Form fundamentals
Hip Angle
How open the angle between your torso and thigh is — the balance of power, comfort, and aero.
What good looks like
What it is
Hip angle is the torso-to-thigh openness. A closed (small) angle is aggressive and aero but can crowd the hip flexors; a very open angle is comfortable but costs power and aerodynamics.
Why it matters
Too closed a hip angle is a common source of hip-flexor tightness and breathing restriction on long rides; too open leaves speed on the table.
How we detect it
We measure the shoulder-hip-knee angle and take the median across the stroke. ~45-55° suits most endurance positions.
How to fix it
Adjust reach (stem length/height) and saddle setback to open or close the hip to your goals, and pair with hip-flexor mobility.
Recommended drills
- •Shorten/raise reach to open a crowded hip
- •Hip-flexor mobility (2x30s/side)
- •Reassess saddle setback
Run these 2-3x per week. Expect to feel a change in form 4-6 weeks in.