Bicycle Sizing and Fit

By Wm. Jim Bennett, PTA

La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.

. http://laplatapt.com/

More Weight Control, Nutrition & Exercise Articles

Bicycle Sizing and Fit

Bicycle sizing and fit is considered part science and part art. If the cyclist has the correct sized frame, then fitting the cyclist to the bike becomes easier. The cyclist frequently stops at the sizing stage and never progresses on to the fit stage.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a weekend warrior, a bicycle enthusiast, a triathlete or a racer, getting the right fit is like having a suit tailor made to fit you. The right fit will help to increase your performance and reduce fatigue and injuries. Of course, sleep and diet play an important part of the equation as well.

The human body adapts to a bad position and becomes fairly efficient in that bad position. If we reposition the cyclist into a proper position then we might see a decrease in his performance initially.

It’s important to factor in the cyclist’s ability and current position before making changes to their bike. Equally important to remember is that sizing is simply finding the right sized bike and that fitting is an evolutionary process that changes as a result of many factors such as conditioning, experience, diet, age, injuries etc. The list is endless.

The bicycle fit specialist will perform a baseline fit. Any changes subsequent to the baseline are tracked so that the evolution is documented. The fit process may take a number of tests and re-tests.

Three methodologies are available to the bicycle fit specialist.

A basic static fit takes into account areas on the bike that the person interfaces with pedals, saddle and handlebars. The evaluation of those areas is done using static measurements of the individual as he interfaces with the bike.

A motion capture video while riding the bike on a stationary trainer allows the bicycle fit specialist to study the bicyclist while in motion and replay any particular anomaly during the test that needs to be corrected.

The latest fitting techniques permit the bicycle fit specialist to make real time changes to the fit, while the bicyclist is pedaling on a reconfigurable machine that simulates a bike.

If a cyclist feels uncomfortable on their bike, it might not be because the bike is the wrong size. There are many factors that a qualified bicycle fit specialist can assess to improve the quality of your bicycling experience. Get the most enjoyment from your cycling experience and make an appointment with a qualified bicycle fit specialist today.