My wife and I were watching the NBC coverage of the IronMan 70.3 World Championship and had one question: Why do so many triathletes ride so far up on the nose of the saddle?

My wife and I were watching the NBC coverage of the IronMan 70.3 World Championship and had one question: Why do so many triathletes ride so far up on the nose of the saddle?

It is pretty common and believe it or not it is not uncomfortable at all. They are trying to get steeper (seat tube angle).

Mike

Scootch your saddle up or just move yourself forward and you'll see why that position is ideal for TT like efforts.

You've heard the expression "on the rivet"? Yeah, that's what this is.

The UCI rulebook has two rules 1.3.013 and 1.3.023 regarding saddle position.

The first of these rules, 1.3.013, says that the tip of the rider's saddle shall be no further forward than 5cm behind the bike's bottom bracket.

Triatheletes do not have to conform to these rules.