As I spend more time on the bike, I know that I want to make some changes.
1) Install the clip on Aero Bars (shims will arrive within the week I hope)
2) If I have aero bars. I'm really going to want a new saddle. The Adamo at the bottom of that page really interests me. It may be the answer for Shawn as well.
3) Fit. Maija has a bike tech she has used and was happy with.
So if I make all these changes, am I just asking for trouble?
Or is it going to be a huge help and I'll be glad that I did it?
My overall lack of bike knowledge is making me think I should just leave it alone until after the Morgantown race. They try to get all that stuff done before my NH vacation. I'll have plenty of time to practice on the Mooseman course then.
Opinions welcome.
4 comments:
Sure, I have comments. First, it has been my experience after many years riding bikes that every seat is uncomfortable at the beginning, and the more you ride them, the better they get. If they get worse the more you ride them, then you definitely have a bad one. Remember on the BMX bikes, we had those hard plastic seats? It was like sitting on a rock at the beginning, but we got used to it. I feel like I tend to get used to every seat I use. Now, that being said, I have never had enough money to buy up seats and try them for extended periods of time, and even when I do buy them, I tend to get cheaper ones, because spending 100 bucks on a seat is hard to justify for me. The one you chose in that link does interest me, because it looks like an idea I had mentioned earlier that seemed like a good idea, but I don't think I care enough to replace mine now. I am getting pretty comfortable now, figuring out how to arrange all my anatomical protuberances on my existing seat, which does have a cut-out in the middle. It is certainly not perfect, but I rode for two-hours and 20 minutes yesterday at full speed and it was fine. I think I will toss another compliment to the aeros here, as they do take a bit of weight off the saddle, though you are obviously tending to crush the "soft tissue" when you lean forward that far.
So what am I saying? I don't know. I don't think it's too late for you to try a new seat, but your old one obviously got the job done, helping you turn in a pretty respectable time for a new guy. I'd say if you want to try one, go for it. If you get one of those Adamos, I would love to check it out. But keep in mind, as that reviewer said, there is probably a reason every professional biker uses a traditionally shaped seat.
Seat - I had more problems with the new bike then I have ever had with a seat. My rear hurt. I even thought a couple rides I was going to have to stop. I didn't. I did adjust the seat three times. First time it felt fine until I got in the aero position. Second time I tilted the front too much, which caused some discomfort. Then I moved it a little forward and tilt down. I seem to have found a spot. Of course I am use to the whole seat more.
I read, and could have been on this blog, I am losing track of where these tidbits come from, that they did a study that people who trained with aero bars went faster during race conditions. The test had everyone use aero bars during the race conditions, but only half the people normally trained with them. The ones training with aero bars were measurably faster. It may have been an actual race, I can't remember, so take it for what it is worth.
The only thing the study didn't address was how much training did each group do. Maybe the aero people were more committed.
I guess I wouldn't hook the bars up on Monday before the race and expect to go faster, but 31 to 20 days you should have a little time for adjustment. The trainer I think would allow you to even get the feel faster if your seat was going to work. You could even video tape a ride to check out your form. Out on the road only the pain in the butt is letting you know.
I was looking at the seat adjustment document for that saddle. The final adjustment was to move the saddle position so that it would point more left or right. They said that adjustment could only be done by feel. Which makes sense.
http://www.ismseat.com/
pdf/adamo_setup.pdf
Paste those 2 lines together to see that document.
As long as you get comfortable riding with the aero bars, seat, and new fit soon (not one week before the race) it should be fine. Just make sure you do several rides in the aero bars outside before the race as it can be more difficult to handle your bike while in them.
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