Position on the bike

[CPP]

No, this is not about what setback or HT angle I should have!
Here are some photos of what, I feel, are examples of visually awesome positions on a road bike.

[justinf]

Those guys look uncomfortable.

[CPP]

Bro, you know how I love to suffer!!!

[false_Aest]

I guess I'm still in the dark about this.

What is a good position? And who are you speaking to?

What does it matter if these are good positions if you're fat, old and slow?

And what about someone like me? Young. Skinny. Kind've fast?

Should I be looking at myself in the mirror while on the trainer trying to push my ass further back and my stem lower and lower?

[CPP]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

[spacemen3]

I wish I looked like Francesco Moser on a bike. :)

http://www.mosercycles.com/2010_images/001bd9d9.jpg

[CPP]

This one also

[StellaBlue]

I play mens league Hockey. I don't look like alex ovechkin on skates. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

[timto]

http://www.arizonalightning.com/images/bernardSH.jpg

And no that's not how I look on a bike. But he looks good despite how I look!

[Pegoready]

Steps to getting a good position on the bike:

1) Go on a diet of espresso and altoids for several months.
2) Lose the helmet
3) Shine up legs with embrocation
....
4) Profit

[Ti Designs]

What does it matter if these are good positions if you're fat, old and slow?

How 'bout two out of three?

[BillG]

http://corpusfixie.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/major-taylor-11.jpg

[nahtnoj]

Is Vandenbrouke even on the saddle in that pic? He looks like he would hyper-extend his knee on the downstroke.

[nahtnoj]

To answer my own question, doubtful, but here is another pic of him and it is awesome.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/vandenbroucke-to-publish-blood-values-online/86249

[davidlee]

VDB was all legs and arms. His femurs are soo long.. Mucho power.
RIP

[FlashUNC]

Those Mapei kits might just be my favorite all time.

[Wilkinson4]

I always thought Smilin George Mount looked great on a bike. Can't find pictures. And Fignon, I wish I could look that cool.

mIKE

[d_man16]

http://corpusfixie.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/major-taylor-11.jpg
is that a shaft drivetrain on Taylor's bike?....I read his bio as a kid, I think that the thing weighed something like 16 lbs....

[130R]

http://blog.waim.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/mark-cavendish-champs-elysees-2010-640x400.jpg

[CPP]

more

[Ray]

more
You would not see a picture like the one of Pineapple Bob (left one, on the Bridgestone) in one of Grant's catalogs today! Not even close. And it looks like the text is raving about his form! (although I can't read it clearly enough to be sure)

I guess it makes sense - Grant has always built bikes for guys like him. He used to be a racer and he made racing bikes. Now he's an old guy who's happy to take it easy and put the bike to more versatile uses and he makes bikes for that.

-Ray

[CPP]

Ok, here is an OLD GUY with a good position!

[weisan]

I was told any of these chaps looked good on their bikes...even if some of their track records were less than stellar.

Franck Vandenbroucke, Michele Bartoli, Laurent Jalabert, Michael Boogerd, Andrei Tchmil, Francesco Casagrande, Andrea Tafi, Johan Museeuw...

This is Bartoli.
http://cdn1.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2009/10/08/1/pic7252510web_600.jpg

[jvp]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2654/151/1/1288713517/n1288713517_30109792_5125830.jpg

[FlashUNC]

This is one my favorite photos for that "agony in the Classics" position.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6xWYtmz47PE/S7eb1XU-ebI/AAAAAAAAAIo/4f_HQQNDtvs/s1600/devolder-wins.jpg

[CPP]

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

Bartoli = "The Competitive Fit"
Eddy = guess
The Old Guy = "French Fit"

[jvp]

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcje4bXaN61qbxnpgo1_500.jpg

http://www.bigringriding.com/photo/1280/1227073614/1/tumblr_l9kkzbIeIk1qbxnpg
On the rivet!

[RPS]

http://www.bigringriding.com/photo/1280/1227073614/1/tumblr_l9kkzbIeIk1qbxnpg
On the rivet!
Look at the lowest gear on that bike. Must be something like a 48/21. :rolleyes:

[tv_vt]

More like 48/17. Straight block 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 maybe. (Not too many 12t cogs in those days. But for TT, maybe 12-16 straight block?)

[maxdog]

is that a shaft drivetrain on Taylor's bike?....I read his bio as a kid, I think that the thing weighed something like 16 lbs....

Yeah, and very cool it is.

[stephenmarklay]

Kind of a funny question but interesting. I started racing last year and position is an important detail. Guys will spend big money on wheels but cut the wind like an elephant.

I have taken to doing all of my indoor riding in positions as above. I even do a weekly intensity ride (insert video) inside in this position with my front wheel elevated like a mild climb.

Last year I rode a lot of endurance in the winter with my hands on the tops so we will see if it translates into better performance.

Funny thing is that when I started the longer stuff made my back tired (expected I guess) and now it feels funny riding on the tops. I ride a lowish stem height and longer TT also.

[CPP]

Here are some of the best positions on the bike for racers