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Forward Seatposts
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 2005-02-04 2:53 PM |
Master 1315   Shreveport, LA |  Subject: Forward SeatpostsI have a Raliegh road bike that I am using to train for my first triathlon. It has tiagra components. Clipless pedals. I wanted to know the importance of certain upgrades for a tri. I know that Aero/Tri bars are pretty much the best and most obvious upgrade, but is buying a forward seat post the next best upgrade and how beneficial is it? Thanks |
| 2005-02-04 3:03 PM in reply to: #112732 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290  The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts While forward seatpost are designed to change the seat tube angle to match that of a tri bike, they also has the (possibly detrimental) result of shortening the effective top tube length. If you have a bike that fits to start with, you may find it too short (handlebars to seat) when you add the forward seatpost. Splitting hairs a little bit, but a true tri-bike alters the seat tube angle NOT by moving the seat forward but by moving the bottom bracket back, thus retaining the same top tube length and fit. |
| 2005-02-04 3:06 PM in reply to: #112732 |
Elite 3498 Chicago | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts In addition, forward seat tube change the "center of gravity" on the bike, putting more of it on the front wheet and makes the bike handle much differently and potentially more dangerously when hitting bumps, breaking, etc. Something to consider.... |
| 2005-02-04 3:11 PM in reply to: #112732 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts If it screws up your fit, then it is not an upgrade. The aleged advantage of forward seatposts is that they create a de-facto steeper seat tube angle this alegedly allows for more use of the quads in the bike portion, thus "saving" the hamstrings for the run. The steep-vs-shallow seatpost angle debate goes on and on in tri/TT circles to this day. UCI has ruled on the ultimate steepness a seatpost is allowed to have for a time trial (as well as a host of other bicycle frame detail minutae). In converting a road bike to tri use, a forward seatpost is going to dramatically change the way the bike handles and may not be a great upgrade. It depends on you own body proportions and how your bike fits currently. Aerobars, wheels, and more work on the engine will be more productive places to spend time and money IMO |
| 2005-02-04 3:26 PM in reply to: #112752 |
Elite 3498 Chicago | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts Aerobars, wheels, and more work on the engine will be more productive places to spend time and money IMO Awesome advice! I 2nd that motion. Buy aerobars, pay for a coach or buy new a wheelset (in that order) for and "upgrade." |
| 2005-02-04 3:49 PM in reply to: #112765 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts Buy aerobars, pay for a coach or buy new a wheelset (in that order) Are you saying that we have to first "earn those wheels"? ;-) Edited by the bear 2005-02-04 3:49 PM |
| 2005-02-04 3:55 PM in reply to: #112780 |
Elite 3498 Chicago | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts the bear - 2005-02-04 2:49 PM Buy aerobars, pay for a coach or buy new a wheelset (in that order) Are you saying that we have to first "earn those wheels"? ;-) LOL! Actually I'm saying that you'll get more "bang" for your buck hiring a coach than you will being self-coached and buying wheels... Who ever said you had to earn wheels.....what a dumb concept... (joking, just joking Rich) |
| 2005-02-04 4:25 PM in reply to: #112732 |
| Elite Veteran 781 | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts My basic problem (I believe) is that I have a road bike too big for me. I put on aerobars but didn't use them because I felt too stretched out. I went back to the LBS and they agreed. They installed a forward seat post and my basic set-up is just fine. The problem now is that I think I have way too much weight on the front wheel when I drop down into an aero position. So, FWIW, think hard before making the change. |
| 2005-02-04 4:28 PM in reply to: #112793 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts Yeah, it's always better to buy a bike that fits rather than force a bike to fit. |
| 2005-02-05 9:46 AM in reply to: #112732 |
| Member 24 | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts I'm kind of in the same boat. I have a road bike that fits, but was considering the value of aerobars and a forward seatpost. I haven't tried bars at all, and don't know how they will fit without coming forward somewhat with my seat. I was thinking that instead of a new seatpost, I could try to find a happy medium by adjusting my seat farther foward and possibly getting a longer seat. I just don't know how effective it will be. I also was under the impression that adding aerobars should only be done in combination with adding forward seatpost. Is it reasonable to ride a road bike with aerobars and a normal seatpost? Should I consider riding my first few tri's without aerobars? Edited by RandoMBU 2005-02-05 9:47 AM |
| 2005-02-05 11:04 AM in reply to: #113008 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts I also was under the impression that adding aerobars should only be done in combination with adding forward seatpost. Is it reasonable to ride a road bike with aerobars and a normal seatpost? Yes, it's reasonable, as a matter of fact, that's where I'd start. If you feel too stretched out on the aerobars, THEN try the forward seatpost. Should I consider riding my first few tri's without aerobars? Depends on where you are in your riding. Many are OK riding/racing in the drops, even on top the handlebars, or in an upright position on a MTB for that matter. I'm of the opinion that, after clipless pedals/shoes, aerobars are the most "bang for the buck" in improving your efficiency. |
| 2005-02-05 2:53 PM in reply to: #112732 |
Member 81 Blenheim, Ontario | Subject: RE: Forward Seatposts what lenght of stem do you have on your bike? I know I had this problem in the past as I needed a large frame because I have long legs but I felt way to stretched out so my bike mech and I decided to go with a shorter stem which keeps your center of gravity where it is brings your arms back into a more comfortable position and your not stretched out and this also eliminates the to much weight on the front wheel .. a cheap way to fix a not so cheap problem, Colin |
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