Becoming more aero, and faster

To me, you look to far back on the bike, and the front end is too high (and probably also too short). I do wonder if your saddle is too low too. But I have absolutely no experience, hah!

Definitely better than the original shots….your back is straighter, where it was rounded previously.

Are you still planning on putting on a longer stem?

I thought the stem looked longer in the latest pic - probably just the angle. But definitely looks better.

Looking at the latest pic I’d say you could PROBABLY still benefit from a larger bike, but your back looks a lot better. I hope that picture is in your natural state and you were not simply trying to get an ideal position for the photo, because then you’d really be doing yourself a dis-service.

That said, you’re always going to be at a slight disadvantage compared to a little guy like me at 5’9", in fact there’s a guy who I do practice crits with who is about 5 inches shorter than me and his FTP is something like 50-75w lower than mine (same weight, he’s stocky) and he can still take a very strong pull and is undoubtedly a stronger sprinter than myself. Keep things realistic, you’re on a 22lb bike with big tires and you’re a tall boy, so for you to get into the 20mph club on a regular basis might take more work, but damn you’ll be proud once you are there consistently

The real issue here is road bikes are far from optimal for tall riders. Particularly for riders over, say about 6’4.

Just look at them, they are a foot taller, but barely an inch longer in wheelbase, with the same size wheels. This puts the riders very high up, not between the wheels, but way up over them and very forward.

This was ‘somewhat’ solved in the MTB world with 29inch wheels and no restrictions on wheelbase.

I’m stunned it’s 2021 and nobody makes an optimal large road bike for tall riders. I guess they’re still stuck on the idiotic UCI length restrictions. The wheels would be more complex, but there has to be a market for an ideal big person bike…

This is just a taster, full video only available to GCN+ subscribers:

Conor admits that the bigger wheels won’t make him any more aero, but the overall story of how to fit bikes to much taller riders is interesting.

I’m sitting comfortably on the widest part of the saddle which keeps me from going numb, if I go more forward I’m just on the narrower part of the saddle and it’s not comfortable. It’s a Spez Phenom in 143 and I really like it, the first saddle that has felt good. I have Specialized Power on the way from @QuittingBikes which I’m curious to try as it’s a little snubbier.

Trying to work on my position better and not be so rounded, it’s somewhat mental, somewhat fit. Yessir, -17º 130mm on the way.

This is very true. Good example is Trek, the 61cm Crockett I have has an ETT of only 58.8cm. What is that business? I get it, it’s a CX bike so it’s gonna be a little more compact, but it’s so far off from the listed size. I’m finding that I have to make bikes work because so many manufacturers are either stopping at 60 or 61 and there’s a very limited number of frames that “properly fit” tall guys.

Definitely natural, this is semi-aero. I can go lower, but it’s not as comfortable, nor sustainable for extended periods. I just dropped 20mm in spacers and have a -17º 130mm stem on the way. Hopefully, that gets me a little lower until I can find the right frame.

No, what I meant is, you look like your whole body is too far back. Like you’re about to pull a wheelie. Not where you’re sitting on the saddle.

…but bear in mind that I habe no clue! Better to listen to the others here!

Gotcha. I have my seat back a bit, and am running 20mm of setback on my post. I have long arms.

Update after -17° 130mm stem. Feels comfortable, but how’s it look…?

Relaxed, semi-aero, super-aero




Getting better……try and post some pics after you have been riding a bit. Always tough to gauge fit when you are just sitting on a bike as opposed to seeing it after you have warmed up and settled into a position.

But definitely going in the right direction!!

Slammed stems look so good if only I was on a proper sized bike :unamused:

Now we are looking mean. That pic against the wall looks dope asf. Hopefully power13 agrees with this, but even if a tilted pelvis is wanted, your pelvis is rotated too far in the first and somewhat in the second. This is creating an unnatural backwards bend in your back and I don’t think it’ll end well for your body.
One thing I would reccomend to change right now is to roll your hoods up more. Doesnt have to be flat but I see too many riders trying to emulate a few select pro’s and have their hoods flat or slightly down. Puts your wrist at a really weird angle and ime makes you to sort of try to sit over the top of your bars and it caused me some hip and lower back tense issues and tightness (when I never get such). Actually been easier to get in an aero positon and hold it with the hoods up a bit more and in general far far more comfortable, with no issues as mentioned before. Definitely not a flexibility issue aswell as I can put my hands flat on the floor with cleats on and only a minor stretch.

It looks like you are too far forward with respect to the bottom bracket and especially the bars. The aero picture looks like you are supporting too much weight with your hands. When this happens O2 that could be used for making more power is used holding your body “up” robbing you of power so-to-speak. IMO you still could move the seat aft and move the bars forward away from you.

If you ride close to a threshold effort and take you hands off the bars and swing them behind you I wonder what happens? This is a balance test from Steve Hogg. If you can ride comfortably like that ^^^ and not fall forward then I’ll eat crow. I think you will fall forward which is a big clue to move aft.

JMO/E. I’m no fitter. I’ve seen guys make all kinds of crazy things work. But, making it work and making it optimal are a bit different. My comments are more to the optimal side. I think you could easily make the above position work however. Cheers!

Ok, thanks. Out for a ride, this is the new natural fit. Not my super tucked aero position, just general riding. Feels lower, longer and much less hunched. Thanks for all the input and patience as this went from looking for aero gains feedback component-wise to a personal bike-fitting thread.

After:

Original (w/120mm -6º stem and 20mm of extra spacers)

Yea that looks much more :ok_hand:t4:

This still looks good too (knee over spindle)

image

I have 5mm until it’ll fully aft—so almost.

@anthonylane that looks serviceable to me if you are comfortable with that geometry.

The only thing I’ll throw out there for you to think about: in my experience moving your hips further behind the bottom bracket reduces the power you’ll be able to sustain. This is one of the few bike measurements I’m picky about. Always like to be sitting ~18 cm behind the bottom bracket.

Good to know. I haven’t ever given it thought as I’ve just adjusted my setback to what makes me most comfortable. I wonder how one finds the most optimal position in terms of balance of comfort and power. I have a session for tomorrow with sustained power intervals, I’m curious to see how this “fit” feels.

Right now the saddle tip to center of BB shell is 12cm. @KorbenDallas I went and tested the no-hands balance method and was able to successfully do so without falling forward.

I’ve been digging into Steve Hogg’s website, but so much of his info isn’t based off math or formulas, it’s more of experience plus trial and error until user feels comfortable and powerful. Lots to consider, for example, his take on finding optimal saddle setback isn’t about specific measurements, KOPS or physiology, it’s simpler than that…

That 12/18cm probably varies by rider height. Also keep in mind you can’t (shouldn’t) necessarily slam the saddle back as it’s not always designed for that. Mine has MAX marked with room to spare, not sure if that’s carbon specific or not but worth noting