re: dbrk, E. Merckx & Long top tubes: Bikefanclub.com

dbrk,

Quote: "In addition, I think Andy doesn't ride a top tube this long anymore: Eddy was waaaay into long top tubes."

Can you share more discussion on this? Do you know what top tube Hampsten is riding these days vice the old days and why he changed? I can guess at your own thoughts on fore-aft & saddle to bar positioning but would appreciate you waxing on more about this.

I opted for a long top tube and after being off the bike for a while it felt way too long. After I got back on in the late spring and committed myself to riding back into shape my position felt better, though the physical suffering was unbearable at times. When I was recently refitted I readjusted to a more upright position. This immediately improved my comfort in long rides.

Strangely, as I improved my fitness, I felt I reached a point where I couldn't go as hard because my upper body felt like a hood scoop. I re-lowered my position and felt much more efficient in a head wind. Although, now that winter is upon us, I probably will not validate this position over a 100km distance. My guess is that discplined riders who remain in decent shape throughout the year do not have such problems but for those older or who have less time to ride are continually vexed by fore-aft and vertical positioning issues.

My personal solution is to use a Look ergo stem that allows me to adjust my position based on how limber my back and arms feel throughout the year. This may indicate that I'm either off (1 to 1.5cm on the tt) or more likely reflects that my body doesn't conform to any 'absolute' tt length due to age, fitness level & relative muscle strength. Another solution was our somewhat similar approaches to the front-end design of our Parlees.

I also found that returning to the gym has helped and I was even open-minded enough to try some yoga. The stretching was great. Anyway.....

Richard

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