Aero postion on the road, your take?

[mattr]

TBH I thought the latest advice was narrow rather than low

[AGW]

For a true TT position, yes. But without clip-ons or TT bars with pads (just resting your forearms on the tops), your elbows will still flair out even when the hands are narrow.

[HillRPete]

@HillRPete: That setup is crazy looking, I look forward to hearing how the TT goes!

It went ok. Goal was to average 38kph, and I did 38.3 on the 46km course, which was good enough to put me around 1/3rd down in the under 40 age group. The course was quite demanding, turny and with barely a flat section, with rollers ranging from small to medium to steep with a drag on top. Guess most of the difference was all the riding I did in the drops lately, and then maybe the aero tweaks shaved off another few seconds.

Goal for next year is to do over 39kph avg, ideally around 39.5 which might have gotten you top ten in the age group (9th - 11th all had 39.5).

Maybe I have to do another road gear TT next weekend

[KWalker]

If your focus is on TT's why haven't you done the many free DIY aero tests that actually determine drag coefficient or which setup is actually the most aero. Not that hard really.

[Marin]

If your focus is on TT's why haven't you done the many free DIY aero tests that actually determine drag coefficient or which setup is actually the most aero. Not that hard really.

Sounds interesting - Got a link to one of those?

[jekyll man]

marin,

I presume karsten means Chung aerolab in Golden Cheetah.

I should really use it myself, but it needs to be in a reliable repeatable environment.
A lot of guys on the timetrialling forum swear by it (perhaps thats why they're faster than me)

[HillRPete]

If your focus is on TT's why haven't you done the many free DIY aero tests that actually determine drag coefficient or which setup is actually the most aero.

That was the first (non uphill) TT I targeted a bit really. Maybe I have to take it up a notch next year and be more systematic about the tuning. In any case I think the biggest gain is to be made from doing lots of workouts in the tuck, to get really used to it.

Anyway, do people think the Cinelli Ram 3 would make a good handlebar for road TTs? I've been wondering if one could rest the wrists on top, and grab the computer mount for a little stability and steering. That would be a somewhat moderate approach, compared to the crazy ugly Sphinx/Zefiro/younameit bars that have come out lately.

I'm quite keen on building a steel aero bike now.

[BmanX]

I personally would go for the Pro Bars as they have the two mounting bolts under the stem and I bet you could fashion something to hold onto that would still be behind the frontal plan of the shifters.

[nathanong87]

any pictures of u riding this thing mate?

[HillRPete]

In the end I didn't really get the elbows in front of the knees, when moving forward a bit on the saddle under effort. Looking at it myself it seems I could benefit from a bit more reach, whatever way that might be put into practice (sphinx on the hoods, ghost aero bars, etc). Also I didn't mess with the saddle setback, moving to the front might allow to flatten the back a bit?

[Cuki]

Damn, I need those Arm Warmers

[nathanong87]

so u rode this hilly course with your arms near the center?

if so, personally i think i'd want a wider reach on hoods or drops for the leverage in a merckx style TT

[KWalker]

lol wow, just wow. Good luck with your future riding endeavors with this setup.

[HillRPete]

KWalker: bit of a one-off for sure. Don't take me too seriously. Or the sport in general ...

[jekyll man]

from my experience, a frame that is too small doesn't climb well.

Looking at your pic's, i reckon you'd be far better off on a bigger bike and being able to use the drops.
It would stop you being crunched up, enabling better muscle usage, as well as being probably more aero.