There are many things you can neglect as a cyclist. Having a proper bike fit is one of those.
Bike fitting, not to be confused with bike sizing, is the science of ensuring that all the adjustable components of the bicycle are properly suited for the individual rider. Bike sizing, for clarification, is generally ensuring that the right size bike is selected before the adjustments are made.
I saw pictures of myself from a ride last year and thought that I looked ‘wadded up’ when compared to other riders. I was.
I talked with my local bike shop to schedule a bike fitting, and was surprised to learn that my last fitting was in December of 2009! My body had undergone some changes in that time, and home maintenance resulted in the saddle height lowering over time.
In a normal lunch break, Gearhead Cycle House’s Jason Broadaway ran me through the paces. He measured various aspects of my body, talked about any issues I was having on the bike and then put me on the trainer. Combining several fit certifications and the latest in computer technology, Jason recorded footage of me riding before the adjustments.
We talked about posture, comfort and output before making miniscule adjustments on the bike. By raising my saddle by 2 cm, the position of my head and the arch in my back was corrected. As you can see from the image, this also improved the extension of my legs at the top of my stroke and put me in a position that will be significantly more comfortable on longer rides. This should also improve my performance.
This fit isn’t just for someone looking to squeeze out a few more Watts, however. Proper bike fit is important for any rider. Accordingly, local bike shops like Gearhead have levels of service. This ranges from bike sizing, which will help you determine saddle height, stem length and body position, to the pro bike fit, which delves deeper into the nuances of the anatomical fit.
If a fitting can do anything, it can make your riding experience more comfortable. That can be used as a springboard to accomplish goals such as longer rides or going faster.
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