Proper Bike Fit is key to:
Whether your bicycle is purely a recreational means of transportation or a weapon in your quest for athletic achievement in bicycle racing or triathlon, riding a machine that optimally fits you is paramount to success
Proper bicycle fit is a marriage between the riders body and the machine. Be clear that the bike must fit the rider, not the other way around. Sure, you can jump on almost any bike off the showroom floor or one you purchased on-line and ride it, but how does it feel after a few miles or more importantly, a few hours in the saddle? If the bike isn't fit properly, one or more of the key components listed above is going to be sacrificed.
Cycling is a low impact sport that can have great health and fitness benefits, but like running, it is also a highly repetitous sport in terms of movement pathways. Most cyclists turn their pedals over between 4800-6000 times in one hour of riding. Improper saddle height, saddle angle, saddle fore/aft position, cleat position, handlebar position, or aerobar position may not be immediately noticeable, but over time can lead to chronic pain or long term injury.
Achieving an optimal bike fit requires much more than simply straddling the top tube of a bike and making sure the rider has an inch or two of "clearance". Not that this frequently used method ever was remotely accurate, but with many of today's road bikes using "compact" geometries, it is scary to think some shops still rely on this method of sizing a bike for a customer.
A complete bike fitting session begins with a brief interview to assess your cycling background (if any), your future cycling goals, previous injuries, and any existing problems you might feel could be related to improper bike fit.
If you are considering the purchase of a new bike, we can use this information to take the guess work out of selecting the proper frame size. Remember that all frames have a limited amount of adjustability, beyond which, it will never be comfortable or facilitate optimum performance for the rider.
If you desire to have your current fit on an existing bike analyzed for improvements in comfort or performance, we take precise measurements of your existing bike's frame geometry as well as the current set-up of the bike (stem length and rise, saddle height, and set-back, saddle to handlebar drop, handlebar width, and aerobar position if applicable).
The next phase involves obtaining several exact body measurements along with flexibility testing to a project an acceptable bicycle geomerty and a baseline starting position for the rider.
The third step puts you and your bike on the fitting table for observation, further measurement, and any necessary revisions to your bike along with the careful monitoring of feedback from you with regards to comfort.
Major fit revisions can require a change in bike frames while minor and moderate changes can be accomplished through adjustments in the following:
Cyclists are like snowflakes. No two are exactly alike, so what may look like test-book perfect positioning on a bike may not be ideal for that rider if he or she is not comfortable. If the rider feels reasonably comfortable, the final phase is to get out and ride. Feedback from the cyclist is then used to determine if further fine tuning is in order or not.
At CycleMetrix we take the time to follow-up with every fit customer to make sure your fit has been optimized.
Testimonial: "The bike fit you provided me on the day after IM CDA 07 was terrific and has helped me a great deal. I appreciate your work every time I go for a ride." Al Olsen - Ironman CdA Competitor - Spokane, Wa.