Starting the 2025 season I will be switching to riding the Canyon Speedmax CFR. With my first race (Ironman South Africa) rapidly approaching I knew it was time for a specialized bike fit—one that would make me faster, more aerodynamic, and comfortable for those long efforts. The goal? Optimize power output while ensuring I could sustain the position effortlessly.
So, with my tri-club friend Ian in tow, we made the journey north to Matt Bottrill Performance Coaching—the gold standard in TT bike fits in the UK. Having worked with Matt before on my previous bike and experiencing a game-changing transformation, I was beyond excited to see what magic he could work on my new setup.
Assessing My Starting Position
We began by analyzing my initial position. Right off the bat, it was clear something wasn’t right—too low, too cramped, too much pressure on my shoulders. Holding that position for more than five minutes felt impossible. Given that my new bike was a few sizes smaller than my last, the potential for a more aggressive aero stance was there, but it needed fine-tuning to be sustainable over long efforts.
Key Adjustments for Maximum Aero Gains
The biggest fix? Bringing the cockpit forward with a specialist adapter while also raising it by nearly 5cm. This subtle but crucial tweak opened my hip angle, redistributed weight, and helped me settle properly onto the saddle. It also elongated my position, naturally dropping my shoulders and head lower—essential for slicing through the air.
Next, Matt swapped in my trusted Kismet arm pads, replacing the factory Canyon ones. These pads “cup” my arms securely, locking me into a more stable aero tuck. The result? Less strain, more control, and a more efficient position.
Fine-Tuning Saddle & Weight Distribution
My initial cramped setup was largely due to a saddle positioned too far back, closing my hip angle. We moved it up and forward, allowing me to engage my glutes more effectively. A saddle pressure analysis confirmed the improvement—I was now sitting evenly, distributing weight efficiently across the contact points.
The Finishing Touches
Once the major adjustments were dialled in, it was time for the finishing details.
Matt custom-built an attachment for my bike computer to keep my cockpit clean and aero. We added a bottle cage between my arms, helping to close that gap between my shoulders, further smoothing airflow. Finally, position coaching: Matt fine-tuned my posture, reminding me to keep my back engaged and avoid sliding too far forward on the saddle, which could compromise glute activation and lead to a rounded upper back. The first image below shows my before position and the second after Matt worked his magic.
The Final Verdict? Aero, Comfortable & Race-Ready!
One week post-fit, I’ve already put the new position through its paces. Three indoor sessions? Locked in and holding the position effortlessly. A longer outdoor ride? Comfortable, controlled, and feeling incredibly efficient.
I couldn’t be happier with how the bike feels and I can’t wait to put my new dialled-in aero machine to the test at Ironman South Africa.
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