Below is a synopsis of the day here.
We started with a session led
by a Physiotherapist who has worked with the British Olympic program
and Team Sky. He had some interesting observations regarding athletes
who are as he puts it micro-adjusters at one end of the scale and
macro-adapters at the other. Confirming some of what we have seen in the
fit room for years that some cyclists came adapt very readily and
productively to moderate contact point changes, while others can feel a
shift in performance from a millimeter change. The upshot being the
athlete who is adaptable is "more robust and less likely to injury
issues.
Kit Vogel presented an excellent review of her research of the last
two years relating to the details and the cascading effects of pelvic
assymetry on pedaling mechanics and position. The main element here is
that basically due to the inherent complexity of the pelvic shape we are
all asymetric in some aspect, which drivesome of the apparent leg
length discrepancies, knee track variation and saddle discomfort issues.
The next presenter was Dr Nigel Stevens who is a cardiologist and
cyclist who has been treating a number of cyclists and runners with an
interest in the 40-60 year old group. The lecture was full of
fascinating case studies which are too involved to recount here. His
most interesting observation was that the sporting cyclist/athlete has a
better long term general health prospect than the elite athlete who has
pushed the limits of the body to the absolute maximum range in training
and competition. Hmmmmm.
At the very end of the day a group from Germany went through a
really neat set up they developed using pressure reading pads as a
saddle cover and in the shoes. This is most impressive, not just the
data acquisition aspect but the software they have developed that shows
pressure variation dynamically. The system also shows the center of
pressure and its movement. This group will then construct a custom
saddle based on the pressure information. Price, well if you have to
ask...right now they think about 300 euros. I don't know about doing
the saddles but perhaps the pressure reading system will be a real
possibility in a shop environment.
Ciao
We are having great success with Parlee cycles this year. It has been a brand that has been in the shop for almost 5 years and is finally getting some much earned respect.
This is there latest addition to their Carbon Family, The Z5. Introduced this year as the stock size lightweight frameset.
BB30 Bottom bracket only, this keeps the weight down. With the option of a standard or tall head tube, there are a total of 10 size options, which really help's in the fitting room.
2.78lbs for the complete frame with fork.
1.74lbs for a bare frame.
Here is a look at the back of the new Cronometro shop Jerseys.
