Is my position ok?

freehub
freehub Posts: 4,257
edited July 2011 in Training, fitness and health
Some pictures, on the drops and on the tops, I went out yesterday and I got lower back ache, still have abit now actually, the saddle height feels good though so hopefully that's ok.

Plenty of adjustment and I have longer/shorter stem available too.

th_DSC00220.jpg
th_DSC00219-1.jpg
th_DSC00218-2.jpg
th_DSC00217-1.jpg


Cheers.
«1

Comments

  • ollyridesfirst
    ollyridesfirst Posts: 486
    doesn't look too bad, although try not to lock your elbows out.....this will hurt after a while and the next day!

    You don't seem to be stretching and your back is fairly straight, so aside from raising your bars a bit, you might just have to get your back used to it!
  • Rule74Please
    Rule74Please Posts: 307
    Saddle up about 1/2" I would say

    and a longer stem will help.

    Stay out of the drops unless you are over 25mph
    Don't know the Rules?

    http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/
  • turnerjohn
    turnerjohn Posts: 1,069
    I had a simlar problem but found sloping the saddle forward (and a small amount back) a little helps rotate the pelvis down...cured my lower back ache literally there and then !
  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    Rule74Please wrote:
    Stay out of the drops unless you are over 25mph

    Why?
  • Rule74Please
    Rule74Please Posts: 307
    You lose power and get a stiff neck / back from being to far over for too long.

    Seeing the tour is on watch how little time they spend in the drops
    Don't know the Rules?

    http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/
  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    Rule74Please wrote:
    You lose power and get a stiff neck / back from being to far over for too long.

    Thats absolute rubbish mate. Theres no lose of power and if your bike is set up correctly then you won't get neck/back pain.
  • Rule74Please
    Rule74Please Posts: 307
    Go read the science.

    The reason for the drops is to reduce drag. Same as TT position where the bttle is to optimise the drag v power drop. Lose 2 watts of drag but only 1 in power and you are faster
    Don't know the Rules?

    http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/
  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    Rule74Please wrote:
    Go read the science.

    The reason for the drops is to reduce drag. Same as TT position where the bttle is to optimise the drag v power drop. Lose 2 watts of drag but only 1 in power and you are faster

    No need for me to read the science, I been riding bikes for years and know id dont suffer any power loss being in the drops.
  • Rule74Please
    Rule74Please Posts: 307
    Well you are WRONG.

    Go read the science.

    Why climb on the tops then?
    Don't know the Rules?

    http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/
  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    Rule74Please wrote:
    Well you are WRONG.

    Go read the science.

    Why climb on the tops then?

    You know what, im not going to waste anymore of my time with this

    Good luck with the science books
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Rule74Please wrote:
    You lose power and get a stiff neck / back from being to far over for too long.

    Seeing the tour is on watch how little time they spend in the drops


    I'm not sure which Tour you're watching, but in the one I'm watching, the majority of riders spend the majority of their time in the drops.

    In fact, I hate riding in the drops and have always been amazed at Pro's ability to spend hour after hour in that position.
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Pokerface wrote:
    I'm not sure which Tour you're watching, but in the one I'm watching, the majority of riders spend the majority of their time in the drops.

    I'm not sure which one you're watching either, but assuming the 'majority' of riders will be in the bunch, it's very unlikely they will be on the drops.
  • Skippy2309
    Skippy2309 Posts: 426
    wouldnt that depend on your drops and fitness. if your not comfortable in the drops then your gonna hurt and suffer.

    personally I use the drops when I am wanting to just put the power down... so lose of power makes no sense especially since the track riders stay on the drops and often have some extreme saddle to bar drop already.

    comfort wise i stay on the hoods and cruise.



    Only way going on the drops would hinder performance is if they are too low! if they are too low they are gonna not let you breath and restrict your range of motion which will sacrifice power. There was a big right up on it before.
    FCN: 5/6 Fixed Gear (quite rapid) in normal clothes and clips :D

    Cannondale CAAD9 / Mongoose Maurice (heavily modified)
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Pseudonym wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    I'm not sure which Tour you're watching, but in the one I'm watching, the majority of riders spend the majority of their time in the drops.

    I'm not sure which one you're watching either, but assuming the 'majority' of riders will be in the bunch, it's very unlikely they will be on the drops.


