A Time Trialing Thread

I mean when i got a puncture during a race

I’m not sure if this is the right thread for this question, but seems like it might be. I had a bike fit last year on my 10 year old Specialized Shiv, and my aerobars were tilted up ~20deg as a result of the fitting. The way these bars are setup, I had to tilt the hold basebar assembly where it is clamped to the stem, so not the most aero option. I’ve been looking for an angled spacer so I can tilt the arm cups and extensions, but so far have found only two options that work and they are $120+ (including shipping) which seems like a lot.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where I might find one for a more reasonable price? I’m guessing I am stuck with this if I want to get my base bar back to level, but I thought I’d ask before pulling the trigger.

This is what I found for reference:

Ah, good to know, thanks. For training and C races luckily I can live with all of those…

Great to hear you’ve found a faster position. Do come back and share what you’ve tested and how it went.

I’m now not 100% convinced on my last testing with regards to tilt, so I’ll test again. I say this because on viewing the data vs my notes, I think the winds shifted a bit and there was greater yaw in my later tests of that session. Still though, insightful and something to consider for different race conditions.

Also posting as TT season has begun. First race and a promising result with the new position. New course PB was fun, but most importantly CdA is down and speed up about 1.4km/h (0.87mp/h) WOOT!

So, slightly raised and wider elbows over last year is faster. Still keen to look for more improvement so more testing coming up.

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Can you explain why wider elbows could be faster?

Largely personal, but some some the wider elbows tend to shield the rest of the body, making for a more aero profile punching into the wind.

For others, it is more stable and allows them to ā€œturtleā€ better.

For some it could direct the air around the body. I’ve also heard of wider being faster for some although I believe the majority will test faster in a more narrow position.

I personally believe skinsuits play a major role in what happens with the arms and shoulders. I wasted all last year trying to make the Flow suit work and for the life of me I could never understand why I was going slower. When I compare the Flow to the other options I have, I notice the ribbed area is in line with the arms and not perpendicular. I feel that wasn’t tripping the air and causing disturbance.

:slight_smile:

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For me its mainly I am more confident but others it’ll be more comfortable, allowing them to stay aero longer and it might change the position of their head making them more aero there too.

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In general no, I can’t find a specific reason as general advice about this. Certainly control or comfort could be a reason for longer races, but my races are 20-25km UCI so it’s about what’s fast and legal.

When viewing my forearms from above they almost touch, but not touching as prior. The reason was that in position testing on the erg I could turtle more which prevented my shoulders spreading wide. I can now narrow my shoulders 4-7cm (1.6-2.4 inches). Testing is verifying this as faster.:slightly_smiling_face:

Cheers

I had the pleasure of commuting along the OBC ITT course here in Ottawa, some thursdays after work I would ride down a couple of guys on my road bike. Can’t wait to actually get my first proper TT bike, I’ve already beaten a bunch of the local semi pro guys strava times on my roadie. My favorite highlight was beating an entire junior team’s TTT although like with anything on strava I’m sure I had a wicked tailwind.

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A great TT course and club! I know that course well from my U23 days. Would like to do it now some 20+ years later with newer kit and knowledge (training, equipment and aero testing). Didn’t even have aero wheels or aero helmet back then.

For fun I once modeled the OBC course on Best Bike Split with my old gear and race times. Based on that, I’m stronger and more aero now. :laughing:

I tested on the velodrome with a gap of 2cm between my elbows and no gap between my elbows and we found that the 2cm was identical for me. As the 2cm gap feels a lot more stable I therefore use this position now.
I will retest it this year when I get back to aero testing as the new UCI legal position might change the results.

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Thanks all.

Iam a narrow rider with 66kg and 180cm tall. I think for me is it more aero do put the elbows together. But i havent tested.

man that lid looks like it follows the form of your back perfectly. are. your eyes actually below the visor?

What chainring are you running here? Thanks

The visor on that helmet is a joke. If the helmet is properly positioned, the visor only covers the top of my forehead so yes my eyes are below the visor.

:slight_smile:

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Yup, when I have mine in position, the bottom of the visor is right in my eyes, so I had to pull it off and wear glasses.

Thanks. I had often seen Worldtour riders with the same situation and some even running glasses with the tempor. I guess still a great helmet/fairing for us with wide shoulders.

higher or lower than .24?

Here’s one.

Why are most gifted amateur time trialists on big single chainrings, but professional time trial specialists in the world tour nearly all using 2x setups?

Even the big guys - like WVA, who has more ability to motor than most.