Post 2023 Western Australia Ironman I made it a priority to get a bike fit for time trial triathlon bike fit Perth to be more aero. The reason was twofold; to ensure I’m using right muscles so would be stronger on the run and then to see if I can get some extra speed without work.
The bike fit initially felt like a very aggressive position as I was quiet a lot lower but after 2 weeks of riding on it I got used to it and it was same discomfort as being in TT position anyway.
I went with the exercise institute in Subiaco Perth city as I was doing indoor bike training sessions with them already. I did try get my TT fitted previously with a cyclist specialist out of his shed who seemed better with road bikes than TT. They were professional while in a relaxed environment and a place I highly recommend for people starting out in triathlons to use. Check out a bike fit underway here on their socials.
Why Get a Triathlon Bike Fit
Investing in a professional bike fit is a transformative step for any cyclist looking to strike the perfect balance between peak performance and long-distance comfort. By meticulously aligning your unique physiology with your machine, a proper fit eliminates the persistent aches in your back, neck, and joints that can cut a ride short.
Beyond physical relief, optimizing your riding position improves your aerodynamic profile and ensures every watt of power is transferred efficiently into the pedals. It is a high-impact, quick win that delivers an immediate boost to your speed, endurance, and overall enjoyment on the road.
Time Trial Bike Fit Perth
The tt bike fit itself took around 90 minutes with 3D Bike Fitting | Exercise Institute. They used a xbox camera connected to the laptop to record me cycling and then could adjust according to the computer program feedback. For adjusting the cleats he used a book as a guide.
I’m happy to share to show what information I got back as its completely unique to me and my bike so not much use to others.
Important Takeaways from TT Bike Fit Perth
TT bike:
- Saddle up 15 mm. This was done so that your knee angle was in a better position, which helps with injury prevention and producing more power.
- Lowered your bars by 50 mm, moved you pads closer to each other, and rotated your extension towards each other. All of this helps with aerodynamics but would still need to be tested.
- Adjusted your cleats so that your knees travel in a straighter line over the paddle. This is again better for injury prevention.
Overall tips for riding:
- Shrunk/drop your head for better aerodynamics –> safe energy. This is hard to do, so training this is a good idea. You can practise this in front of a mirror to see what it looks like. Or when you take the bike outside or on the trainer, during intervals focus on this position.
Bike Fit Before vs After
The Results from TT Bike Fit
I have used the same bike for the last 4 ironman events. Only this years had the bike fit so interesting to see how they all stack against each other.
Ironman 2021
Ironman 2022
Ironman 2023
Ironman 2024 – Post Bike Fit
2024 I was fitter so I didn’t have to exert myself as much as other years but with slightly more power wouldn’t compensate for the significant 16mins faster. Also, the conditions significantly worst in 2024 compared to the other years. I think the bike fit was a a huge success based on this data and it felt a lot easier.
To see how I got on in the run and if my theory of saving my legs worked out here Race Recap IM WA Busso 2024
Knowing what AI can do for Running Form AI Gait Analysis App + Prompt and other things I probably would try to do a virtual AI bike fit next time round but also I plan on leaving Perth.