    Of course. I forgot that Pros don't know how to ride in the drops in large bunches.
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Pokerface wrote:
    Of course. I forgot that Pros don't know how to ride in the drops in large bunches.

    just google a few pics and see for yourself - probably the easiest and most pain-free way of getting you off your high horse.....
  • Skippy2309
    Skippy2309 Posts: 426
    Simply is about comfort, look at the lead group!! just showed 2 on the drops 2 on the hoods. :roll:

    you should be able to put out the same power whether on the hoods or drops. you just have less resistance on the drops.
    FCN: 5/6 Fixed Gear (quite rapid) in normal clothes and clips :D

    Cannondale CAAD9 / Mongoose Maurice (heavily modified)
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Pseudonym wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    Of course. I forgot that Pros don't know how to ride in the drops in large bunches.

    just google a few pics and see for yourself - probably the easiest and most pain-free way of getting you off your high horse.....


    Annnnnnnnd the troll is back :roll:
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    edited July 2011
    Skippy2309 wrote:
    Simply is about comfort, look at the lead group!! just showed 2 on the drops 2 on the hoods. :roll:

    you should be able to put out the same power whether on the hoods or drops. you just have less resistance on the drops.

    agreed, but the difference is so marginal as to be almost negligible. Not even sure about less resistance - I can get just as low on the hoods as I can on the drops and my arms are probably in a more aero position....
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Pokerface wrote:
    Annnnnnnnd the troll is back :roll:

    is that your way of admitting that you are talking a load of nonsense...??
  • Skippy2309
    Skippy2309 Posts: 426
    trained but non-elite cyclists or triathletes do not show differences in physiological responses between upright and aero-bar positions (Origenes, et al., 1992; Swanton et al., 2006).
    Swanton et al (2006) found no differences in power output between aero-bars, upright cycling on the brake-hoods or in the dropped handlebar position

    :wink:
    FCN: 5/6 Fixed Gear (quite rapid) in normal clothes and clips :D

    Cannondale CAAD9 / Mongoose Maurice (heavily modified)
  • Skippy2309
    Skippy2309 Posts: 426
    back on point, I think saddle position may be the problem.... i found I was stretched out on the bike after some time off, i moved the saddle a small amount forward which stopped me pushing back onto the saddle which it looks like your doing in the picture. may be worth doing a little stretching and perhaps dipping the nose on the saddle.
    FCN: 5/6 Fixed Gear (quite rapid) in normal clothes and clips :D

    Cannondale CAAD9 / Mongoose Maurice (heavily modified)
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    Saddles too low, your legs are too white and you're a bit fat.
  • rajMAN
    rajMAN Posts: 429
    Rule74Please wrote:
    Well you are WRONG.

    Go read the science.

    Why climb on the tops then?

    Bizarre!
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    I'm happy with white legs and being abit fat.

    But saddle too low? You sure?? I've being led to believe it's too high or at it's current height on the limit of being too high.
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    freehub wrote:
    I'm happy with white legs and being abit fat.

    But saddle too low? You sure?? I've being led to believe it's too high or at it's current height on the limit of being too high.

    Dunno, but if anyone posts a picture of them sitting on a bike, it is absolutely necessary to tell him that his saddle is too low. I thought everyone knew this?
  • SteveR_100Milers
    SteveR_100Milers Posts: 5,987
    P_Tucker wrote:
    freehub wrote:
    I'm happy with white legs and being abit fat.

    But saddle too low? You sure?? I've being led to believe it's too high or at it's current height on the limit of being too high.

    Dunno, but if anyone posts a picture of them sitting on a bike, it is absolutely necessary to tell him that his saddle is too low. I thought everyone knew this?

    :D
    http://www.pontypoolrcc.co.uk/
    www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44397853765
  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    Rule74Please wrote:
    Well you are WRONG.

    Go read the science.

    Why climb on the tops then?
    Please post the science or links to it for us to read.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • SteveR_100Milers
    SteveR_100Milers Posts: 5,987
    I'd like to read the science too, then I can sell my TT bike and sail through events riding with a parachute attached to my back! I'll be OK though as it will be at 24.99 mph
    http://www.pontypoolrcc.co.uk/
    www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44397853765
  • Skippy2309
    Skippy2309 Posts: 426
    could actually be right about the saddle height..... check out the picture with the leg at the bottom of the stroke, you drop the heal for the picture but it you might not when pedalling.

    Alex check my post at the top of the page that was lifted directly from a published paper, references etc, the whole study shows less muscle activation (EMG readings) when in aero positions or in the drops - although if what I read was right this is to maintain 25W so wouldn't it be correct to say its more efficient on the drops...
    FCN: 5/6 Fixed Gear (quite rapid) in normal clothes and clips :D

    Cannondale CAAD9 / Mongoose Maurice (heavily modified)
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    Well when I'm riding I'm actually in a heal up position, apparently some people prefer heal up position, some people prefer heal down, and some people ride flat, so that means my heal up position might be ok?

    The other thing I forgot is, I seem to get really aching arse cheeks and I've always suffered from it, I had it going down my left leg once so had to set the seat slightly off center to the right.

Categories