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.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Flat Backs/”/]
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@the Engine
don't start that shit again.....I had to spend an hour this morning reading back on last nights firefight just to figure out what the fuck was going on!!....cue ;)
@Deakus
Hmmmm_Thanks for the support! If I do, I'll need to set up some rules for taking the pics so they are 'usable' to do comparison. I tried to keep the bars side on on both bikes. Also need to know a distance, say C-C seat to head tube, or C-C wheel base/axle.
This is what I did to see how my set up may look with what I've got before making purchases/refunds to get a position I'm happy with. The Moser, I went through a couple of stems, ended up at 130mm long!
@sthilzy What do you do that with, photochop?
@Dan_R
I'm looking forward to your wheel recommendations. 1200grams gets me to 6.9kg for the bike. Yeah.
@frank Thanks for the compliments on the bikes. I'll put the bikes right for their official portraits, skewers and all!
@Jeff in PetroMetro Do we get a story about JiPM's Look v.2?
Yes, I think so. Death. Shock. Tears shed. Bike #2 becomes Bike #1. Prayers to Merckx. Prayers answered. The Resurrection. Good fortune. A beautiful future.
Don't ever doubt the power of the V.
@Nate If you all will indulge me. And Gianni let's it in.
@Jeff in PetroMetro I'm not Gianni, but we all indulged you for v.1. Why not v.2?
@Nate
Yes, but there were about 12 Velominati back then. Five of them were Keepers. And even Frank thought about breaking up my story into multiple entries. A serial, if you will. I'll try to keep this next one a little shorter.