Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Haven't been here in a while. Having some positioning issues and thought the bunch here would be a good source of info/advice, please.
I've noticed as I approach and climb over the 40 year old mark, that my saddle position has been changing yearly. What works one year is not the strongest position the next. This is a big change from my late 20's and early 30's where once I found the right position I basically superglued it in place.
Last year I wound up dropping my saddle and moving it rearward, which gave me lots more power. (note please I'm coming from a long, long career as a forward riding triathlete but I've switched over to roadie type riding). This year, I think I need another mod, because my hip flexors are wearing out way before any of the large muscle groups do. WAY before. When climbing a hill, the area just inside of the hips and down into the femurs - they start hurting first, and when they give out, I'm done.
I don't know exactly what to do about this, but suspect that moving the saddle rearward might be a good first step. As it is, most folks would say I ride a bit forward - the nose of hte saddle is only about 1cm back from the bb. Should I perhaps lower it, or both? I'm unsure. Any other things to suspect? Weight training?
I'm getting dropped this year where I should not be getting dropped. Thanks in advance.
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 322
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Quote:
Schwingding wrote:
Any other things to suspect?
This sounds like something that would be near impossible to diagnose over a forum.
Anyhow, I'll throw out some food for thought:
New shorts with seams in a new place?
Saddle worn out?
Gain/lose significant weight?
Change your shoes/cleats/pedals?
Change your bottom bracket spindle length?
Change the crank length or Q factor?
Since you have a tri background, any running injuries?
Long term wear from running?
Onset of arthritis?
Damage to sciatic nerve?
Other musculoskeletal injuries that may have altered your biomechanics?
Tri folks tend to mash rather than spin. This is usually harder on the knees, but hey, hips are in there working too.
Combination of any of the above?
I understand you think your muscles are giving out first, but I would believe those strengthen over time and use (unless injured). So I'm sorta working on the premise that the problem is elsewhere and manifesting itself as muscle fatigue.
Start keeping a diary of your modifications and take very accurate measurments of the new positions. Make changes systematically and remember that you may not notice anything for quite a while.
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Welcome back...it has been a long time.
I really believe yanking up, pushng back, pushing forward etc. is going to just get you confused, frustrated and sore. It is just way too hard to do because you can't step back and observe and you really need someone who knows the biomechanics of it all.
What you really need is a top notch fitter/coach and a full evaluation. Whatever it costs and no doubt it wouldn't be as much or more than some new carbon toy for the bike you will get an answer and a postion to stay in and ride. When you keep switching it is very hard on the body.
I'm not sure where you live but get on Google and start looking. UPMC at Pittsburgh just spent 3 million on a full lab for cycling evaluation. Marty N. was the first client and he doesn't live here. The chief fitter there does a purely visual version for a lot less and I'd start with someone like that.
Good luck. Personally shooting in the dark, guessing and asking people on a forum isn't going to work. The best money I ever spent to improve my cycling wasn't parts, frames or clothes it was fitting and coaching.
Have a nice and hopefully dry weekend. 
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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I wish to weigh in on the benefits and wise remarks to go to a profesional fitter. Someone looking at you can see what you can't see yourself. I'm over 50 and my fitting ended up being the measurements for a custom bicycle.
Some things I don't have now: I used to have neck and upper back pain after a long ride, don't now, and I ride longer rides. My knees are problem areas and I had to be careful to stay centered or one knee or the other would ache after a long ride. Now I can put very long rides in without knee pain.
From what little I understand about riding physiology you should not weaken as you age if you maintain your physical effort level. With that in mind, other factors that may not be obvious or intuitive could be at play here. For these reasons a good bike fitter can see your position and get you set up correctly considering your core strength, your flexibility and any joint conditions you may have.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Hey Mike, good to see you here again!
I'll fourth the recommendation for professional advice, both for fitting and physiological advice. I'm over 60 now, have been fitted several times in the past, the last for a custom bike, and now at least touch bases with my fitter once a year at the start.
Keep us informed of how things are going for you, bikewise, and the progress you will be making 
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Schwingding
new member
Reged: 06/09/04
Posts: 22
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Thanks guys. All good things to consider. No equipment changes over the past year, and haven't run in about a year either. I'm done with running, it has ceased to be good to me. Shoes, cleats, saddle, etc.. all in good condition, no changes in clothing either. All season so far I have been scooching back on the saddle, almost as far as to get a real skid mark! That is the reason for my intuition about a saddle adjustment, plus past experience.
Last evening I moved the saddle rearward 1.5cm. I was immediately rewarded with what seemed like brand new legs. I put a lot of pain into my riding buddies' last night, and everything started to feel natural again. I'm sure you know that feeling when everything just works? I haven't had that this year till yesterday.
I think I'll keep that position for a few weeks to see if it indeed is an improvement or just a quirk, then probably move it back a bit again in search of an optimal position.
I've been through a bunch of custom fitters, including the very well respected guy who measured me for my Tetra Custom. The one thing that riders always comment on is that they think I ride too far forward. I guess we'll see. I didn't choose rec.bicycles.racing for my question, nor a tri forum because I know you guys are very particular about these things.
BTW, 2006 is my next bike purchase. The plan at present is for a custom D'Fly. I'm already excited! Thanks again.
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