Bicycle Fit as a predictor of success

Training
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We have a thread that has brought up bike fit. What better time to start a more abstract thought experiment thread with my bonkers theory? :slight_smile:

Here it is - a significant contributor to bicycling success is getting a great position on day one through dumb luck. If you start from a position you can ride in comfortably for 4 hours that is balanced across muscles and is reasonably aero, you’re going to be faster than average on day one, and you’re going to get better faster than somebody who’s uncomfortable or in a quad or glute dominant position.

I can already hear people saying “but look at successful rider X - their position is terrible!” Well, I think the answer may be - it’s not terrible for them!

The counter argument is that cycling is the sport least dependent on form, so I could just be full of it!

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Interesting idea.
I got a new bike this spring and struggled to put myself into a good position on it; I lost fitness almost continuously for a couple months with some knee almost-pain (definitely sore) that developed the longer I rode. I drove 4 hours (each way) and paid for a fit, and I was immediately about 15W more powerful for the same HR & RPE, and I can now ride 4+ hours again without discomfort and fitness is climbing.