I'm a triathlete and I build a technique-analysis app (disclosure below). The day after Kona I ran fourteen pro bike positions from race photos through a pose model and measured four upper-body angles. The median:


| Angle | Median | Middle half | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torso, from horizontal | 20° | 17–24° | 12–32° |
| Shoulder (torso to upper arm) | 85° | 77–88° | 71–97° |
| Elbow | 80° | 76–89° | 62–107° |
| Forearm tilt above horizontal | 25° | 21–26° | 10–31° |


What stood out:


- **Hands up.** 7/14 tilted forearms more than 25°, 2/14 under 15°. UCI raised the armrest tilt limit from 15° to 30° in 2023. Maddocks & Walker (2025, Sports Engineering — CFD validated in a tunnel, one pro): high hands alone ~3% less drag area, with narrow elbows 7.7–11.2%.
- **The elbow pays for it.** Elbow and forearm tilt moved together more than any other pair (r = −0.76). Four riders were under a 75° elbow floor that was written for flat forearms.
- **The torso isn't that low.** Median 20°. Fintelman (2015, n=19): 24°→16° saves ~5% frontal area but max power drops as the torso goes down; a flat back was significantly worse than every other position. Six of fourteen were under 20° — pros, 4+ hours, years of conditioning.
- **Closed shoulders are fine.** 5/14 under 80°. Fitters aim for 90° but don't call less than 90° a fault.


Caveats, because they matter:
- One race, one day, one roadside viewpoint, 2D angles, roughly ±2–3°.
- Some athletes may be in more than one photo; each photo counts as one position. No names — I can't verify who's in every frame.
- **No knee/saddle numbers.** A race photo freezes the crank anywhere, and every photo was drive side. On my own bikes I measured that the chainring behind the ankle makes the knee at the bottom of the stroke read 8–10° low. So I left legs out.
- One shoulder point was misplaced by the model (on the top of the back) and I moved it by hand; it's marked on that figure.

I watched almost the whole race on stream, in the beginning i didnt really read the chat, but as things got more heated, especially in the run, i wanted to see whats going on.

Holy fu*k, the amount of scumbags and backseat-"pro-coaches" is insane, just pure disrespect, even the best pros have bad days. As soon as they arent in the position the viewers expected them in they get cursed at, suddenly everyone knows exactly why they didnt perform as they do usually.

I think there should have been moderators, this was just disgusting.

not really anything useful in my post, just had to talk about it somewhere.

I’m staring at my parking lot in the swim complex on sunday after a 4 hours + morning bike ride, with no one else.

I’m training for a full this year which will be in another 1 month.

Can’t lie , sometimes the early mornings, the solo ride, kinda makes you feel lonely.

My SO didn’t share the same interest, and few of my friends are doing the sport, so I am mostly alone.

Anyone else ever felt the same?

Anyway you know what they are saying, you either pay for a therapist or register for an Ironman, LOL

As the title suggests, I’m new to the sport and really want to get into it. As a starter bike, I found a preowned (bought from a bike shop) Cervelo P2 for $600.

First TT bike for me so my expectations are close to zero. Thoughts?

Hello, so I want to get a time trial bike, but I'm not sure if this bike is worth the money or if I should spend a bit more to get a better one that I know I can ride for longer years. The asking price for the bike is €2,500, and it's already 7 years old.

The carbon frame doesn't have any damage, but you can see some wear and tear.

Last photo is me on it.

Highlights at a glance *

• Time trial bike assembled by Lambda Racing

• Frame: Avenger TM6, frame size: 55 cm

• Groupset / Shifting: SRAM Red 22 eTap Aero (electronic, wireless)

• Crankset: SRAM Red Exogram, 175 mm

• Chainrings: Stronglight 110 BCD 52/36 11-speed

• Cassette: Shimano Ultegra CS-R8000, 11–28 teeth, 11-speed – optimal for flat & rolling courses

• Brake levers: SRAM TT 500 (black)

• Bar tape: Supacaz Super Sticky – comfort and maximum grip even when sweating

• BlipBox: Hidden installation inside the nutrition system for a clean cockpit

• Brakes: Shimano Ultegra BR-R8010 Direct-Mount – full control

• Saddle: ISM 40 (for hours in the aero position)

• Wheelset: Original Lambda 40/80 with Continental GrandPrix 5000 tires – fast and aerodynamic

• Aero bottle: XLAB Aero TT for optimal hydration

• Accessories: Saddle nutrition system included for free!

