Since the recent TV prog, whos checked you fit your bike

[Psycolist]

I think, like many leisure riders, I have gone to a bike store, seen one I liked, the store has asked how tall I am, and sold you the correct size bike. Thats all the bike fitting I have ever experienced in 40 years and about 8 bikes. That small article on the new TV prog made so much sense and although was directed at road bikes, i'm sure the basics are relevant to all types of bike. The bit about 'hip roll' and saddle adjustment was so obvious when said out loud, but was nothing that ever got mentioned to me whenever I have bought a bike. That, and the way of checking the forward and backwards movement of the saddle to give best use of your leg muscles when pushing the crank around. Simply marvellous ! SO, who else has used this info or plans to do so

 

[frayBentos59]

It has opened my eyes a lot. I will be looking in to a more comprehensive fit. LBS were fantastic when buying my bikes but recent niggles are suggesting something needs looking at. Off to the spesh concept store in the next couple of weeks hopefully.

 

[Pauluk]

I just read this:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

and this:

http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html

I found them most useful and informative. I'm comfortable on my bike, just currently fine tuning my stem angle, so may be I'm lucky as I've not had to spend loads of money getting it to fit. Then again I don't do long distance road races so probably don't need anything more advanced.

 

[gaz]

Seen a few people recently that seriously need to get a bike fit.
One who looked like he was doing a superman because his stem was sooooo long.
Another who's seat was so high and set so far forward that his knees where in the wrong position and his legs where overstretched.

 

[Sandra6]

I missed that bit of the programme, but my new-found knowledge on the subject will make me a good bit more wary before hopping on a bike, handing over cash and riding it out of the shop in future!
The LBS I bought from didn't do anything at all in terms of bike sizing for me. I saw a bike I liked, sat on it, they said it was the right size for me. I said "it seems a bit small" they got a bigger one and agreed I was right. I bought the bigger bike. I wasn't entirely happy, took it back and said "I think the seat needs moving back" they moved it. Since then I've adjusted the saddle height myself (well the guys at work have!) but tbh if it weren't for them, and advice on here, I wouldn't be anywhere near "right" on the bike.

 

[jayonabike]

When I bought my last bike it included a bike fit. Once I got home I took measurements and adjusted my other bikes, so I now fit all my bikes perfectly.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

I've never sized anything, I bought my bike six years ago from a friend at work, I didnt even know what size it was, or even know what size it is now.
The only thing I did was lift the seat up, I carn't move the handle bars because they are seized.

 

[fossyant]

I set my bikes up following Bernard Hinault's book on racing and training. It was very comprehensive and does take time. Oh and if you do find your position isn't right, don't go making big adjustments in one go. Do it gradually.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

 

[numbnuts]

I gave my measurements to Robin Thorn ( http://www.sjscycles.co.uk)
a few weeks later my bike arrived it fitted me like a glove

 

[Boris Bajic]

I first found I'd goofed on saddle height when I was significantly faster on a bike borrowed from a smaller friend about 30 years ago. That's when I learned that my hips shouldn't rock. About five years later I eventually learned that big gears do not a tough guy make. I learn slowly.

I had a friend who bought a bespoke bike in Grays Inn Road in the early 80s. I was amused that they measured just about all his bones , shoulder width and IQ before building the thing. My amusement turned to envy when I saw how it fitted him and how ast he was. But he raced. Most people don't.

I don't take 'fitting' too eriously. I set saddle height myself (static) and do the plumb line thing from under my knee cap for fore-aft in the saddle. Stem length is a combination of what's comfortable and what I have availale. Bar height changes with my mood, so I don't cut the top off the tube as I know I'll be using that top bit again.

The reason I have a box of stems at home is from fitting various road bikes (43cm up) to various children as they grew. With children between 11 and 15 you might go through a lot of stems. A box of stems and some imagination allow a frame to be used well either side of its 'correct' fit.

As to going for a fitting, I think it's something I might consider if I were racing seriously or had a niggle or injury that was making riding painful.

For most riders, a professional fitting session will be an indulgence, like a pair of bespoke shoes or a beautiful painting.

The more they protest that it has, like, totally transformed their peak performance, the sweeter the smell of bullshit.

For a few it will be true.

 

[GBC]

I've signed up for this and will be going on Monday next week. It wasn't prompted by the TV programme, I booked it some time ago, but having now seen what they do, I'm probably looking forward to it a bit more than I was.

"The cycling assessment is carried out by Dr -- --, who is a specialist in biomechanics, as well as a physiotherapist and a keen cyclist. He sets up 2 video cameras and this is linked to a computer package which enables him to analyse your cycling position. He also carries out a brief physio assessment to check on your muscle and joint flexibility. He produces a written report for you with recommendations, which may include physiotherapy advice if required. It is aimed at any level of rider to improve position, relieve stress on key areas, improve injury or performance. You would bring your own bike and the session lasts around 90 minutes."

I've got no wish to go any faster than I do just now, but I would like to go more efficiently. I've found that as I approach middle age (I'm 58 past), creaks and groans have crept in and joints don't always work as well as they used to, so I'm hoping to get some useful advice in that area. I've also been experiencing some knee pain recently, which I suspect is linked to my toe clips, but it will be good to hear what an expert has to say.

 

[FatherCrowe]

For people in London, this was a interesting blog on the subjuect -

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/bike-fitting-in-london/

 

[Moodyman]

I first found I'd goofed on saddle height when I was significantly faster on a bike borrowed from a smaller friend about 30 years ago. That's when I learned that my hips shouldn't rock. About five years later I eventually learned that big gears do not a tough guy make. I learn slowly.

I had a friend who bought a bespoke bike in Grays Inn Road in the early 80s. I was amused that they measured just about all his bones , shoulder width and IQ before building the thing. My amusement turned to envy when I saw how it fitted him and how ast he was. But he raced. Most people don't.

I don't take 'fitting' too eriously. I set saddle height myself (static) and do the plumb line thing from under my knee cap for fore-aft in the saddle. Stem length is a combination of what's comfortable and what I have availale. Bar height changes with my mood, so I don't cut the top off the tube as I know I'll be using that top bit again.

The reason I have a box of stems at home is from fitting various road bikes (43cm up) to various children as they grew. With children between 11 and 15 you might go through a lot of stems. A box of stems and some imagination allow a frame to be used well either side of its 'correct' fit.

As to going for a fitting, I think it's something I might consider if I were racing seriously or had a niggle or injury that was making riding painful.

For most riders, a professional fitting session will be an indulgence, like a pair of bespoke shoes or a beautiful painting.

The more they protest that it has, like, totally transformed their peak performance, the sweeter the smell of bullshit.

For a few it will be true.

Boris - I used to look at your posts and think 'too long...jibberish...move onto the next'. But recently I made an effort to read them and feel that I owe you an apology for being too pre-judgemental.

 

[SoloCyclist]

I got my first bike fit done recently. I had been experiencing a sore knee which I could only think was down to new shoes or the fact that I was now jumping from one bike to another (commuter and weekender). What it showed was my set up was fairly spot on but my left knee (the sore one) was doing a slight figure of eight instead of up and down. An adjustment to my shoe corrected the problem and I'm now mostly pain free. More importantly it put the worry from my mind that I was doing some real damage to myself through a poorly fitting bike.

The trouble I have is that it must be a fairly subjective art. I don't know, but I'm sure if I went to another bike fitter or two, I'd get different opinions and suggestions. That said I'm happy with my results.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Not me, I knew mine fitted already as I bought it from a reputable dealer