Importance Of The Fit

Cycling

As cyclists, we tend to spend dozens of hours on our bikes whether it be commuting, group rides, training, or races. Many of us have not explored the benefits of a proper Bike Fit and what it can do for us. If you have ever noticed Low Back Pain, Numb Hands, Inability to ride for long terms, and the other things that may inhibit us from going on the rides we love.
Well, a Fit may be the thing that gets you up and cycling again.

A "Proper Fit" should target performance, maintaining or improving body symmetry on the bicycle, and overall comfort especially when you are cycling for long periods. Bikefits should be as custom as the actual process one may take when purchasing their bike because every individual body is unique.

First off, most people explore getting into clipless pedals because it improves performance, gaining the ability to equally apply power pulling your cranks upward maybe the biggest advantage. The Pedal and shoe systems come in many varieties some shed mud easily, others allow for movement which is great for turning the ankles and some are great for avid spinners. When choosing a system to be fitted on you must understand the type of riding you look to do, and what benefits each system offers to your style of riding, and where you will be riding. We are not trying to cut as much weight off our bikes but trying to become “one” with them.

• SpeedPlay- are great for those seeking float (movement in the ankles)
• Crank Brothers- Are stellar for off-roaders because they Shed Mud well
• Shimano- Simple Pedal systems that are great for any level of rider, even Spinners

It Starts at the Pedal when fitting it is the first contact we make with our bikes. The balance of our feet on our pedals Keeps us from riding Toe down or "heel below the pedal" helping to limit injuries that can occur in the ankle and prevent numbness in the feet, ankle, and knees. Few tweaks can improve comfort on the bike, help mitigate pain, and balance the muscles being used to cycle. The pedals are the most important part of interacting with our bikes.

Next, the saddle system supports our weight and is essential to keeps the pelvis in a nice neutral position. The longer your ride the more you will rely on the saddle to keep you comfortable throughout the journey. The saddle can move forward and backward to help adjust the muscle groups that power your ride and limit pain or injuries to the knee and low back. Changing out the seat-post for a setback post can help make your bike more relaxing and prevent the need to change your saddle position as well. There are a wide variety of Saddles to have their own benefits, there is a set up for the cross-country rider that would be too lax for a track rider and may not be suitable for a road back.

Lastly, the cockpit maintains the reach and the upper body position of the cyclist. Every position suits a particular style of riding. When fitting for reach we consider the stem length which helps with spacing within the cockpit, if your elbow is too close your knees may be crowded and too far your arms locked out. The stack high of the stem/bar system helps with body positioning and should be considered for drop bars. At times you can change the stem angle opening space for your “drivetrain”.

The BikeFit has many parts, and when considering your fit make sure the specialist you work with is knowledgeable. It is Crucial that they understand your body before it's on the bike more so then what type of riding you are into. Be sure to test your new fit much like you test out your bike after its purchase.