4 ms·
This is an oversimplification - good cycling form has many benefits beyond aerodynamics and power. For example, your typical commuter bike allows the rider to
by harlanlewis 14y ago
This is an oversimplification - good cycling form has many benefits beyond aerodynamics and power.
For example, your typical commuter bike allows the rider to sit in a standard upright position. While many new to bikes find this more comfortable, each bump in the road sends a jolt up through the seat post that continues unimpeded vertically up the rider's spine, compressing each disc in the vertebrae. Sore butt and an aching back at the end of the ride.
Adopting road cycling form, aside from strengthening your core, allows your torso to act as a shock absorber, harmlessly waggling away the energy.
- eru 14y agoOr you could just ride a recumbent. The only reason they ride uprights at races is regulations.
- harlanlewis 14y agoThere is no shortage of vehicles to ride :) As this thread started with a commuter bike, I'll stick to commuting. The low visibility of recumbents in traffic (both of the rider and what the rider can see) is a bigger issue than ergonomics. Each rider determines their own level of acceptable risk, etc etc, but regulation has nothing to do with their lacking adoption for commuters.
- eru 14y agoYou could stick a neon flag on top. > Each rider determines their own level of acceptable risk, etc etc, but regulation has nothing to do with their lacking adoption for commuters. That's true. The greatest drawback of my recumbent is the inability to use backpack at the same time. (Sure there are saddlebags, but that's less convenient.)