Aero tuck

Alex99

Hi all,
I have been watching the pro's use the bum under the saddle, on the top tube tuck on descents, but also increasingly on the flat for short periods. I've wondered how much it is worth having tried it myself and found it a bit tricky.

Here it Tony Martin assuming the tuck:
http://thechurchofcycling.tumblr.com/po ... k-style-is

I realised that the 'new' tuck style gives something very close the the Obree v1 position; the mighty Egg.
Graeme Obree:
http://velonode.cc/members/niks/activity/2995/

It's like when evolution comes up with a near identical solution on different continents. Will we see this being used more on the flat and would the UCI be able to ban it?

ddraver

There comes a point on a fast descent (actually way before most people spin out a 53x11) where pedaling will add very little to your speed as the main thing slowing you down is air resistance. So making your body more aerodynamic is more important than pedalling (though the poles and Slovaks appear to have developed ways of doing both).

It's easier for the pros becasue of the small frame/long seatpost and stem combo they use.

The second half of your post I confess rather baffles me...

rick_chasey

Gets some laughs on the club run - though wouldn't recommend on a road full of potholes.

specialgueststar

Castelli were trialling some new bib shorts with a sort of mini wheel in the crotch area - the idea was you can lower yourself onto the back wheel and use the wheel as a brake or just let it spin - the brake was controlled by a wire that attached to the thumb

Alex99

SpecialGuestStar wrote:

Castelli were trialling some new bib shorts with a sort of mini wheel in the crotch area - the idea was you can lower yourself onto the back wheel and use the wheel as a brake or just let it spin - the brake was controlled by a wire that attached to the thumb

What's the date again?

phreak

specialgueststar

phreak wrote:

careful not to use your own 'wheel' :shock:

salsiccia1

Serious question - has anyone ever done any wind-tunnel work on the best descending position?

ddraver

Yes, It's been done (hence what I wrote) but I don't know who did/published it. I remember hearing about it on a podcast, may have been Hutch..?

Alex99

Salsiccia1 wrote:

Serious question - has anyone ever done any wind-tunnel work on the best descending position?

There's a report here:

http://www.roadbikereview.com/reviews/v ... k-position

4 kph gain going from a traditional aero tuck, to sat on top tube tuck (based on a 6% downhill).

dolan_driver

phreak wrote:

I'd love to see the wind-tunnel test results on the "Pantani-Tuck". It may or may not be more aerodynamic than any other tuck but damn if it wasn't the weirdest and coolest way to get down a steep hill. I used to employ this method when I was younger. Needs a degree of flexibility that 40 year olds probably no longer possess.

The current trend of sitting on the top tube may be the fastest way down but it looks stupid!

DD.

Shadowrider

Dolan Driver wrote:

phreak wrote:

I'd love to see the wind-tunnel test results on the "Pantani-Tuck". It may or may not be more aerodynamic than any other tuck but damn if it wasn't the weirdest and coolest way to get down a steep hill. I used to employ this method when I was younger. Needs a degree of flexibility that 40 year olds probably no longer possess.

The current trend of sitting on the top tube may be the fastest way down but it looks stupid!

DD.

I'm sure I remember Bernie Eisel using this position early on at sky.

No_Ta_Doctor

Pantani tuck looks like standard MTB descending