[Study on sta and efficiency](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de/cpa/article/view/4952/4594&ved=2ahUKEwiXhcTP6djvAhXDrZ4KHdTgCmYQFjANegQIHBAC&usg=AOvVaw03h1r-kCrm3sksU_BxDd6D)
Google this and the first study I found showed a 72 deg sta was the ideal position for efficiency. Riders maintained 259 watts at 60 rpm and their muscle forces were measured. I like this study because it backs up what I think ;)
Taprider makes a lot of points that resonate with me. The balance point he is speaking of refers to a place where you are balanced on your pedals rather than tilting/falling forwards. This makes sense on a smaller wheelbase bike but on a long sled, you probably need the longer reach to weight the front wheel.
The article seems to assume that a steeper sta is inherently more efficient, if this was the case, why don't road riders and xc racers adopt it? Why can I find scientific studies that refute it? To use triathlon bikes to make any sort of claim is ludicrous. They are the least comfortable bikes to ride, handle poorly and are focused on reducing wind resistance over all else.
In regards to the photos of you on your wife's and your bikes, why would you even bother comparing those? Showing how awkward you look on a bike that is 2 sizes too small really doesn't demonstrate much. The fact that your seated position is so similar demonstrates that your ETT onuour own bike is very short. As taprider elucidates, the harder you pedal, the lower your torso needs to be in order to counterbalance the driving force of your pedaling. With such a short ett, it would be uncomfortable to drop your torso towards your bars imo.
March 30, 2021, 4:34 p.m. - Reed Holden
[Study on sta and efficiency](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de/cpa/article/view/4952/4594&ved=2ahUKEwiXhcTP6djvAhXDrZ4KHdTgCmYQFjANegQIHBAC&usg=AOvVaw03h1r-kCrm3sksU_BxDd6D) Google this and the first study I found showed a 72 deg sta was the ideal position for efficiency. Riders maintained 259 watts at 60 rpm and their muscle forces were measured. I like this study because it backs up what I think ;) Taprider makes a lot of points that resonate with me. The balance point he is speaking of refers to a place where you are balanced on your pedals rather than tilting/falling forwards. This makes sense on a smaller wheelbase bike but on a long sled, you probably need the longer reach to weight the front wheel. The article seems to assume that a steeper sta is inherently more efficient, if this was the case, why don't road riders and xc racers adopt it? Why can I find scientific studies that refute it? To use triathlon bikes to make any sort of claim is ludicrous. They are the least comfortable bikes to ride, handle poorly and are focused on reducing wind resistance over all else. In regards to the photos of you on your wife's and your bikes, why would you even bother comparing those? Showing how awkward you look on a bike that is 2 sizes too small really doesn't demonstrate much. The fact that your seated position is so similar demonstrates that your ETT onuour own bike is very short. As taprider elucidates, the harder you pedal, the lower your torso needs to be in order to counterbalance the driving force of your pedaling. With such a short ett, it would be uncomfortable to drop your torso towards your bars imo.