Pushing More Watts for Longer: The Science of Sustained Aero Power
Hummingbird Elite Athlete Addy Epp in a comfortable aero position
Every triathlete knows the equation: Aerodynamics + Sustainable Power = Speed. When we want to go faster, we look at deeper wheels, tighter kits, and aggressive bike fits. But there is a massive roadblock that stands between most athletes and their peak performance: the inability to actually hold that aerodynamic position.
You can have the most wind-tunnel-optimized position in the world, but if your groin is numb and your lower back is screaming after twenty minutes, your power output will plummet. To push more watts for longer, we need to talk about the foundational contact point that governs your entire biomechanics, your saddle.
The Power Drain: How Discomfort Kills Your Watts
If your saddle isn't perfectly matched to your anatomy, two things happen that instantly kill your power output:
Micro-Shifting and Power Leaks: To avoid pain or numbness, you will subconsciously shift your weight, rock your hips, or sit up out of the bars. This erratic movement breaks your aerodynamic profile and wastes precious kinetic energy.
Restricted Blood Flow: Compressing the soft tissue area reduces blood flow, causing premature fatigue, cramping, and that dreaded "pins and needles" feeling.
To maintain a high wattage over 90km or 180km, your pelvis must be locked in, stable, and completely pain-free.
Elite Athlete Insight: Addy Epp’s Breakthrough
Hummingbird Elite Athlete Addy Epp on the BiSaddle 3D Hurricane Pro
Hummingbird Elite Team athlete Addy Epp knows this battle all too well. Like many endurance athletes, he spent years fighting his own equipment before finding a solution that allowed him to unlock his true power potential.
"For my first few years of cycling I always struggled with saddle sores and numbness. Fighting to stay in aero position for long periods of time because my seat was so uncomfortable," Addy shares.
"I got the opportunity to try out BiSaddle products in my debut year as a Hummingbird athlete through to the end of last season, easily perfecting my seat position. Now going into the 2026 racing season, I’m comfortable and confident with my seat, it has allowed me to stay aero and push higher watts for longer."
By eliminating the physical restriction of saddle pain over the winter, Addy transformed his off-season training into massive performance gains on the road this season.
Anatomy of Speed: The BiSaddle 3D Hurricane Pro
The specific tool behind Addy’s breakthrough is the BiSaddle 3D Hurricane Pro. It isn't just a cushion; it is a high-performance biomechanical tool engineered to maximize blood flow and stability.
Here is how the Hurricane 3D turns comfort into raw wattage:
Hummingbird Elite Athlete Addy Epp in a comfortable aero position
1. Custom Shape Matching (Patented Design)
Traditional saddles force your body to adapt to them. The Hurricane 3D is the world’s only patented adjustable-shape saddle. Featuring a unique split-saddle design, it allows you to independently change its width, angle, and profile. With an adjustable sit bone width ranging from 100mm to 175mm, you can widen or narrow the nose and rear to perfectly mirror your pelvic structure.
2. Cutting-Edge 3D Technology & Planted Stability
The Hurricane 3D utilizes advanced 3D printing technology to create a surface that filters out road vibrations before they reach your spine, saving you valuable muscular energy. Crucially for triathletes, the 3D construction features a more gripped surface texture. This keeps you firmly planted in your sweet spot, eliminating the forward-and-backward sliding that ruins pedaling efficiency.
3. Ultra-Lightweight Options for Every Setup
Weight matters when you're looking for extra watts on rolling courses. The Hurricane 3D comes in a compact 218mm length and is offered in three rail configurations to fit your budget and weight goals:
Carbon Fiber: 282g (7mm x 9mm oval rails)
Titanium: 321g (7mm round rails)
Chrome-moly: 342g (7mm round rails)
Furthermore, all components are fully replaceable, making it the last saddle you will ever need to buy.
The easily adjusted BiSaddle 3D Hurricane Pro
Final Thoughts: Stop Tolerating the Pain
If you are cutting intervals short or sitting up out of your aero extensions because of numbness, you are leaving free speed on the table. Comfort isn't a luxury reserved for casual riders, in long-course triathlon, comfort is a prerequisite for power.
By switching to an adjustable systems found in BiSaddle Products, you eliminate the friction, protect your soft tissues, and build a stable platform to push higher watts deeper into your race than ever before.
Want more tips and guidance?
As a Hummingbird Community Team member, you’ll have access to more exclusive content, training plans, discounts on leading brands like BiSaddle, as well as access and communication to Elite Team athletes like Addy, where you can ask as many training and gear questions as you like!
Don't tackle the triathlon journey alone. Join a strong, growing community of like-minded individuals and take the next step in your performance journey.
See you out on the race course. (Locked comfortably in aero)
