Am I just imagining?

[gavroche]

I think people with long legs make stronger and faster riders than those with short legs. Am I right?
I have been watching other riders lately and noticed that all the ones passing me seem to have longer legs ( I only have short legs, 29"). I know that general fitness and weight play a big part also but I see more riders with long legs than short ones. Also, most professional riders have long legs.
Please correct me If I am wrong.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Cavendish is pretty short legged but doesn't seem to lack power at the kill. But if you're up hill and down dale, yes, I'd think light, long and leggy would be best.

 

[Durian]

A friend of mine has short stubby legs that wouldn't look out of place holding up a snooker table, when he gets those legs moving on the flat he can leave me for dead. My legs are long and thin, picture two pieces of string, but when we hit the hills I leave him in my wake.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I have a 36' inside leg, so I can categorically state it is your imagine

 

[gavroche]

A friend of mine has short stubby legs that wouldn't look out of place holding up a snooker table, when he gets those legs moving on the flat he can leave me for dead. My legs are long and thin, picture two pieces of string, but when we hit the hills I leave him in my wake.

Can we deduct from your post that short legs are good on the flat and long legs better on hills? Add stamina to that and all is well if you live in Holland. Wales is a different story. Can I get leg extensions on the nhs?

 

[gb155]

I have a 36' inside leg, so I can categorically state it is your imagine

I only have 33"'s but I'm not too bad

My mate is quicker than me uphill and has 29"

IM better in a sprint

Therefore I say, it depends on terrain

 

[Durian]

Can we deduct from your post that short legs are good on the flat and long legs better on hills? Add stamina to that and all is well if you live in Holland. Wales is a different story. Can I get leg extensions on the nhs?

Save yourself the pain, get some glamrock platform boots!

 

[Boris Bajic]

Both my legs are the same length, so I am unable to provide any accurate or credible comparison data.

Sorry.

 

[Andy_R]

The legs are actually getting longer as the rider passes due to the doppler effect as they head away from you. The science is simple; as something moves away from the observer the wavelengths effectively get longer as they take longer to reach the observer. Thus, effectively, the overtaking rider's legs will get longer the further away from the observer they are, to a point where the legs are infinitely long and the rider is no longer in sight. .

Or maybe not.