Well, here we are in late February and personally, I'm hoping spring is right around the corner! With spring will come longer rides on the bike. I know I have some friends who are newer to cycling, and some friends who are looking at buying a new bike. I can not stress the importance of a professional bike fit enough. It will help you get the most out of your riding time, with the least amount of discomfort and pain. Those small nagging aches and pains can truly suck the joy out of those long rides.
It is important to remember that bikes come in a limited number of sizes. Riders do not. But there are dozens of small adjustments that a professional bike fitter can make to get your bike to fit you perfectly. A good bike fit will accomplish several things. These include
- Improve overall rider comfort
- Help prevent cycling-induced repetitive stress injuries
- Reduce or eliminate back, knee, neck and wrist pain
- Reduce or eliminate “hot foot”
- Reduce or eliminate saddle discomfort and genital numbness
- Reduce or eliminate numbness in the hands and fingers
- Reduce rider fatigue
During a bike fit, a professional fitter will look at many different things. The first thing they should do is just talk to you. Find out about your cycling history, your goals, how much you plan to ride, what type of riding, and if you have had or currently have any injuries. Then, if you haven't bought a bike yet, the fitter may have you sit on and try many different bikes to see how they feel, or they may use what is known as a "fit bike" This is a stationary bike that allows numerous adjustments to be made to the frame, pedals, handle bars, etc. In this way you may be able to find what measurements feel good to you, then you can look for a specific bike that fits you. If you already have a bike, or once you have chosen one, the fitter can put that bike on a trainer and then make the necessary adjustments to make it fit you. Depending on your goal, a proper fit might be the one that generates the most power, or it might be the one that is the most comfortable. Most people like to find a good compromise between the two.
A typical fitting can include setting clipless pedal cleats in the correct orientation and position if you are using clipless pedals, setting your seat height and position, evaluating shoes and insoles and determining correct stem length, handlebar height and handlebar width. It is important that you take your riding gear with you to a fit. Whatever you are going to wear while riding should be worn during a bike fit.
Schedule your fit as early in the season as possible. This will allow your training rides to feel better and be more productive, and it will allow your body to become used to the position and get stronger. It is also a good idea to go back to the fitter once or twice as your body adapts to the position. You may be able to find adjustments to add to your comfort or power. Both of which can greatly add to your enjoyment. Check around with different shops and see what they offer, how much they charge, and what is included if you buy a bike. Remember, professional bike racers can get incredibly faster by making adjustments involving millimeters. A professional fit is a cost that will pay for itself with increased comfort and fun!
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