Bike Fitting Information

"I incorporated the techniques you showed me on my rides this week-end and was AMAZED at the difference. I can honestly tell you that I enjoyed a mostly pain-free ride for the first time since I can't remember when! Thanks again so much. It was the best $$ I ever spent!" - Marsha Spear

Why do you need a bike fit? A competition grade bicycle is not cheap. Once fully outfitted, you will have probably spent thousands of dollars. In order to get the most value out of your investment your bicycle should fit you like a glove. The three main considerations in fitting a cyclist are comfort, power production, and aerodynamics. You must choose a balance and proportion of these three elements in order to achieve your optimal fit. This proportion will be based on a variety of individual characteristics such as the type of cycling you will be doing, competitive level and experience, muscle imbalances or previous injuries, and your personal biomechanics and riding style to name a just a few.

"I rode 46 miles on Sunday and 33 miles on Tuesday without the slightest bit of pain in my knee. Unbelievable!!! The setup feels good and I actually feel more relaxed on the bike. More power also." - Jim Thompson

Comfort comes first, even for a competitive cyclist. If a cyclist is very uncomfortable on their bicycle they can not produce power, period. Some discomfort is normal, but cycling should not be painful. If you are experiencing joint, back, or neck pain it is time to look at your fit or perhaps your pedaling mechanics. Saddle soreness or numbness should be addressed immediately.

"My bike never felt right. My neck, shoulders and back always hurt, and after longer rides, my knees sometimes hurt. After fitting me correctly, nothing hurts, my bike feels amazing, and climbing is easier because I have better leverage in the saddle." - Linda Silberman

Fitting you is a unique process. The fact that every person is unique does not make bike fitting easy. Some are bow-legged or duck-footed. Torso length, leg length, and arm length all vary from person to person and in proportion to each other, and sometimes vary from left to right on the same person. Backs can be rounded, swayed, or curved, and hips vary in widths. The bottom of the foot may angle inwards or outwards. It is not always appropriate to adjust your bicycle in consideration of a biomechanical condition, and knowing when and how takes a great deal of expertise.

"I felt like I was able to apply significantly more power and my lower back pain was practically nonexistent."

- Mike Morrisey

Do you suspect your bike fit is causing an injury? When you are injured, your body compensates for the injury by using different muscles to do the work of the ones in the injured area. Even after the injury heals you may continue to work in a compensatory fashion. This may be habitual and can cause a variety of problems with pedaling mechanics. Tight hamstrings can lead to lower back problems on the bike, and cycling in general can lead to muscle imbalance over time. Again, it takes a professional to diagnose and correct these issues. This may mean adjusting your fit to a more neutral position while the area is stretched or strengthened. If you are experiencing an overuse injury a professional may be able to adjust your fit to alleviate it entirely. If you are experiencing joint pain do not wait for the issue to resolve itself!

"There was such a dramatic difference in my comfort, speed and enjoyment that you may be hearing from some of my riding buddies in the next few weeks." - Jaunice Christian

What fit system is best? There are a wide variety of fitting systems that use ratios, formulas, algorithms, computer programs, etc.. These are even available online and each of these has its pros and cons. Bike shops utilize fit systems that can be performed quickly so that they can service more customers. The most important thing to remember is that every fitting system simply gives you a starting point. No computer can tell you how your bike should optimally fit because no computer knows your riding style, biomechanics, injury history, etc.. This is where the art of bike fitting begins and it takes one to one interaction with a trained professional to fit you properly.

"The bike fit is great! I can definitely tell I'm more aero now than I was previously and my speed is faster because of it. YEAH!!!!!!" - Sherry Shelton

Not just your fit but how your are riding. We can incorporate video analysis to examine how you ride before we fit you. This allows us to determine not only how you are sitting on the bike, but how you are riding it. A form issue can be causing your problem, or your fit can be causing your form issue. It is important to learn the difference before making adjustments. As you get more competitive you may desire a more aerodynamic or "agressive" position. It is important to discuss how this will impact your cycling and how your body must acclimate, individually, to the new position.

For more information or to Schedule your bike fitting

"Thanks for all of your help with the bike. I really appreciate you sharing all of your expertise and spending all of the extra time getting the fit right!"- Natalie Taylor

"Matt - You recently performed an advanced fit and added aero bars to my bike. There has been such a big difference in both my comfort and performance! I was able to cut almost 20 minutes off my Iron Girl time." -Judith Garrard

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