TT niggles

[Andrew G]

Having just started using a TT bike after 3 rides (one 10, two 25s) I've had a sore muscle above my knee. This leads to some comedy walking in the HQ. Still a little bit sore today but spinning low gears commuting today to hopefully help so I can do CP tomorrow.

I'm putting it down to adapting to the new/different position. I think the set up I've got is okay as I spent a while tweaking it and it is fine for "normal" riding and was okay on the 10, just the added time of a 25 at a race effort. I've only done 6 above 10 TTs so far (last year plus this season so far) but have plenty of 25s and above booked in for this year, so I'm not exactly an old hand at them anyway.

Does it take a while to adapt?
Roughly how long? (I'm aware this could be "a piece of string")
Are there any recommended types of stretching exercise that would help loosen up the muscles for a TT bike? (Hamstring stretches spring to mind).

Thanks,

Andrew.

[Ivor]

Do you think you need to lower your seat slightly for your TT position? I've seen comments to that effect in a handful of sources.

[Dominic]

In truth Andrew I'm not sure. Pain above the knee does tend to suggest something is wrong. Is your saddle height the same height as on your road bike? Then there is the consideration of shoes, pedals, cleat settings etc.

If it is any consolation it takes a while to get right. I am still fiddling with my saddle height (up in my case), speaking to Mr PVT yesterday he was mentioning that he had lowered his recently aswell.

Another consideration is to train on your TT bike. I used to do intervals on mine once a week last year and it does give a good idea if things are comfortable.

[Ivor]

Andrew:

FYI just saw this "pain tip list"...
TOO HIGH/FORWARD = pain on the back of the knee
TOO LOW/REARWARD = pain on the front/top of the knee
CLEAT ROTATION/FLOAT = pain on the inside/outside of knee

[Andrew G]

Ta, couple of things to look at then as possibles.

Compared to road bike the saddle is a touch higher (about 1 - 1.5 cm) but then it is a bit further forward a well to compensate and the front of the saddle (where I ride more on a TT) to BB vertical drop is similar to my road bike - can't remember to be honest but maybe a touch shorter drop than my road bike. Pedals and shoes are the same.

I don't want to change too much at once or I'll end up going down the chasing/creating a problem route. I'll try and get out on the bike outside of TTs a bit and probably leave it more or less the same for the next one or two (a couple of 25s, one a SPOCO but a roller rather than a hilly) and see if it leans towards apatation. After that if it persists then start playing about .
Unfortunately the pics from Sunday don't show a pedal down shot, this looks to be closest.
[img]http://www.pjwphotos.co.uk/WebSite/200408/slides/ND045392.JPG[/img]
With this as a side on, but has the pedals at 3 and 9 so don't know if it helps with a critical analysis . (Bike looks nice though ).
[img]http://www.pjwphotos.co.uk/WebSite/200408/slides/ND045447.JPG[/img]

[size=85]
Pics: copyright PJ Wright at [url]http://www.pjwphotos.co.uk/[/url][/size]

[Ivor]

[quote="Andrew G"]Bike looks nice though

[quote="orv"][quote="Andrew G"]Bike looks nice though

[quote="Snoop Doug"][quote="orv"][quote="Andrew G"]Bike looks nice though

[Stu Merckx Man]

how much faster would a disc wheel, or a wheel cover make you over a mile, than a normal, NON deep rimmed wheel?

[carl f]

Nice bike andrew

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Someone's nicked his spokes

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

My saddle was really comfortable riding the last few TT's and then after riding my road bike I felt that the saddle should be a bit higher and put it up by 4mm, but it was excruciatingly uncomfortable, like sitting on a razor blade at the end of the 25.

No knee trouble though - I wasn't going fast enough