I have very long arms and normally keep my hands on the hoods or in the drops. But the other day I was doing a century and as I got bored I put my hands on either side of the stem just to change things up even though it is less comfortable. Every time I did this, I noticed my cadence went up by 4 or more and speed would go up as well (16.?? to 17.??)
I know having arms in is more aerodynamic but it also raises my torso a bit more into the wind. Is it just an aero effect? Does this put my hips in a more efficient position? Is this just an illusion?
"Jim Sherman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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I have very long arms and normally keep my hands on the hoods or in the drops. But the other day I was doing a century and as I got bored I put my hands on either side of the stem just to change things up even though it is less comfortable. Every time I did this, I noticed my cadence went up by 4 or more and speed would go up as well (16.?? to
17.??)
Quoted message said:
I know having arms in is more aerodynamic but it also raises my torso a bit more into the wind. Is it just an aero effect? Does this put my hips in a more efficient position? Is this just an illusion?
I think it's because as you sit further up, you shift the effort to different leg muscles, therefore getting a temporary boost in pace. I notice when I ride without hands, I pedal a lot faster for a little while. Eventually, those muscles will get tired too.
"Jim Sherman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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I have very long arms and normally keep my hands on the hoods or in the drops. But the other day I was doing a century and as I got bored I put my hands on either side of the stem just to change things up even though it is less comfortable. Every time I did this, I noticed my cadence went up by 4 or more and speed would go up as well (16.?? to
17.??)
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For the first time this year I used aero bars in a team time trial - they make a surprising amount of difference in lessening effort whilst maintaining speed - my LBS guy says most of that is just getting into a tuck position (moving your arms in towards the stem as you describe Jim).
I noticed the reduced effort big time in the paceline - I was the weakest wheel on the hill bits but could recover and do good turns on the flats with the bars - those tt bars had languished in the Bike Bits Box for a long time until now - but I'm glad I've figured out what they are occasionally good for !
I noticed the reduced effort big time in the paceline - I was the weakest wheel on the hill bits but could recover and do good turns on the flats with the bars -
You should not use aero bars in a pace line. Your hands are too far from the brakes. You also have to sit up to move your hands to the brake -- this takes far too much time.
--
David L. Johnson
__o | The lottery is a tax on those who fail to understand _`\(,_ | mathematics. (_)/ (_) |
"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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You should not use aero bars in a pace line.
I would have thought this excellent rule for bunch riding would not apply in an organised team time trail with teams of 4 who have trained together for weeks? - they seem to be on the aero bars pretty much constantly in all UCI sanctioned ttt I have seen ?
I would have thought this excellent rule for bunch riding would not apply in an organised team time trail with teams of 4 who have trained together for weeks? - they seem to be on the aero bars pretty much constantly in all UCI sanctioned ttt I have seen ?
I'm with you Andrew.
If you're in a group where *everyone* knows what to expect, it should be OK.
From my recollection, in TTT's I've seen, usually only the lead and second riders will be in the aerobars, as the benefit further on down the line falls off pretty quick and the risk goes up.
Chris Neary [email hidden]
"Science, freedom, beauty, adventure: what more could you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh
"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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Andrew Price said:
I noticed the reduced effort big time in the paceline - I was the weakest wheel on the hill bits but could recover and do good turns on the flats with the bars -
You should not use aero bars in a pace line. Your hands are too far from the brakes. You also have to sit up to move your hands to the brake -- this takes far too much time.
It's fine if you're pulling. I'd rather have a guy on bars in front of me, he can't grab brakes and stack the line, he also can't swerve quickly to leave me to eat the pothole.
You should not use aero bars in a pace line. Your hands are too far from the brakes. You also have to sit up to move your hands to the brake -- this takes far too much time.
It's fine if you're pulling. I'd rather have a guy on bars in front of me, he can't grab brakes and stack the line, he also can't swerve quickly to leave me to eat the pothole.
Well, OK, but most of the people I see using those use them in the line, too, which is just plain stupid. I also think many riders are too squirrely when on those things to draft behind.
--
David L. Johnson
__o | the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. _`\(,_ | That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being (_)/ (_) | attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any <country. -- Hermann Goering
"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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Peter Cole said:
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You should not use aero bars in a pace line. Your hands are too far from the brakes. You also have to sit up to move your hands to the brake -- this takes far too much time.
It's fine if you're pulling. I'd rather have a guy on bars in front of me, he can't grab brakes and stack the line, he also can't swerve quickly to leave me to eat the pothole.
Well, OK, but most of the people I see using those use them in the line, too, which is just plain stupid. I also think many riders are too squirrely when on those things to draft behind.
Some of us who have aerobars more or less permanently mounted, and do a lot of paceline riding, will use them only while on the front. I don't have a problem holding a line, perhaps it's because I have so much time on them, or perhaps it's because I have them set up very conservatively (max elbow separation. etc.). I have had words with people (usually tri-geeks, who don't know any better) who want to use them in the line, that's just nuts. I also see people riding them in city traffic, or busy bike paths - crazy!
