help with TT riding position

NITR8s

I am going to take part in the TT season this year and I want to start preparing for it. I dont own a TT bike or TT clip on bars or any other TT specific items but wanted to improve as much as possible on my standard road bike.

Therefore, yesterday while cycling home I decieded to try and working on my riding position to improve aerodynamtics. However, on the drops and tucking in my elbows, my knees are just about touching my elbows. Is this ok or is this a sign that I need a longer stem. Obviously this would be solved by using TT bars but as I said before I want to work on my actual ability first and once I am happy there to consider any TT specific items.

danowat

It's a sign your bike doesn't fit you properly.

smidsy

Hands on hoods and forearms parallel with the floor should give you a fairly aero position on a standard road bike. This will also mean your knees are no where near your elbows.

Also slide forwards on your saddle to engage bug guns.

ShutUpLegs

There is a 'sticky' in the Training forum that may give some useful advice.

themekon

NITR8s wrote:

I am going to take part in the TT season this year and I want to start preparing for it. I dont own a TT bike or TT clip on bars or any other TT specific items but wanted to improve as much as possible on my standard road bike.

Therefore, yesterday while cycling home I decieded to try and working on my riding position to improve aerodynamtics. However, on the drops and tucking in my elbows, my knees are just about touching my elbows. Is this ok or is this a sign that I need a longer stem. Obviously this would be solved by using TT bars but as I said before I want to work on my actual ability first and once I am happy there to consider any TT specific items.

When your are holding the bend of the drops and the crank is in line with the down tube that knee should just brush your elbow.

Grill

The drops are not aero. As has been mentioned, hands on hoods with forearms on the bars.

themekon

Just trying to point out that the OP does not need a longer stem. I'll just add that pre Tri- Bars the most aero position was def' on the drops.
Have a look at any of the old testers such as Alf Engers, Dave Bonner or Beryl Burton who were doing times the majority on here just dream about and you wont see them holding onto the hoods.

Grill

themekon wrote:

Just trying to point out that the OP does not need a longer stem. I'll just add that pre Tri- Bars the most aero position was def' on the drops.
Have a look at any of the old testers such as Alf Engers, Dave Bonner or Beryl Burton who were doing times the majority on here just dream about and you wont see them holding onto the hoods.

This is dependent on setup more than anything. The key is to get your back to less than 20 degrees, which isn't possible on the hoods for those that don't have the appropriate drop, thus the drops being faster. If you have a setup that allows for that back angle on the hoods (forearms flat on the bars) then you will have less frontal area and reap an aero benefit. I know which position is faster for me into the wind...