Aero/Gains Thread

Berger said:
Went and rode the Rainford course last night, did it once before and most of it as the 25 course.

Did a 22:06 and finished 4th from 29 starters. 306w, was a strong wind one direction last night, so 50kmph+! I felt OK, had a long ride Sunday and didn’t feel super fresh, started off well, 314w and second half 298w into the wind at the end (didn’t pedal one roundabout as I caught a rider).
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Went out tonight and bagged a 21:51, had to slow to 9kmph for the first roundabout and really thumped a pothole coming onto the second, probably robbed me of 10 seconds I think. Still only good enough for 10th, loads of people riding sub 22, the wind dropped off and cooler than it has been.

Power was a few watts higher, felt like I could breathe a bit easier with the longer stem but was pushing myself back on the saddle a bit at times, maybe angle the bars up a touch or raise the stem a few mm. I’ll ride it again Thursday work dependant before I change anything.
 
My aero gains really working well.... Exact same time as last year on Saturday on a lumpy course even with 10w or so more power, may have been the 40mph gusting winds causing that....

Out of interest how do people approach comfort on the TT bike, I'm pretty comfortable and confident now i've resolved some fitting issues I had earlioer in the year.

I am planning to lower my front end down over the winter, in the past I've had it lower but struggled with hip flexor area issues and caused loss of power due to the discomfort over longer distances. I'm already pretty narrow, so no real change to be made there, but may look for some more supportive pads.

Current position although this was just coming over the top of a steep climb.

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SoliD said:
Out of interest how do people approach comfort on the TT bike, I'm pretty comfortable and confident now i've resolved some fitting issues I had earlioer in the year.
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Back in the day when I had a TT bike (was Retul fitted), it was lovley and comfortable on smooth road. As soon as the road gets a bit patchy, even the slightest bump became very jaring.
 
Do I need to slam that stem?

7th from 40 last night, power about the same (not downloaded yet), everyone went about 20-30 seconds slower as there was a harsh wind that was really gusty, took just as much power to keep hold of the bike at some points!

I need to bring my head down without squashing my lungs too much. I changed to a 110mm stem from a 100 and angled the bars up a tiny bit.

https://flic.kr/p/MxXgK9
 
Definitely need to get your back lower and possibly push your elbows slightly forward to enable this and keep your body in a position where it can still operate.
 
It's probably not so much your stack height that is making your head ride as if you're sat upright. It'll probably be easier if you moved your armpads a fair way forward which should stretch you out and bring your head down and forward. That plus reaching with your chin as if you're trying to get it to touch your hands, and shrugging your shoulders up should all mean your head comes a long way down. Looks like you could save a significant amount based on your current position.
 
I can’t move the arm pads forward/backwards as I just have cheap clip ons with handmade elbow pads made out of stainless after the alloy ones cracked. Maybe next year I’ll go all carbon.

I went 5mm lower on the stem, and made the aero bars 5mm further forward and angled up a touch after a quick test ride. I could probably adjust more but didn’t have the time for messing about.

Yet to download the data, but I took 27 seconds off my course PB tonight, Garmin showed 308NP which is within a couple of watts & I did have good luck with traffic but big difference.
 
Thomas. PLease. said:
Could just go with a longer stem?
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Pro style....!

Downloaded and within 2w of my previous best time, which only had one roundabout I had to slow down for costing me 3-5 seconds max.

Looks like it is a genuine gain as I’ve been riding in the 21:50-22:10 range for a while at 300-310w, so to take a big chunk of time off like that must be attributed to the position not just a one off.
 
Regarding my stem situation, I have ordered Oval Concepts 760 aero which I could only source from Germany but it should be here any day now. It is specifically for the Fuji Norcom Straight but it will work on my frame I reckon. So will get me from 85mm to 110mm and with the WattShop arm rests I can drill them to where I need them and finally/hopefully get a position I need on the bike.

Here is the stem, see how the rear of clamp to steerer is as minimal as can be so it will fit in and sit flush with top tube on my frame too - https://www.tririg.com/articles/201...50/2013_09_Fuji_Norcom_Straight_Review_19.jpg
 
Can't you just adjust the position of the arm rests and extensions to get the reach right? Changing the stem will effect handling (on the tops, not the aero position though)
 
touch said:
Can't you just adjust the position of the arm rests and extensions to get the reach right? Changing the stem will effect handling (on the tops, not the aero position though)
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I have Aerocoach arm rests which are massive and they are as far forward as can go and also the extensions are on their limit of how far forward they can go also :( To stretch out at front stem is the only option now. Going from 85 to 110 seems a lot but with 110 at least I can have adjustment room both ways on extensions and the arm rests so in theory I may only end up 5/10mm actually further forward but will have plenty of play room.
 
85mm is a really short stem too, so surely will handle far better with a more normal sized stem.

Looking better Berger, that helmet is still far too high to be optimal though. My position could still be improved and these photos are from last year and so out of date, but probably worth looking at for reference, see how the top of the helmet is more in line with my back, despite the angle of our back's probably being similar.

IMG_20170805_135355-1024x768.jpg


IMG_20170807_112057_486-1-1024x866.jpg
 
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Above post made me realise I've basically completely rebuilt my bike since last year! New wheelset, new brakes, new chainring, OPSW, ceramic BB, new bars, new extensions. I think only the frame, cranks and seatpost/seat are the same :o
 
Cheaper than a crack addiction..... maybe....

I’d like carbon bars to reduce vibration and I’d like to try a rear disc but too $$$ to fork out for one myself, plus I ride to/from the TT

I know what I’m aiming for, just taking the baby steps! Have to run the geo calc Jonny linked to in the other thread and see what’s what!

Looking at it, to get any meaningful difference I’ll have to go to a -17 stem, I have a 110mm -6 at the minute but any differences are quite small if I just raise/lower the stem or change length but not angle, if I change to a -17 then with the adjustment in the steerer I’ll have much more range of movement if I continue to lower the front end also.
 
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