General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Climbing issue on TT bike Rss Feed  
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2010-03-02 2:44 PM

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Subject: Climbing issue on TT bike

Finally got my first TT bike and am super excited.  I’ve been fit and am ready to go….except  my knees brush/hit the aero bars when I’m out of the saddle climbing.  Is this normal?  Should I go back to the fitter?  I know you aren’t supposed to get out of the saddle often on a TT bike, but it seems odd that I have to change my pedal stroke when I climb to avoid hitting the aero bars.  Thanks in advance.



2010-03-02 2:46 PM
in reply to: #2702901

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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
Happens to me too on my road bike when I've got the bars on.  Eager to hear what some of the experts say.  Anybody?
2010-03-02 2:48 PM
in reply to: #2702901

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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
It's not so much your pedal stroke as your body posistion.  Basically, your legs are coming up and hitting your aerobar ends, correct?  If you are fit correctly - let's assume you are - it means that your body position is up when seated.  When you stand to climb, which I agree that you should do on a limited basis, you need to get your butt back some, so your body position moves rear.  This is a good thing becasue you don;t want to be standing to far over the top of your bike.  It's not all that stable. 
2010-03-02 2:55 PM
in reply to: #2702901

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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike

Thanks for the advice.  And I agree it  seems to be about my positioning.  I have been trying to keep my butt back, which solves the problem--it just doesn’t feel natural.  Perhaps with time it will become second nature.

2010-03-02 3:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
jlefko1824 - 2010-03-02 2:44 PM

Finally got my first TT bike and am super excited.  I’ve been fit and am ready to go….except  my knees brush/hit the aero bars when I’m out of the saddle climbing.  Is this normal?  Should I go back to the fitter?  I know you aren’t supposed to get out of the saddle often on a TT bike, but it seems odd that I have to change my pedal stroke when I climb to avoid hitting the aero bars.  Thanks in advance.



What, are you built like T-Rex or something?  JK!!!...  I had to work on keeping my butt back too, although I never quite hit my bars.  Good luck and congrats on the Tri/TT bike!  Where is the porn (pics)???
2010-03-03 8:02 PM
in reply to: #2702901

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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
I have no advice but if you just got the new bike where are the pics, share with those less fortunate and still hunting for their own.


2010-03-03 9:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
I have the same problem with my bike, but that is the way it fits and it seems to work quite well aerodynamically for me. In fact, my knees are so close to my elbows in aero that they sometimes brush, however, I am still quite low and stretched out. As for the climbing issue, I've simply had to adjust to moving my butt back over the seat when I stand to climb, which, of course, isn't near as powerful or efficient, but it does serve as motivation to stay in the saddle when climbing (which isn't a problem on most tri courses).
2010-03-03 9:16 PM
in reply to: #2702901

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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike

How can your knees hit the aerobars? Sorry, I am confused. However it is happenning it seems like a fit issue. Also, when seated, the knees shouldnt hit the arms or elbows when pedaling, though ideally they should be close to doing so. That is also a fit issue.

2010-03-03 9:54 PM
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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
kdlsch111 - 2010-03-03 9:16 PM

How can your knees hit the aerobars? Sorry, I am confused. However it is happenning it seems like a fit issue. Also, when seated, the knees shouldnt hit the arms or elbows when pedaling, though ideally they should be close to doing so. That is also a fit issue.



This happens even on pro-fitted TT bikes if you climb with all your weight forward. 

Fortunately, you just need to scoot back a bit and problem will be solved. I had a local pro demonstrate this to me in the shop when I was fit for my Cervelo. 
2010-03-03 10:55 PM
in reply to: #2702901

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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike

It is a bit of a problem on tri bikes. 

If you find it to be a real problem, and the workaround suggested here don't work for you, then the fix is simply to get a longer stem and shorter aerobars.
2010-03-03 11:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
assuming you are fit well, simply move back a bit when climbing.


2010-03-04 1:02 AM
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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
You already paid the fitter, so why not go back to discuss this issue? You should expect to have access to the fitter for discussions at least (many fitters will also do a follow-up fitting to adjust any problem areas within reasonable time after the initial fitting for free).

If you have very long femurs, you may actually not be able to be fitted in a good aerodynamic position and still be able to climb without some knee interference, due to a steep set up. You may want to discuss this with your fitter... and then you jointly need to discuss what is most important to you, climbing (if you live in a very hilly area) or aerodynamics (if you are racing in flat area).

You may have to be fitted in a much slacker position for you to be able to climb, but then the frame might be all wrong for you. Did you get fitted before you bought the bike, or after?
2010-03-04 7:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
bostonredsox - 2010-03-03 8:02 PM I have no advice but if you just got the new bike where are the pics, share with those less fortunate and still hunting for their own.


X2  Since I'm still saving $ for my own the least you can do is let us see yours!!
2010-03-04 7:43 AM
in reply to: #2702901

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Athens, GA
Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
I had a pro fit done on my Tri bike, and I have the exact same issue. I have a shorter torso and longer legs, so it wasn't easy to get the fit perfect. I just do what others suggest, and lean back a little for climbing. But I'm hardly ever out of the saddle anyway unless it's more than around a 4-5% grade. Then, I'm just too tired to care.  :P
2010-03-07 11:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Climbing issue on TT bike
kdlsch111 - 2010-03-03 9:16 PM

How can your knees hit the aerobars? Sorry, I am confused. However it is happenning it seems like a fit issue. Also, when seated, the knees shouldnt hit the arms or elbows when pedaling, though ideally they should be close to doing so. That is also a fit issue.



My guess is long femur (My legs and torso are even pretty evenly matched)

There's a picture of what this looks like here if you go to the 5th row down on the right hand side.
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/karma.shtml

I am curious though if a different geometry bike would fit me better, but I got a good deal (kuota k-factor) online and it's not worth it to me yet to find out.
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