Can you expand on why switching to the ISM saddle was the best move you’ve made? I have been mulling with trying out an ISM saddle, but was curious as to your reasoning.
Thanks!
For me it was just the elimination of the pressure you get from a nosed saddle whilst riding in an aero position on tt bars.
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For many users, it allows them to rotate their hips forward more. This is primarily due to how you sit on the saddle. For guys, the 'dangly-down parts" dangle down in front of the saddle nose instrad of getting compressed. Similarly for ladies, sensitive areas are moved forward and off the actual saddle.
If you can rotate your hips further forward, you can get lower in the front end without changing your hip angles…you are just taking your existing position and rotating it forward around the BB.
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For me time trailing was always a weakness. I decided this time last year that I wanted to pursue a TT state championship. So I picked up a used Trek SC and did some rudimentary aero fit work using advise from members on this website and images of the fast guys in the UK. I also switched to mainly long and sustained SS intervals. Ultimately I’ve had some decent success and can avg around 29mph when feeling good. I also just recently completed another goal of a solo sub 4 century.
Due to covid our State Championship was put on hold and just recently rescheduled for the middle of December. Hopefully I can get it together and obtain a desired result!
I’ve learned that your shouldn’t expect to be fast on the TT overnight. It takes time and lots of fine tuning. Just stick with it and you will see positive results. Hopefully with some more experience and tuning I can achieve my ultimate goal of a 30mph avg in future races.
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Was very good actually. Was a quiet day and the guys totally geeked out and were happy to keep trying options out.
Tweaked my position to get my cda down to around 0.20 from memory (can’t find my report now) and then tried various helmets etc to optimise equipment.
I think we projected a 15minute saving on the bike leg of an IM!
I haven’t done wind tunnel testing, but did so aero testing on the velodrome w/ ERO out in LA. While I didn’t pick up any massive wattage savings, I confirmed that my position was already very good and that, surprisingly, a high hands position for me was slower. I did one short run with a high hands position and the data was very clear and we did not even bother trying to refine it.
So while I was kinda disappointed I didn’t have any “aha” moments, it did prevent me from making a mistake of going to a high hands position, which works very well for the majority of people. We determined that a slight 10* angle was the optimal choice for me.
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First thing we tried in the wind tunnel was a higher hand position. Also made me slower, (which surprised the aero guys). Something to do with the way my shoulders disrupted the airflow with the hands up apparently. I just nodded and went away pleased I didn’t need an entire new front end.
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I took a break from racing TTs at the end of the 2018 season, this also included stopping structured training but have now decided to make a come back.
I previously used TR in my early days of racing but then switched to having a coach… I have learnt an incredible amount from having a coach, both in terms of training techniques and what works for my physiology so will now be self-coaching using the TR platform again.
I have spent a lot of time developing my position, and equipment, through aero testing… both done myself using Golden Cheetah and in a velodrome.
Due to the amount of training time that I have available, I will be focusing on the shorter distances, 10 and 25 miles mainly but may consider the odd 50 miler if the opportunity arises.
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For bars, I would consider a second-hand set of 3T Ventus II… if you can find them.
Careful, I bought some 3d printed Aerocoach angled spaces that crumbled in about 4 months of use…
Interesting, wonder what they use…these have cost about 5p in materials, so if they crumble on the turbo I won’t shed too many tears.
Great position and set-up. Nice arm extension and hand position…
The older generation P series had great geometries…long and low.
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That’s interesting because I am wanting 15 degree angle riders for pads and seen theirs. I was just about to order last night. They seem a lot cheaper than others, but this might be why.
Did you end up getting another replacement?
I replaced them with Revolver angled spaces… not cheap but I’m impressed with them.
On my turbo bike I got some alloy spaces off ebay & took a file to them to create the angle required. ~£20
If you search you will find various complaints about Aerocoach spacers / arm cups online.
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Just curious what aero/trip socks are you all using?
I have had success with a few combinations…
- NoPinz Trip Overshoes
- Velotoze with D2Z calfguards.
- Giro Empire shoes with tape over the laces and D2Z calfguards
Depends if you need to be UCI legal, or not…
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Rule 28 calf guards. Sportful Speedskin overshoes.
Tried Nopinz trip socks but you have to get the trips postponed exactly right or they test slower.
Got sick of the fight to put velotoze overshoes on & their fragility.
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