The Cycling Thread

Maviczap, maybe you could tell me this - in TT photos, why do the riders always seem to be at the front of their saddles, and they always seem to have the saddle lower? It looks like the leg is still quite bent at bottom of the pedal stroke. I know you're not there in either of those photos but couple of others I've seen look like theyre perched right forward?

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by robchester

Maviczap, maybe you could tell me this - in TT photos, why do the riders always seem to be at the front of their saddles, and they always seem to have the saddle lower? It looks like the leg is still quite bent at bottom of the pedal stroke. I know you're not there in either of those photos but couple of others I've seen look like theyre perched right forward?

Rob, I always had my saddle set at the same height on my road & TT lo pro, as having different saddle heights could give you back problems.

Well that was the thinking, but I learnt recently that a TT bike should have the saddle set lower & further back? Probably something to do with using the big muscles in your behind to push a bigger gear and its better for a flat back and aero dynamics.

I found that in short distance TT's I would creep forward on the saddle as I got over the gear, probrably because I ride with a higher cadence and I can't roll out a big gear.

My saddle height was set using the 0.885 x my inside leg in cm. Which I've always found to be a comfortable height. I'm not helped by having one leg shorter than the other.

I've never ridden with a straight leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke, it think you should always have some bend in the leg or you'll hurt your knees & ligaments.

Originally Posted by robchester

. I know you're not there in either of those photos ?

It is me

Originally Posted by maviczap

Rob, I always had my saddle set at the same height on my road & TT lo pro, as having different saddle heights could give you back problems.

Well that was the thinking, but I learnt recently that a TT bike should have the saddle set lower & further back? Probably something to do with using the big muscles in your behind to push a bigger gear and its better for a flat back and aero dynamics.

I found that in short distance TT's I would creep forward on the saddle as I got over the gear, probrably because I ride with a higher cadence and I can't roll out a big gear.

My saddle height was set using the 0.885 x my inside leg in cm. Which I've always found to be a comfortable height. I'm not helped by having one leg shorter than the other.

I've never ridden with a straight leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke, it think you should always have some bend in the leg or you'll hurt your knees & ligaments.



It is me

I meant the pedal stroke I'll have to try that calculation to see how accurate I am to my stroke. I need the ice to clear before I'll head out again

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by robchester

I meant the pedal stroke I'll have to try that calculation to see how accurate I am to my stroke. I need the ice to clear before I'll head out again

Ah, I see Rob. No, I don't straighten my leg.

When you do the calculation the seat height is measured from the centre of the crank, not from the pedal

So mine is always 75.5cm

just watchin question of sport .. Hugh Dennis the comedian on.. they say he finished the Tour de France once ??

[maviczap]

Just one stage of the Tour Quiff, the Etape du Tour, its usually run the day before the race runs through the stage. But its a feckin hard event, my mate has done 3 and spends 6 months training for it.

Its well organised, closed roads, food stops and transport for you if you give up.

Here's the article about Hugh's preparation

http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2007/0...our_(de_france)

aha - ta .. interesting

Went for a ride today did about 20 miles, did a few laps around Richmond Park which was busy.

I got about 2 hours out, came home when it started to get colder, I got cold feet! I have managed to get myself quite a nasty cold, which isn't helping my breathing how do you all manage that?

Off swiming in a few minutes, hopefully the steam room will be working I thought it was fault it was closed after having a nose bleed was quite a bit of blood! Turns out it was just broken, phew not my fault.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by metalmonkey

I got about 2 hours out, came home when it started to get colder, I got cold feet! I have managed to get myself quite a nasty cold, which isn't helping my breathing how do you all manage that?.

Have you got some windproof shoe covers, that can help stop getting cold feet. Even a plastic bag over your toes can help, as its mostley your toes getting cold.

Neoprene or windproof covers are the best, but even I get cold feet in these.

Make sure your shoes (or straps) aren't too tight.

My golden rule is not to cycle with a cold, unless I feel well enough

If you feel its above the neck, then you should be fine, but I read somewhere that if its in the neck or below then you should not exercise until its gone. Something to do with with the virus getting into the heart muscles. Could be bunkum, but I can't see the point of trying to exercise if you're that i'll, you do more harm than good

I feel okay just bunged up some of time more than anything, fever and headaches are long gone. But I'm a little concered about the regular nose bleeds, its never happened before. I'm to the doctor, hopefully they will be a bit more insightful than the last one I saw.

Yeah its the end of toes that were cold, just need covers I think. I need to expand my cycling gear I don't have much of it, but its not cheap for anything that is useful.