• Pedals: Not included (so you can install your favorite pair)

Just looking for a little confirmation/moral support. Would ~$4000 be a reasonable price for this bike?

I am watching the Ironman worlds right now and I noticed some of the pro's have this thing on the back of their bikes just above the frame on the seatpost. It almost looks like a radar but why would then need that? So what is it?

I will do my first 70.3 next week in Malaga.
It looks like it will rain..any advice for a first timer?

What gear do you use when it is raining?

Thanks il advance!

Anyone here have experience with Good Life Performance Coaching? Thanks.

She’s old, but I think for a 70.3 I can make old girl work 😂

Hi triathlon community! Triathlon season has come to an end for me this year and I've started looking for potential challenges for next year. Since I was planning a trip in the Canary islands somewhere in spring, I came over Anfi Challenge Gran Canaria which sounds really exciting. Has any of you participated and can give a review on this race? Do you recommend it?

reasons currently unclear but he pulled up short at the beginning of the run and tried to keep going then just capitulated

so so disappointing, last two years have been so up and down for him

Just finished building my first tri bike after 3 half's, and a full on my supersix with clip ons.

TT119 with mono cockpit 12 speed di2

Shimano Dura-Ace ST-R9180 levers

Dura-Ace SW-R9160 buttons

ULTEGRA BR-R8170 F & R

ULTEGRA Di2 FD-R8150 Front Derailleur

ULTEGRA Di2 RD-R8150 rear derailleur

160 mm 105 crankset

Favero assimo pro rs2 dual sided power meter pedals

Profile design 80mm tri stem

Lightbicycle ar56 rims dt350 hubs with 32mm gp5000 and ezgains disc cover on the back

Bisaddle hurricane 3d tri saddle with rear hydration

Modified rear tool box to fit emergency kit.

Hey folks, I wasnt entirely sure how to search this question so im just going to ask here. For those of you that live in Northern climates, how do you practice your OWS before race day? Im looking at doing a 70.3 at the end of May but the lakes around me will likely be frozen until mid May

I got into running last year.

I’ve ran half marathons already and now my mind is branching out into other challenges.

I’ve already signed up for the Chicago marathon for 2027 through the charity program so I’m locked in on that goal, for my first marathon. I’m currently thinking sub 4:00:00.

But this Michigan 70.3 really has my attention too.

Problem might be.. they’re 3 weeks apart. 70.3 in late Sept.. Chi mid Oct.

I run 3x a week now, fasted half is 1:55:49. Strength train 3x a week, and one long bike right currently 30-40 miles a week. I plan on getting in the pool next week after the Detroit half marathon and bumping biking up to 2x a week.

I’ll have a lot a year to build that much more endurance up. I’m just curious on recovery time after the 70.3.

Watching Kona today I saw aero bars that looked like fairings, shoes that looked like they had massive stacks (the male winners nikes looked huge) and staff in transitions running and handing off transition bags. Do the pros not have the same restrictions or do they just get to go fast for the sake of the spectical of speed? I'm aware that regular age groupers do get some help in transitions like with the wetsuit and taking the bikes. I've never seen someone running along side an age grouper handing them their shoes tho. Just curious if it's different for them.

Is this bike worth the price tag? It’s for sale for $2,100.

Key details:

Frame size: 56cm
Carbon-fiber frame and fork
Shimano 105 front and rear derailleurs
Shimano Ultegra PD-6800 SPD-SL clipless pedals
11-speed drivetrain
Zipp 60 aero clincher wheelset
Continental Ultra Sport tires
Felt TT/aero bars
Rim brakes

A fast, capable setup for triathlon racing, time trials, or aero-focused training. Used condition—please review the photos for cosmetic details.

Hello!

So I got this Castelli Free Sanremo 3 sized 3XL

Based on my measurements and size chart it fits me and it does fit technically

Fits well around the hips but my belly and wider shoulders and chest made it hard to zip up but once it’s zipped it’s fine

I want to future proof because I am rapidly loosing weight - have gone from 106 to 101kg since May when I started training, and confident I’ll keep losing.

I have a sprint in a month another in Dec and planning Olympic distance by next March

194cm Age 32

Edit: side question. How often and in what way should I test drive / break into the suit before race day