The flat back position is perhaps the greatest lie ever told in sport, provided you ignore any of the racing we’ve seen in the last decade or two.
It is possible, I suppose, that when we talk about a flat back, what we really mean is that on an elementary level, all curves are really just a series of straight segments connected at an angle; while a rider’s back may look arched, it really is flat in an existential sense.
Because no one really rides with a flat back. Even riders who famously rode with a flat back, like Greg LeMond, actually rode with only the upper portion of their backs flat. In fact, the only rider I can think of who was as happy as a Texan in an Amgen factory while riding with a truly flat back was The Gypsy himself. It bears mentioning, however, that a search through the Velominati Archives shows only intermittent evidence of him riding with a truly flat back.
If you’ve ever tried to get your back completely flat, you’ll have noticed that it feels awful. Your shoulders tense up, your hips roll forward. It certainly doesn’t do your bits any favors. As you try to accelerate, your shoulders and hips tense up even more in an effort to keep the back as flat as possible.
There is a very simple explanation for this: The V abhors a straight line; it requires smooth curves in order to flow freely from the various V-Receptacles spread throughout your body and into the guns where it is processed and converted into Monumental Devastation.
As you pursue the V-Locus, keep the following points in mind:
And yes, Cycling is hell for your posture. If that’s what you’re after, take up yoga.
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Is the title picture of Le Blaireau the perfect Velominati picture of a man on a bike?
Apart from the de rigueur slightly out of focus dead body in the field right behind him and the possibility that it might just look ever so slightly better (but only ever so) if the cranks were slightly past the 6 o'clock and the picture had been taken from the drive side - is there anything Le Patron could have done to look more fantastic or more pro (given that this was presumably 1979)?
1978
Nice post, Frank, and sound.
Oli, you beat me to it! 1978 it was. Interesting discussion here. Riders back then had a much smaller differential between their bars and stem heights. There's maybe a 2-3" difference for Hinault in the picture. Compare that to some of today's riders who have a 6"+ difference.
Charly Mottet had a very "flat" back. Didi Thurau did too.On of the flattest was Moser.
@wiscot did you mean seat and stem?
@the Engine, @Oli
Indeed. '78 was quite a year for the little frog. Second year as a pro and he won the Tour, Vuelta, and the Nationals. They don't make them like that anymore. Here's a shot from a second later.
More '78 Bernie goodness:
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@Oli
I have to say I'm shocked, I didn't think you'd buy into this one bit! I'll try harder next time, I was a bit rushed this time round.
@wiscot
Only on his commuter
Not his racer
Chuck Flop was flatish, though, but not entirely, the base of his back was always positioned for maximum V, like LeMonds.
Recently I've grown to learn that to adhere to Frank's V-step plan above requires more functional core strength than I currently possess. Countless tweaks have been made to bike setup and position to prevent pain or discomfort that would have probably been entirely unnecessary had I spent more time working on my core. Sadly its taken a lower back injury that kept me from doing any substantial riding for the past several months to force that realization.
@the Engine
Check out the transition of his cap. Perfect Three-Point System here:
And now its completely slipped back in terror as he's laying it on thick.
Must be an early in the season photo of Uli. He's looking rather fat to climb in that one.