CdA with Ben Delaney of Velonews
No Supertuck, no modified TT position? Now what? Velonews Managing Editor Ben Delaney helps us figure out what the pros will now use to keep their speeds high on descents and in breakaways.
Ben has written several articles on what the two, now banned positions are worth when in comes to watts. He also has insight on equipment that could be used to make up for the loss of the Supertuck and "Praying Mantis" position.
Got a question you’d like to ask? Text or leave a voicemail at the Marginal Gains Hotline: +1-317-343-4506 or just leave a comment in this post!
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Hi at Marginal Gains!
A question for Josh: what are your thoughts on using Synergetic for bearings? I´m thinking for one the pulley bearings of an oversized pulley derailleur (instead of CS provided oil), and secondly for BB bearings for time trial use. Normally I wouldn´t consider an oil, but after seeing the video on Synergetic with the friction testing, I´m wondering if Synergetic is “strong” enough to protect the balls and races in a BB bearing.
Thank you for an amazing source of knowledge and inspiration!
Max
Hey Josh, Hottie and Fatty.
Absolutely loved your deep dive on the upgrades that matter and making all of us makes a smarter choice when we spend on our bicycle to make us go faster.
Speaking of going fast, I have been using your Silca Super Secret chain lube. I am not sure if it was just me or something I am doing wrong, but is it true that these waxed based drip lube is quiet, but not as quiet as your wet lube? Or am I just not applying ithe Super Secret Lube enough?
Looking forward to hear from you guys.
P/s : I have been letting the Super Secret drip lube dry at the minimum of 10hrs.
My takeaway from Ben’s position testing was that if you can’t maintain your position in the drops with bent elbows and horizontal (relatively speaking) forearms, then your drops (i.e. bars) are positioned too low. It’s a common issue amongst the “slam that stem” devotees. The “arms locked out in the drops” position is useless, since it’s slower than other positions, so what’s the point in having the drops that low (besides coffee shop aesthetics, that is)?
Gerard Vroomen did a great series of blog posts on the subject. He called it the “Lubberding point”:
https://gerard.cc/2011/07/26/2-points-lubberding/
https://gerard.cc/2011/07/29/body-vs-bar-1/
https://gerard.cc/2011/08/02/body-vs-bar-2/
https://gerard.cc/2011/08/08/body-position-vs-bar-height-part-3/
https://gerard.cc/2011/08/08/body-position-vs-bar-height-part-3/
Full disclosure, in 2003, I did the invisible aero bar position most of the way through a cat 4 criterium in the US. I actually got caught just before the finish, but I managed to outsprint the group.
I haven’t raced road in many years, but the invisible aerobar position doesn’t seem very commonly used at all. I would guess that pro riders who use it mainly do so when they’re at the front. I would guess that supertucks are similar: you’d do them if you’re solo or at the front of a break.
I do accept that the UCI should be improving safety. In the case of these two techniques, though, the trade off is that they help breakaways go faster, which helps the sport. They are self-limiting, because it’s very obvious that your control is reduced. You don’t need the commisaire pointing that out, it’s immediately apparent the second you go over a rough patch of road. Hence, I am not sure the rationale for banning them is strong. Rider safety would be better served if the UCI got organizers to make the finish lines safer and to get road furniture out of the roads.
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