Competitive triathlete Ross Sexter has been cycling most of his life, racing as an age-group triathlete for over thirty years. Back in the day, he says, “we just rode whatever our local shop had.” For him, that meant suffering on long 172.5mm cranks simply because no one knew better.

Born with his right foot turned backward and a significant leg length difference, Ross never let it slow him down, but comfort was always a battle. That changed when his bike fitter introduced him to the JCOB Type 5 saddle.

“JCOB saved me from unbelievable bike discomfort,” Ross explains. “It was so bad I ended up having surgery to remove growths formed from bad saddles and poor bike fits. Once I switched to JCOB saddles and shorts, the problems went away. I recommend them all the time.”

Finding the Right Fit

After his surgery, Ross started studying John Cobb’s fitting philosophy and realized how much the right saddle and shorts could change everything. Today, he rides the JCOB Type 5 (previously the Fifty-Five) on his tri bike, the Type R (previously the Randee) on his road setup, and trains exclusively in JCOB Tri shorts.

The Short Crank Revelation

Switching to JCOB 155mm cranks was, as he puts it, “the final piece.” The difference in comfort and power output made riding enjoyable again and sustainable.

Longevity Through Comfort

With the right fit and crank length, Ross says he’s been able to train smarter and stay consistent through decades of racing. Comfort, he’s learned, is what allows performance to last.

“I honestly believe I owe my longevity in the sport to the JCOB brand,” Ross says. “Their gear didn’t just make me faster, it kept me in the game.”