Xplora wrote:If your cleats are quite forward, then you'll be putting enormous strain on your calves - the deadness could just be an accumulation of lactic acid from overusing your calves.
My experience with my homebrew TT setup is that you get a lot more work through the glutes and hammys because I'm stretched down and out more. Would prefer to be even lower LOL Anyways, because of that more flat foot pumping style with the TT position you'll be forced to use your calves more if your seat isn't in the right spot - you mentioned it is worse on the hills, you'll find your calves are working much harder to keep up the power, as you'll already be maxing out with the rest of your legs on the flats. It is different on a MTB or roady because you are free to stand, rock the bike side to side, flatten or bend your back - but when you're on the rivet, you are essentially locking yourself into a single position and forcing otherwise weak muscles to join the quads party. Calves are good, but generally you won't use them much when riding. TT can strip your ability to remove the calves as you lack the core stability that you have on the MTB or roady. The only way to resolve this is to ride slower while you improve at the position, and a bike fit will be very helpful if you haven't actually been fit to the TT bike before. Stretching and physios etc will be helpful, but I know the kind of strains you are talking about and I think it's going to be harder to resolve without being more long term in your approach to resolution. If you've only got onto this bike once a week for 2-3 months, I would not assume you had adapted yet if you are still punishing the MTB and roady. In fact, it might make it even harder, and you develop extra core stability from the TT position and then use that extra stability to develop even stronger MTB/Roady muscles, thus taking you out of adjustment all over again LOL
clackers wrote:As a physio was explaining to me, coming out of the saddle gives the calves a rest and brings the glutes into play, but that's hard to do TT.
Moving the cleats back from the neutral position puts less leverage on your calves, which in your case may be worth the performance compromise ... less leverage!
update... new cleat position... slightly past the centre of the ball of the foot. didnt touch the seat...
made a world of difference in lactic build up...
calf issue no-more!!!!!
genius!!!
thanks guys