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Leon Griffin Aero Testing

The 70.3 stud refines his position with a career-first bike fit and aero test.

February 27, 2014 Aaron Hersh

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Leon — Griffin flew to California to refine his position–biomechanically and aerodynamically–and his trip started with a visit to Dan Empfield’s F.I.S.T. fit school for a fit tune-up. All photos: Lars Finanger

Leon — Empfield has a trove of Cobb Cycling saddles, Griffin’s sponsor, at his ranch. Griffin looked at every aspect of his fit as he hadn’t before gone through a thorough bike fit.

Leon — Empfield uses the Guru Dynamic Fit Unit (DFU) fit bike and set the initial position based on Griffin’s existing fit on his Argon 18 E-118.

Leon — Argon 18 president Gervais Rioux, himself a former pro cyclist, collaborates with Griffin on his position and equipment choices.

Leon — One of the biggest changes from the fit was shortening Griffin’s crank arms from 172.5mm down to 165mm.

Leon — The second day of Griffin’s trip was spent undergoing aero optimization with ERO Sports, using the Alphamantis aerodynamic testing system at the LA Velodrome.

Leon — Jim Manton, left, of ERO Sports conducted the test, which starts with a wheel rollout to calibrate the system.

Leon — Manton and Rioux observe as Griffin laps the track. The system records the aerodynamic drag of a rider over 10 laps of the 250 meter track for each trial.

Leon — Griffin opted for the Rudy Project Wing 57 for most of the test runs.

Leon — Griffin is a Rev3, Ironman 70.3 and former world duathlon champion.

Leon — Griffin ended up with the Cobb JOF saddle from his fit with Empfield.

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