I know it may be part of the small secrets that differs riders and add or subtract seconds when doing for instance a TT.
Do any of you know of sources or websites where you can view animations of the pro riders? What i am after is basic motion captured movies that show riding position and pedaling. I think that could be quite interesting.

As this is something that the riders really work hard to improve i also know that it is data the pro teams might not let go into public.

Tumbleweed phwwrrrr phwrrrrr jr

You're having your freedom not to answer my posts... If you have something to say... say it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT5m8KE9e5w -- some great side-shots of some top timetrialers.

well one thing that many rec riders can't maintain is the high cadence, 95- 120 rpm is darn hard without a lot of training.  The position is more a case of the rider, and that has to do with flexibility, any nagging injuries, etc and of course wind tunnel and other high end tweaking that is not easily accesible to the general rider.  Some things may just be good genetics, like the ratio of fast to slow twitch muscle.  The best way is training, a good coach, time, and hard work.

 Keep your heels down is also a tip I learned early on. I didn't realize it at the time, but by doing this simple little trick I was able to move the muscles used from the knee area closer to the centre of my quad, giving me a good 10-15% more power over a longer ride.

 

Also don't force yourself into an aero position, it should feel relaxed. Other than that, just hit the road and you will develop the technique yourself (unless you have the money for a coach)

Thanks for the Youtube link.

It is not that i intend to gain or learn directly from watching pro riders in the wind tunnel or in a different riding situation, but i just think it is an interesting study of riding/body techniques. Whether it is smooth pedaling with a steady body position or a more stuttering style. They all have their natural way of riding - and i just think i could be interesting to compare.

Benjamin

guga:

You're having your freedom not to answer my posts... If you have something to say... say it.

 

Sense of humor failure, I think.

Are you sure you have enough high end bikes? Or are you a bike shop?

Something I noticed watching the 2009 Ironman and this youtube vid is how far forward the riders sit on their saddle. Why do they sit so far forward?  Is it to get over teh pedals more?  Is there some other benefit?  It cant be comfortable.  It hasnt been when Ive tried to slide that far forward on my seat. 

 Any thoughts?

wilwil:

Are you sure you have enough high end bikes? Or are you a bike shop?

Isn't that the guy with the GT3 too? Bike shop and Porsche dealer? Unlikely.

cbow3001:

Something I noticed watching the 2009 Ironman and this youtube vid is how far forward the riders sit on their saddle. Why do they sit so far forward?

Assuming you aren't just trolling, please do a google search on triathlon position vs. road position. Placing yourself very far forward is meant to improve your ability to run after T2 and to warn roadies to about your triathlete status and almost certain lack of bike handling skills.

i think you may be wrong about the saddle forward thing. triathletes do run their saddles lower than roadies with the aim of improving their ability to run after t2 (lower saddle = uses the hamstrings more and saves the quads somewhat). the saddle forward thing is because triathletes a) are in an aero position for much longer than road cyclists; and/or b) have less lower back flexibility than roadies. holding handlebar drop constant, a more forward saddle position opens up the hip angle and reduces the amount of strain on the glutes and lower back. alternatively, you can look at a more forward saddle position enabling a lower, more aerodynamic front end. if you consider that graham obree had a really forward saddle position before the uci imposed the rule requiring the nose of the saddle to be no closer than 5cm behind the bottom bracket, it certainly isn't just triathletes who want to ride in a forward position.

It's the hip angle...moving forward on the saddle using TT bars helps keep the hip angle/power better.

 Zinn has a great book with a chapter on this. Here's a quick summary: take a road position, then rotate it forward around the axis of the pedals until you get in an ideal aero position, then you have the tri aero position, or TT position with aero bars. Some good side effects for saving muscles, but done right it spins the rider fwd to the only major change is gravity, not position relative to the pedals.

 

There's also the SLAM position, which has some differences. 

 

Keep in mind that these things are hotly debated, so take it all with a grain of salt. 

CCCP:

 Assuming you aren't just trolling, please do a google search on triathlon position vs. road position. Placing yourself very far forward is meant to improve your ability to run after T2 and to warn roadies to about your triathlete status and almost certain lack of bike handling skills.

The forward position is also used by TT riders, who don't have to run after their ride or have suspect handling skills  ... here is Zabriskie, one of the best, who rides almost falling forward of his seat: