Advice on Time-Trial Positions

By John Swindells 07 May 1996 | Comment
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 12:55:38 -0000
From: Tom Peddle 
Subject: Time Trial Bits
  I have a few questions on the technical side you may be able to answer or 
point me in the direction of someone who can.

1)	Handlebars: I have heard that certain handlebars are not allowed in 
racing / time trailing, what are the rules on these?  The bike I have bought 
has a set of Mavic 'tri-bars' about a foot long in the shape of a narrow 'U' 
with arm rests at the open end.  Are these bars allowed, if not is there any 
reasoning behind why not?

2)	Seat position: From an article about G O'bree I saw a reference that 
the  nose of the saddle must be 5cm behind the bottom bracket.  Is this a real 
rule as even my hack bike's saddle is only 2.5cm behind the bottom bracket, and 
on the bike I've got for time trailing the front of the saddle is dead over the 
bottom bracket.  (Both bikes are comfortable to ride.)

	I find these topics very frustrating as finding information on them is 
next to impossible and the above rules, if true, seem to demand that 'a bike 
must look like this' or 'a rider must adopt this position'.  Is the information 
I have read correct or are these just stories to generate interest in some new 
products or magazines?

	Tom Peddle.




Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 15:34:33 +0000 (GMT)
From: John Swindells ESE PostGrad 
Subject: Re: Time Trial Bits

> 1) Handlebars: I have heard that certain handlebars are not allowed in
> racing / time trailing, what are the rules on these?  The bike I have
> bought has a set of Mavic 'tri-bars' about a foot long in the shape of a
> narrow 'U' with arm rests at the open end.  Are these bars allowed, if
> not is there any reasoning behind why not? 

The rules are: 
1) The height above the ground of the elbow cushions on the
tri-bars must be no less than 80% of the height above the ground of the
top part of the saddle (the bit you sit on!).  The makes sure you're not
hunched over too much, so you have good visibility.

2) The wrists must not be lower than the elbows when you're on the
tri-bars.  This makes sure you have full control of the steering.

3) Your elbows must not extend more than one inch in front of an imaginary
line drawn through the centre of the headset.  This makes sure you're not
too far forward (for stability).


> 2) Seat position: From an article about G O'bree I saw a reference that
> the nose of the saddle must be 5cm behind the bottom bracket.  Is this a
> real rule as even my hack bike's saddle is only 2.5cm behind the bottom
> bracket, and on the bike I've got for time trailing the front of the
> saddle is dead over the bottom bracket.  (Both bikes are comfortable to
> ride.) 

I've heard it quoted as a rule (I didn't know it was 5cm though!), but I
should follow your nose of what's comfortable.  There is a mechanical
advantage in being further forward, plus decreasing comfort/stability on
the bike, so that's why it's limited.  I've never heard of anyone getting
banned for it though, especially on the local scene.


> 	I find these topics very frustrating as finding information on
> them is next to impossible and the above rules, if true, seem to demand
> that 'a bike must look like this' or 'a rider must adopt this position'. 

The rules ensure some element of conformance, to stop riders coming up
with wierd (and possibly unsafe) designs.  I'm not condoning them, but
that's why they're there.  And you'll have to get used to information
coming to you 'word of mouth', which is why you join a club of course!

Hope this helps!  I'll put it in our 'techie tips' section if that's all
right.

  John

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About the author

My name is John Swindells and I'm a keen recreational cyclist with a preference for long one-day rides. I've also previously dabbled in time trialling and cyclo-cross. See more of what I get up to on Strava!