Pillars of Speed, Part 3: Power

March 4, 2025

This is part three of the Pillars of Speed series. You can find the prior installments here:

Part One: Unlocking Speed on the Bike
Part Two: Comfort, The Foundation

Power

The ability to apply force to the pedals without restriction.

More Power

When fitting cyclists, I often hear, “I want a position that allows me to put out the most power.” While some fits might result in dramatic wattage gains, these are usually seen when a rider’s initial position was highly restrictive. Subtle changes—like adjusting saddle height by a few millimeters—won’t magically add 20 watts.

What we are looking for is a position that optimizes muscle function while minimize pain, discomfort, and lack of stability, which will rob athletes of power. While it’s difficult to objectively measure a fit’s impact on power, a well-executed fit removes the barriers to force production on the bike.