Best tuck position

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winkybiker

Jun 30, 2012
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StyrbjornSterki said:
tumblr_n914oafzcI1qew9mvo3_400.jpg


If he could just press out into a handstand, when pro cycling is done with him, there might be a career for him in the circus.
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Is that Bauer? I think that's the dumbest descending position I've seen. Why is he so far forward? There must no weight on his back wheel at all. How would he cope with a bump in the road? It scares me.
 
42x16ss

42x16ss

May 23, 2009
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winkybiker said:
Is that Bauer? I think that's the dumbest descending position I've seen. Why is he so far forward? There must no weight on his back wheel at all. How would he cope with a bump in the road? It scares me.
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I guess that when your name is Jack Bauer you can do whatever the **** you want ;)
 
murali

murali

Nov 26, 2012
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what is the best position for sharper turns/switchbacks?

wht i hav seen mostly is ppl sitting up. i hav also seen the **** high in the air tuck (panzer and sagan).
 
yespatterns

yespatterns

Aug 15, 2012
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Honestly, i can't get down with the chest-on-bars positions, but thats probably my lack of confidence and comfort with it. I find the classic form (with forays into balls on the tube, chin on the bars, rarely) to be the best for me, but more power to the guys putting that much weight over the front wheel successfully.
 
hiero2

hiero2

Jul 10, 2010
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winkybiker said:
Of course.....but Why?!!
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Jspear said:
Maybe its nothing and this is a silly question, but I'll ask anyways. :)
What is that (yellow circle) in this photo.

bike.jpg
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I think inside the yellow circle are the latest development in training wheels.

As for why he is so far forward? Obviously, he is trying to get as low as possible - more compact profile allows faster descending. Also, you may notice his hand are on the outside of the bars, on the drops, where they traditionally are while riding. When you are sitting farther back, so that your shoulders are behind your hands, and hands on the drops, the arms tend to act like an airbrake. Which is why riders put hands on the center-top of the bars - to improve airflow. I will guess he has found this position to "feel fast" for him. Yet still have more ability to respond to steering impulses than with his hands tightly together on the tops of the bars. Another factor - with your hands on the tops of the bars, your body is going to be slightly higher overall - and Bauer may not like that position.

In this position, his head is breaking the air, with the hands and arms behind that, inside the airflow envelope.
 
hiero2

hiero2

Jul 10, 2010
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murali said:
what is the best position for sharper turns/switchbacks?

wht i hav seen mostly is ppl sitting up. i hav also seen the **** high in the air tuck (panzer and sagan).
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The traditional ****-on-saddle starting point. When turning, control and response is more important than aero. Any other position and your ability to respond to input from your bicycle is reduced.
 
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MonkeyFace

Nov 7, 2013
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Descending is about taking the correct line through a turn. All this stuff is silly in comparison. When Cancellara bombs a decent, he only goes deep into the drops and doesn't do any silly stuff and he is an incredible descender. I would say some of this might even be counter productive since you have to hold up your weight so you can't rest and you are giving up control. I don't think Salvadelli even descending with any of these silly positions. A descender only makes up time on people through the turns. A cat 5 rider can bomb a straight downhill as any pro.
 
hiero2

hiero2

Jul 10, 2010
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42x16ss said:
Interesting, Cadel is descending just like a MTB'er there.
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There are reasons for that - the hanging out over the back wheel leaves you with a bike that you can still handle should you run amiss with a rock or a pothole, yet is more aero than keeping your buttocks on the saddle. And it actually improves the dynamics of the bicycle in response to the road - as it puts the weight back more towards the rear, closer to the ratio when riding on a flat surface. Also improves your ability to apply braking forces, in a hurry, should the need arise. It is still higher than buttocks on the top tube, though, and the arms are still wide, not centered on the bars. Sooo - depending on WHICH descent you are doing - it may be preferable. It is, however, extremely hard on the abs. I used to find it a very difficult position to maintain - and I had very strong abs.
 
Granville57

Granville57

Dec 7, 2010
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hiero2 said:
I used to find it a very difficult position to maintain - and I had very strong abs.
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Even more so with a saddle bag, I would imagine. You'd have to be even further back to get clearance, and to allow yourself to remount.

No thank you.
 
K

karlboss

Mar 13, 2009
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MonkeyFace said:
Descending is about taking the correct line through a turn. All this stuff is silly in comparison. When Cancellara bombs a decent, he only goes deep into the drops and doesn't do any silly stuff and he is an incredible descender. I would say some of this might even be counter productive since you have to hold up your weight so you can't rest and you are giving up control. I don't think Salvadelli even descending with any of these silly positions. A descender only makes up time on people through the turns. A cat 5 rider can bomb a straight downhill as any pro.
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One study showed a 25% drag reduction in a wind tunnel at 56kph, the difference over a 5km 10% descent was calculated to be 30 seconds, position being the only consideration. Given that corners exist, cornering technique would either add or subtract from this number comparing one cyclist to another, but I'd rarely see an instance where on your own on a long straight it wasn't worth sitting, in one form or another, on the top tube. Who knows maybe getting in and out of the position for corners eats up all the advantage, on a non tech descent I'd suggest not.
 
S

sponsor

Apr 20, 2014
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Interesting there are so many positions even with the pros. I believe it matters a whole bunch on certain roads, less on others.

The other component is being pushed. It is quite common [for me to see] the tucked rider in front of a group being pushed to stay in front. That rider is shoulders on the bars, **** under the saddle on the top tube. Other riders push him/saddle and keep him in front. They stay on their seats, in a tuck drafting.
 
StyrbjornSterki

StyrbjornSterki

Jul 18, 2010
1,277
25
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Road Bike Review has an online report of testing on this subject conducted by Holland's Eindhoven University. According to their result, this is the slickest "tuck:"

2055_vp_semaine2804_007_1.jpg


Also according to their result, Froome's ultra-far-forward position actually would be more aero if he would slide his bum back on the top tube until it contacts the seatpost.
 
Bull

Bull

Jun 23, 2017
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Very interesting thread. I've learnt a few things.
However I have a question about aerodynamic position while descending around corners.
I am taking the stance that sitting far back on top tube, with forward body tuck, is best practical aerodynamics. Then the centre of gravity is now lower and ideal for cornering. Is it possible to corner in this position, or is it best to get back on the saddle for better control, though losing that lower C of G?
 
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