How Is my Position

nakita222

here are a few photos of me on me on my bike, not the best of photos to judge from, but do you have any pointers fo me improving my position, hopefully which will aid me on my quest to become a beter cyclist.

1. http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/vie ... d=14606652
2.http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/vie ... d=14605950
3.http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/vie ... d=14606654
4.http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/vie ... d=14604613

I am 6ft 4, Most of that is leg

Thanks in advance

Monty Dog

Only the first link is working...
Your saddle to bar drop is quite big so just more sure you keep working on your core exercises and hamstring stretches

Aggieboy

nakita222 wrote:

here are a few photos of me on me on my bike, not the best of photos to judge from, but do you have any pointers fo me improving my position, hopefully which will aid me on my quest to become a beter cyclist.

1. http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/vie ... d=14606652
2. http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/vie ... d=14605950
3. http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/vie ... d=14606654
4. http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/vie ... d=14604613

I am 6ft 4, Most of that is leg

Thanks in advance

keef66

Bloody hell, you're not wrong about the legs!

You look pretty comfortable on the bike, but I think you could get the saddle even higher (if you have a long enough seatpost) so that your leg is more extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Would give you a bit more power.
As a rough guide, your leg should be nearly straight with your heel on the pedal.

nakita222

thank u, yep my legs are about 40cm inseam, they're are very strange. I got a bit of saddle playing room, I raise it by a bit and I will do the stretches, back gets sore after about 60 miles on the bike so they should help. Any more advice anyone.

amnesia

nakita222 wrote:

thank u, yep my legs are about 40cm inseam, they're are very strange. I got a bit of saddle playing room, I raise it by a bit and I will do the stretches, back gets sore after about 60 miles on the bike so they should help. Any more advice anyone.

I hope you mean 40 inches... 40cm is a bit... er... diddy

nakita222

yep, defo 40 inches

keef66

My main fear is that you might really need a bigger frame. That way you could get the right saddle height without such an extreme saddle to bar drop, which would help with the back ache.

Given your unusual shape, if you haven't already done so I'd strongly reccommend paying for a proper bike fit

rake

the saddle drop doesnt look too bad to me. your arms look pretty longl.

itboffin

You could try smiling once in awhile too :P

nakita222

Ok here is a full synopsis of my dimensions to avoid confusion. big feet, long legs, short torso, long arms, avergae ears, big head, big hands.

rake

average ears. i like it.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO
try this fit calculator. its fairly good.

Anonymous

I think it's difficult to tell from those photos. Well, it's difficult to tell from photos anyhoo.
That said, it looks ok to me.

danowat

Agree with the above, hard to tell from pics, but looks ok, saddle bar drop looks more than normal, but you appear to have quite long limbs.

Bike fit might be the way to go.

mattshrops

get someone to take a side on view with you on the drops

MikeWW

Looks OK to me
Not sure about the red overshoes!!

lovestheclimb

agree with above bike fit needed or if not then photo side on in the drops

vorsprung

nakita222 wrote:

thank u, yep my legs are about 40cm inseam, they're are very strange. I got a bit of saddle playing room, I raise it by a bit and I will do the stretches, back gets sore after about 60 miles on the bike so they should help. Any more advice anyone.

Upper back/shoulders -- bars too low
Lower back -- saddle to bars too short (according to http://www.bikefitting.com/English/FAQ/LowerBack.aspx ) I've never had this problem myself

I've done a bike fitting hints and tips article on my blog

keef66

"Upper back/shoulders -- bars too low
Lower back -- saddle to bars too short"

So a bigger frame would address both possible problems! Get measured / fitted properly!

Monty Dog

I'm not sure about Lower back = saddle to bars too short as it can also be due to weak core, tight hamstrings and sometimes hyper-extension. The problem with any online diagnosis, it's all a bit hypothetical and would go back to the advise that if the OP has a problem e.g. sore lower back, then suggest a bike fit would help identify and possibly a change in position will alleviate the condition.

Headhuunter

Are those Dulwich Paragon shorts?

racingcondor

They are Dulwich shorts (I know from experience ).

Just from the photo's I thought you had a lot of seatpost showing in the first shot but looking at the others didn't think you look too bent over so it may not be a big issue. You don't look to have many spacers under the stem either so you may be able to raise the front end 5-10mm (depends how low it's been cut).

It's hard to say much more than that though really, you would probably be fine on a larger frame but much larger and you may well end up with a top tube that's too long for you (and a very short stem).

If you can get hold of a Turbo, prop up the front wheel to level the bike off and take a couple of shots side on on the hoods (nearside foot at 0 and 180 degrees from vertical) and a couple more in the drops (same feet) that would help.

nakita222

Yep Dulwich Shorts, I do have quite a bit of seatpost showing and I will try to get some better shots

Headhuunter

nakita222 wrote:

Yep Dulwich Shorts, I do have quite a bit of seatpost showing and I will try to get some better shots

Ah. I don't recognise you, do you go on the Sat or Sun rides?

nakita222

early saturday dpnc ride fromt time to time, but mainly the normal saturday ride and some of the wednesday chaingangs

Nuggs

Monty Dog wrote:

The problem with any online diagnosis, it's all a bit hypothetical

Heresy! As soon as something is published on the internet, it becomes true. Everyone knows that. :roll: