with contributions from Chris Richardson, Owner/Master fitter, Bike Doctor of Waldorf
This post is one in a
series over the next few weeks detailing bike fitting and saddles from my
perspective as an athlete and a physical therapist.
Spring is here and it’s time to dust off the bike or perhaps
invest in one, to go and enjoy the wind in your helmet, soak in the beauty of
nature and get a little workout in the process.
BUT you say, “I don’t like riding my bike because it isn’t comfortable. My seat isn’t comfortable, my hands/wrists
hurt, my back, neck, and knees hurt when I do try and ride for more than 10
miles if I even make it that far.”
NEWSFLASH: cycling does not need to CAUSE you pain and
discomfort. If it does after trying to
ride, then it may very well be your bike fit.
If your body still rejects the whole notion especially if pain exists
beyond cycling, then maybe you have more going on than what a good bike fit
will give you. Consult your friendly
physical therapist or doctor (preferably one that understands cycling) for an
assessment and maybe even have them collaborate with the fitter to ensure you
are fitted properly to your bike. Still
don’t think you need to be fit to your bike?
Read on.
What is bike fitting?
Bike fitting has evolved into a much more complex process
than in years past. It’s a science of
balancing: comfort, power and aerodynamics (particularly in triathlon or time
trial events).
There are numerous bike fit methods or disciplines to fit a
bike to meet your body’s unique, individual needs. A very experienced fitter will have thousands
of fits under his/her belt, and invested into a diverse educational “tool box”
of different perspectives/approaches to help attack even the toughest
fits. There are high tech tools like
dynamic fit bikes, saddle pressure mapping sensors, and motion analysis systems
that help “dial in” a rider to their bikes and/or help in determining what
bikes may best suit their needs. However, no matter the tools used, a great
bike fit should not be dependent upon these high tech tools available to
fitters; it is the philosophy and application of their education to fit a rider
to their bike. In other words, it’s more
about the person doing the work which defines a great fitter not the technology,
or in some cases, lack of technology utilized.
A basic bike fit should measure the physical dimensions of
the rider. Precise measurements
determine the length of a rider’s legs, upper body and arms along with
flexibility. The physical assessment, which
may include additional steps or data depending on the type of fitting
discipline used and how advanced the process is, provides information to the
rider and fitter over what sizes and frame geometries work best. This information also helps fitters determine
how the rider should be “addressing” the bike.
Some riders can sustain a more “leaned over” riding position while
others need a more “relaxed” position.
The fit provides guidelines for determining what’s best for each rider.
Who needs a bike fitting?Bike fitting is not just for people who race bikes (Pros and elite amateurs alike). Everyone, including the average Joe going for a leisurely weekend ride with the family, or local club riders, looking to ride without pain and discomfort will benefit from a proper fit.
Why get a bike fit?
Your bike doesn’t have to be a torture device that you just
“get used to”. Technique and ideal
biomechanics minimizes DISCOMFORT, INJURY and PAIN. A good bike fit optimizes your biomechanics
for efficiency which leads to overall COMFORT.
It also optimizes performance for those that need to feed those
competitive impulses, if that’s the goal.
The overly simplistic method of stand over height (stand
over the top tube of the bike, check the distance between it and your crotch)
in determining the correct size of the bike isn’t accurate nor a good method to
determine whether you and the bike are a good match. Manufacturers design bikes with varying frame
geometries (lengths of top tube and seat tube lengths among them being the main
factors). Finding the right “chassis,”
or frame size serves as the starting point to build around. It can be a confusing venture, but critical
to ensure your overall comfort to enjoy your cycling experience. If a shop sizes you to a bike with the stand
over and check crotch clearance method, it is best to turn around and walk
out. You need a foundation to build on
for maximum comfort and performance. A poor foundation rarely yields optimal
results, so you might as well do it right the first time rather than find out
the hard way. You deserve to be
comfortable, so don’t sell yourself short.
Many reputable local shops offer basic bike fits included
with the purchase of your new steed. You
aren’t only paying for the bike, the fit, and the annual tune up, but for the
experience and maybe a lasting relationship with your local shop. Big retail shops rarely have a fitter in
house to insure you are getting the bike that actually fits you. Find a shop that has your best interests in
mind, finding a bike that meets YOUR needs.
On the flip side, let’s say you have a bike but you either:
1) You aren’t happy with your current fit
(previously fitted but never really comfy and the fitter rushed you out the
door when you were done)2) You were never fit (bought the bike and did a google fit with the latest bike fit app or you just flat out bought the bike set the seat height to what you thought was ok and off you went)
OR
3) You want more from your fit (decent position, overall comfortable, but is there more I could do? Ie optimize to maximize performance)
Personally, I fall into the last category and maybe a smidge
into the first category. As an elite age
group triathlete, I want to maximize my potential. The fitter of my (and your) choosing needs to
be able to meet the high expectations and needs of the rider, take the time to
do a proper fit, and build a rapport. Your
bike fit is only as good as the fitter you work with, so your feedback during
the session is critical to ensure you are comfortable, so speak up. Google searches for reviews, recommendations
from various cycling forums, and word of mouth are great resources to seek bike
fitters in your area. Or in my case, fitters
who know how to fit triathletes to their bike.
If I’m gonna to pay for a service/product, I want my hard earned money
to be well spent. I’m willing to pay a
little extra for great service and a quality product. The old saying, “you pay for what you get” is
true in every sense of the phrase. I
have been known to go out of my way, be damned convenience, to have a service
done because I want to be treated well and work with the best.
So, what’s your comfort, experience, and relationship worth
to you?
