If it’s a situation where on the day you go lower or narrower than you have done before, then you’re playing with fire because you don’t know how you’re going to respond – especially going onto a run.Chris Newman of The Triathlon Shop explains how the bike fit encompasses every element of triathlon“For Ironman, you definitely err on the safe side of caution because for the majority of athletes out there, an Ironman is an incredibly long event. Orbea Ordu M20 $2,899 1 of 11. For adult bikes, the size of the bike is determined by the size of the frame.
Bottom: The final position moves Kevin forward to avoid stretching and enable the skeleton to support the upper body“Setting up an aerodynamic position is a little bit like balancing a set of scales,” says Chris. Road race bikes; Enduro mountain bikes; Endurance road bikes; TT and Tri bikes; CX bikes; Gravel bikes; Target: all the bikes. He is a freelance author and his articles are regularly featured in a variety of magazines and websites.Women generally have shorter torsos and may need a relatively shorter top tube. This is where “woman-specific” designs come in. These bicycles may be appropriate for certain men with shorter upper bodies or riders who prefer a more upright position. Top tube length can be adjusted to an effective length using different size stems but this can affect handling. It is important to be in the correct frame for your body type and the type of riding you will be doing. Manufacturers size their frames to accommodate the normal proportions of reach to leg length. If you are outside of these proportions, finding the correct frame or bicycle to fit you will be more difficult. Take your height and divide it by your inseam. If the value of this is more than 2.2, you will need a bicycle with a longer reach or top tube. If the value is less than 2.0, you have longer legs and will need a shorter reach or top tube. Generally speaking, bicycles with a steeper seat tube angle will have a longer effective top tube length.With today’s non-traditional frame geometries and frame types, stand-over height goes out the window. There is no frame sizing that is considered “standard” and each manufacturer may measure their frame size in a different way and from a different point. Some brands measure from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube or to the center of the top tube, while others measure to the top of the seat tube. Compact frames may use a “virtual top tube” and even this point of measurement may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some frames now come in just three sizes; small, medium, and large and rely heavily on componentry to correctly fit the rider. This sizing range is great for manufacturers as they only have to produce three frame sizes, but it does leave gaps in sizing and makes getting a good fit more technical and difficult.If you are buying a new bike, I recommend doing your own due diligence before purchasing it by checking the frame sizing on the manufacturer’s website. If you are on the cusp between two sizes, ride them both to determine which one feels better after each has been adjusted correctly. Realize that the shop may not have the correct frame size for you in stock and that they are in the business of selling bicycles. A reputable shop will not sell you the wrong size bicycle, however, I have run across athletes who spent a lot of money on a bicycle that was the wrong size.The net of all this is that the 51 cm bike you are riding now may be different from a 51 cm bike in another brand, and that it is important to define the sizing method used. Manufacturers generally post sizing guidelines on their websites, or at the very least geometry specifications. A good bike shop that carries multiple brands will look up the correct frame size for your inseam (sizing is based on inseam measurement) and not “eyeball” it.To determine your inseam measurement, stand with your back against a wall (bare foot) and place the spine of a one-inch thick book against your inner leg and snug against your crotch. Make sure the book is flat against the wall forming a 90 degree angle between the wall and top of the book, then measure from the top of the book to the floor. If you used inches, convert the inches to centimeters by multiplying the measurement by 2.54. For a road bike with a conventional frame, the frame size will equal approximately 2/3 of your inseam. Now take your inseam in centimeters and multiply it by 0.67 to determine your frame size in a traditional road frame. @2020 - All Right Reserved.
For kid's bikes, the sizes - which usually start at 10 inches - refer to the size of kid's bike. “The further forwards you go, the less power you’ll be able to output, but the more time and more effort you’ll save because your position is more aerodynamic.Chris, who is not only an authority on bike fitting, but also talented cyclist and GB age-group triathlete, starts by reminding us not all triathlon bike legs are created equal.If you’re buying a road bike, look closely at the geometry – it could be worth sizing down if you want it for racing with clip-ons.Fine adjustments are needed from cleat to saddle to get the fit just rightWith the team taking a selection of Felt’s finest over Ironman Austria’s 112-miles, Chris focused on the risk versus reward of getting aero for a long day on the bike.“Some people are going to go for a set-up that’s incredibly aerodynamic and as fast as possible, some people want something comfortable and efficient so that when they get to the run, they’re as fresh as they can be.”A full-on TT bike like the gorgeous Felt IA can be set-up for comfort as well as aerodynamics“You also need to take into account previous riding history and ‘body history’ as well as needs and requirements for triathlon.The Felt AR4’s reversible seat post allows a steep seat angle for triathlon“The first thing about triathlon is that it’s a very broad term. With sizing varying between the type of bike and even the model, we’ve compiled a handy guide for Specialized Bikes to help you get the correct size… Guides: Mens-Specialized Mens Mountain Bike Sizing Guide Over an Ironman, that’s obviously a huge issue. You’ll need a measuring device for your height and inseam. Time Trial (TT) and Triathlon bikes are designed for speed. Road bikes can come in both standard (S, M, L) sizes and numerical sizes. View QR triathlon bike size charts to see what size is best for you. Triathlon bike fitting is essential for any triathlete – the crucial combination of aerodynamics, comfort and power output that can mean the difference between finishing an Ironman strong or pulling out of the race.. The world's best bike, if the wrong size for you, won't make you a better rider. About 0-1 inches of clearance between the top tube and crotch (bare foot) was a decent way to determine if the bike was the correct size.
The aero-power-comfort trinity is changeable, and though an aggressively aero position is a risk, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work towards the most aero position you can. Add a bike.