TT Bike Position

[The Saint]

I am new to Triathlon and riding a Time Trial Bike so I would like to know from those of you who have these bikes a few things.

 

Is the position supposed to be comfortable or are you supposed to feel like you have a 100kilos on the back of your neck?

 

I have found when riding my bike that looking into the distance is difficult because of the neck strain it creates. Looking just a little ahead seems to be ideal but rather dangerous.

 

Control is not easy especially in the cross winds - any tips to improve or is this just a practice makes perfect issue?

[Thug]

I think its a combination of factors, the most important being that your bike setup is 100% and then its a question of getting used to it.

[Tankman]

Is the position supposed to be comfortable

 

No

[Disylizzy]

As long as you know your setup is correct, it takes some getting used to the position. If pains keep persisting after quite a few rides, then get your setup checked again.

 

As for control, practice, practice, practice!

[Fitter]

Simply put, a good position is one that is most comfortable, irrespective of the cycling discipline. So no, a tri position is not meant to be uncomfortable. The basis of good fit is to fit the bike to the rider, not the other way around, and there is no need to force an adaptation. That being said, tri fitting is a specialist discipline and you do need to get to see someone who knows tri setups. Also know that good aerodynamics are a function of frontal width and not height, so there is no pressing need to get super-low in front in the mistaken belief this is aero. Rather sit taller (and easier) and set up to get narrower rather than lower.

[predictor007]

Looking at Schleck versus AC in the tour it was very apparrent that Schleck sacrificed the optimal setup. I recon he knows whats cooking so I recon you start with the most aero position known to man then measure your power. then repeat until you get to the sweet spot where you can persist and endure and then you have the right fit. For the rest of us mortals getting that low, even when Andy cannot do it, makes no sense unless you are build for it.

 

If doing the IM you will be in the position for over 5 hours and I do not care who you are unless you pro you will struggle to get tri position fit. Rather go for a position you can maintain even if it is not that aero.

 

In my last IM I overtook well over 500 people in the last 60km as they could just not stay in the tri position anymore.

 

I was way more aero in my half proper position versus the dudes who sat up course they just could not do TRI anymore.

 

Then lets not forget that you then still need to run afterwards.

 

Pain is good as long as it is in the legs and not the neck

 

Good luck.

[Christie]

In general, the position used for road TTs like CSA road champs or the TTs in the TDF is lower than for triathlon. I've neve done TRI, but I read somewhere that a too low position on the bike puts more strain on the hamstrings, leading to a slower run.

 

You have to grow used to the TT position. For me, training for road TTs, that meant to do at least one long ride of 2-3 hrs per week in the off season on the TT bike, riding in the drops as much as possible.

 

As for power, I lost about 60 watt initially, when I first got onto the TT bike. Lots of TT intervals & TTs helped me get some, but not all of it back, compared to my power on the road bike.

 

I also experimented with my handlebar position a lot. I even fitted a tilt adjustable stem. My conclusion was that the lowest bar position did not result in the fastest time over 30km. I ended up with a relatively low bar position (about 15mm higher than the lowest possible with the stem) but in which I could generate about 30w more power. This was my "sweet spot" position that gave the fastest time.

Edited November 1, 2010 by Christie

[The Saint]

Got in an hour yesterday and managed 32Km's with all the robot stops and starts and it was not to bad. I am happy with the speed achieved and my perceived power output. I found riding into the wind a lot easier in the TT position as well as a lot faster. I have bought some spacers in an effort to lift the bars a bit, I think I may be to low in the front which is causing the neck strain when I look up to see where I am going.

 

Thanks for all the advice so far.