Position on saddle in aero position

[beetle]

I have found after months of riding on the trainer that I sit in a different position on the saddle on my trainer when down on my tribars that I do when on the road - has ayone esle found this?

I think I am due for a check of my bike fit at the LBS but when I was on the road the other day I found the the tribars did not feel like they were extended far enough and I was sitting further back on the saddle to compensate. I'm on a WSD road bike fitted with tribars but with my limited description does this sound like a fit or posture problem?

Maybe I'm not actually sitting on tthe saddle right to start with as I always get sore to the front (IYKWIM) rather than on my sit bones. I never have a sore butt so to speak after a ride, but the other bits are always a quite tender. I've tilted the seat forward slightly which has helped a bit but maybe I'm not sitting right to start with. I do find if I suck in my abs and curve my back a bit (sort of like the lady up the top in the header) that this moves more weight to my butt. But is this position one that could be used for several hours at the moment it makes my back fatigue a lot quicker? Perhaps time and miles is all I need :o

[anakiwa]

I'm not sure what the right thing is, but I've definitely noticed different pressure points on the tri-bike saddle (and I've used the same saddle on road bikes so it's not the saddle).

Generally, if I have trouble on a road bike, it's at the sit bones. On the tri-bike I've noticed I'm really sitting on the bones to the side of the front parts. I'm using a Terry Liberator (not exactly designed for triathlons) which is a little wider in the front. I think the width takes the pressure off the soft parts and puts it on the bones. I'm not sure where the pressure is supposed to be, but this seems to work okay for me (I made it through a HIM last summer without any significant distress).

I'd be careful about tilting the saddle too far down (it can cause you to slip forward- causing you to constantly have to push back, and fatiguing your neck and upper back over time). Have you tried more than one saddle?

[Wahine]

The first thing is, where are your elbow rests on your tribars. Generally you should be in a position that allows your shoulders to be at a 90 degree angle to your torso. In a aero position you want your back to be flat. The aero position does put more pressure on the soft tissues/girly bits, because you pelvis is rotated forward. For this reason, it's generally a more uncomfortable position unless you're cranking it. When you're applying more pressure through the pedals, it takes pressure off the soft bits. If you are rotating your pelvis back bay sucking in your belly, you will take the pressure off the front (this is why most people do this, to relieve discomfort, often subconsciously), your back and neck can get more sore.

So what should you do. You might need a flatter saddle (saddle shape, not tilt) to keep you from sliding forwards in the aero position and you may need to actually move your elbow pads back if possible.

What I've learned over the last few weeks of trying to decide what bike to buy is that it is really hard to achieve a efficient aero position on a road bike. The 2 suggestions I made may help.