Bike Fit

[Drago]

Some folk get a more significant result with bike fits than others do, for the simple reason they were so far out to begin with. I was about 98% there already so felt little benefit, whereas other riders might be miles out and rave about the improvement. That's very simple when you think about it.

For us as road riders nothing is more important than comfort in a fit. Nothing. For a track cyclist who is riding for 5 or 6 minutes at a time then biomechanical efficiency may take more of a priority as the rider may be prepared to suffer some discomfort for such a short prior, but for us in public everything else is a secondary consideration. A bike fit specialist can make reasonable generalisations, but only you can say for sure what will be comfortable for you.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Some folk get a more significant result with bike fits than others do, for the simple reason they were so far out to begin with. I was about 98% there already so felt little benefit, whereas other riders might be miles out and rave about the improvement. That's very simple when you think about it..

That begs the question why are some cyclists willing to ride for ages on uncomfortable fatigue-inducing bikes? Don't they ask themselves why they are getting tired out quickly or feeling aches and pains? Anything more than about a quarter of an inch wrong on the saddle height is very noticeable to my thigh muscles and I soon do something about it.
When I get on a new-to-me bike that I haven't ridden before I can generally tell within the first few hundred yards if something is significantly maladjusted, so I cannot for the life of me understand how some riders can tolerate months or even years on a really badly fitting machine. You wouldn't drive your car for a whole year if your knees were banging the dash or you had to point your toes to use the clutch, without adjusting the seat would you?

 

[screenman]

Some people enjoy spending and have the income to back it up, others for some reason hoard it.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Some people enjoy spending and have the income to back it up, others for some reason hoard it.

Or for balance, don’t have it in the first place. If I had it I would spend it

 

[screenman]

Or for balance, don’t have it in the first place. If I had it I would spend it

That is honesty.

 

[Racing roadkill]

It is a different type of logic. The new theory is if they can make it feel uncomfortable you will cycle that much faster to get it over quicker.

Many a true word spoken in jest.

 

[Racing roadkill]

If a bike fit shows several changes need to be made and someone has been riding like that for some time it can be better to make those changes a little at a time to allow the body to adapt to a new position gradually - rather than doing it all at once and then it feels 'wrong' even if it isn't if you get my drift.

Quite right.

 

[capricapers]

It is a different type of logic. The new theory is if they can make it feel uncomfortable you will cycle that much faster to get it over quicker.

>> Haha! Top prize for the wittiest answer and yes you are 100% corrrct. For the first time ever, I was watching the Wahoo and guessing how many more miles of that ‘torment’ were left!

 

[youngoldbloke]

It is a different type of logic. The new theory is if they can make it feel uncomfortable you will cycle that much faster to get it over quicker.

Isn't that how time-trial bikes work?

 

[Racing roadkill]

Isn't that how time-trial bikes work?

Very much so

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Some people enjoy spending and have the income to back it up, others for some reason hoard it.

Spending is fine so long as you get something to show for it and it offers decent VFM. Chucking money down the drain in return for bugger all is not a sensible way to carry on, especially if you haven't got it to spare in the first place.

 

[screenman]

Spending is fine so long as you get something to show for it and it offers decent VFM. Chucking money down the drain in return for bugger all is not a sensible way to carry on, especially if you haven't got it to spare in the first place.

Your idea of VFM is as we know different to what many others think. As for spending money you do not have I agree 100% with that, of course there are more than enough people out there with it too spend.

 

[nickAKA]

I know what you mean - I’m far from a pro - but this fit was free as they promised it to me as we bought two bikes. And I was told by the people in the shop: ‘ If you like and can ride fast on your bike and get good results NOW, they will be even better after the bike fit.’ Sadly, that’s not the case. I did have some shoulder pains and I think that was due to sub-optimal position and over-extending my arms.

My one & only gripe early on was numbness in my hands & fingers which I put down to having too much weight on the bars. I've got the saddle as far back as I can due to having longish thighs and consequently I am leaning forward and reaching a bit, which I can't do a lot about. I reduced the stem length 20mm and raised it by 15mm - that made a significant difference to comfort with the added benefit that I can comfortably get on the drops for longish periods now. All trial & error.