World Tour Bikes they come in many different shapes and sizes (okay, most of them look the same) but there are certain features that are uniform across the pack, including the use of slammed stems.
A slammed set-up is characterized by a lack of spacers, which means the trunk is in the lowest possible position. It helps a rider to get into the lowest and most aerodynamic position, although it is also responsible for the unfortunate backs in the world among eager amateur cyclists who try to emulate the professionals, only to realize that they have overestimated their flexibility.
There is good news for those who like to replicate pro bike setups, however, as GCN‘s Alex Paton he thinks he saw a new trend in 2024, with many riders abandoning the bumped set-ups in favor of more spacers.
But is it actually a trend or a figment of his imagination? To find out, he made the trip to Italy to the Tour of Italy for a little investigation.
Read more: What are the latest bike tech trends you should know about?
Why do pros use slammed set-ups?
Like most things in cycling, the root of slammed set-ups lies in the world of aerodynamics.
There are many forces working against a rider when pedaling, but the biggest one is drag, except when riding a steep climb. Despite all the research and money that goes into improving the aerodynamics of bikes, it’s actually the rider that is the biggest cause of drag and the WorldTour peloton’s solution has been a broken setup.
In general, the lower the front of the bike, the lower and flat the torso of the rider, which is good for aerodynamics. It is not a new concept and has been adopted by cyclists for decades.
Read more: How to get faster for free: Top 5 aerodynamic tips that don’t cost a fortune
However, a lower position exposes even more of the rider’s arms to the wind, and Alex believes some pros have remedied this by raising the handlebars. If the handlebars are raised and the torso stays in the same place by bending the arms to account for the change in height, then the forearm will be horizontal to the wind, helping to reduce the climb.
Cycling is constantly evolving, with one of the biggest drivers of change being the wind tunnels, where riders are constantly adjusting their positions on the bike in search of any aerodynamic advantage. So it wouldn’t be surprising for riders to adopt new aerodynamic positions, but was there evidence of this at the Giro d’Italia? And if there were, could there be other reasons for using more spacers, such as increased comfort?
Watch the full video at the top of this page to find out what Alex discovered during his hunt around the Giro peloton.
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