbreaker2008-02-03 11:35:05

[Windbreaker]

and besides, with all this evidence you bettern not try to do any of the PPA events. They are getting strict on the white line rule and you just got dq'ed.

 

[Dicky DQ]

How do you find the bar ends with the standing climbing?

 

Typically you lokk to have the bar ends at the same angle as the stem. Also try going for clipless pedals, will make a beeeg difference.

 

Oh yes Ask Groot Lem re riding position. He rode a mean race today and kicked moet of us rodies butts.

[Azonic]

A position what I like when I'm giving it stick on my MTB is similar to your 'centre aero', just I don't lie on the bars, I hold the bars on either side of the stem, and lower my upper body as needed. I find that if I ride your position I waste too must energy trying to keep the bike upright with my arms as you can't really concentrate on your pedaling.

[Azonic]

 

Typically you lokk to have the bar ends at the same angle as the stem. Also try going for clipless pedals' date=' will make a beeeg difference.

[/quote']

 

Can't agree with that. If you got a stem with a low rise it "looks" good to have the bar-ends at the same angle as the stem.

 

However, you should be putting the bar ends at the position that's comfortable to you when you are using them, nothing to do with the stem.

 

[Dicky DQ]

Bar end aero is probably the best for long stints.just sot out the angles. PS in that position you can stick with most rodie bunches up till about 50km/hr without too much trouble.

 

To be able to hold the position work on your core. I don't and I suffer.

[Odion]

Not too sure if you're planning on competing in road or mtb events. If it's mtb events,seldom will you get a chance to get in an aero position even on a downhill (too many bumps, rocks etc). Even with the bar ends it becomes hair raising. I find you have more control with the hands on the grips. Like I said depends if you're looking for advice regards road or mtb.

[gummibear]

I dont race MTB i only for for fun so i cant say much about your possition but get MTB shoes and clipless pedals and see what a difference that will make.

[Ollie]

Windbreaker, I'd love to buy a road bike -- it just isn't in the budget and won't be for quite a while. The pics were taken by my girlfriend this afternoon in a secluded area, hours after the Medallion -- white line rule not really applicable....if the comment wasn't in jest, of course.

 

Dick, strangely enough, the bar-ends were more comfortable today than I expected them to be. The levelling adjustment was made just last night as I glanced at the bike and theorised that there might be an aerodynamic benefit if they were horizontal as opposed to the normal angle.

 

I must pay special attention to my core -- hopefully this will delay the onset of fatigue, especially with my back and triceps.

 

Odion, I ride only on the road. Thus far, anyway.

 

 

[Azonic]

You don't need a road bike just yet. I've done road races here in PE where I've literally been shoulder to shoulder with Malcolm Lange while on my MTB. Just when the pace gets to about 55km/h you gotta be pretty confident in your spinning capabilities. That day in question I finished about 45 seconds behind Darryl Impey. Seems you got either 1" or 1.25" tires on. At high pressure they roll as good as road bike wheels. I'm not sure how long you've been cycling, but the position on the bike isn't rocket science, unless you are a TdF rider. Just keep riding and the position you are most comfortable in will present itself to you at various gradients.

[Ollie]

 

Besides you go so slow on an MTB that it doesn't make much difference.

 

Well, I'm working my way to 30km/h average in the events (started training late last year, probably S-seed on Wednesday), so I want to do what I can to utilise the small amount of power my legs are generating as efficiently as possible when above that speed.

 

Azonic, I started in October last year. Around 1300km...

 

[Azonic]

One more thing, you never want to constrict your chest... Try keep your chest (and lungs) as open as possible, no matter what position you are riding.

[#Pete#]

I hope this is for a Time trial!

 

I don't want you anywhere near me in a bunch with no finger on a brake (sorry).

 

[City Cycling Athletic Club]

those roads look familiar , if you are in the Edgemead area. pm me we have various levels of cyclist in our training groups and have recently had a group of runners join looking to start cycling.

[Ollie]

 

I hope this is for a Time trial!

 

I don't want you anywhere near me in a bunch with no finger on a brake (sorry).

 

These two positions are only used when I don't have the benefit of a bunch or paceline to draft. In this case I return to the Relief position. 

 

So in essence, yes, I'll be TT'ing when these more aerodynamic positions come into play.