Why think about bike fit?
Many people, perhaps you included, are getting into (or getting back into) riding bikes these days. When you buy a bike, the shop usually helps you get the seat height roughly right. People seem to assume that, if the bike doesn’t feel perfect when the shop sizes it, that it’s just how the bike is. Often, however, that new bike could feel and ride so much more nicely.
As a new cyclist, there are many questions about this you may not know to ask. Even experienced cyclists will have questions about their bike fit:
“How do I know my fit is right?”
“How do I know if my fit can be better?”
“I had my fit done professionally, maybe the problem is me?”
If you’ve ever seen someone appear at-one with their bike, you know what a good fit looks like. So let’s break these questions down for how you and your own bike go together.
What is a bike fit?
It’s more than making sure the seat is the right height for you (although this can and should get very specific). A bike fit helps manipulate contact points, or where your body and bike meet, to ensure the bike conforms to how your body wants to pedal and ride, so it feels like an extension of you.
Your feet are the most fixed contact point, although there’s more to adjust here than meets the eye, and you should even consider how you set up the inside of your shoes. Your hips on the saddle are also somewhat fixed, in the sense that late in a ride or with hard efforts, you’ll tend to settle into a consistent spot. Your hands can of course be almost anywhere, but you may notice that you and your hands also tend to settle into the same spots when you’re tired or working hard. Your bike fit process should account for this.
Just like with a running analysis (scroll down to read Questions Answered: Running Analysis), you should warm up and settle in. Pay close attention to what you feel – where are your pressure points? Is some part of you working too hard, or carrying what feels like more pressure or tension? This feedback will help your fitter tremendously.
How do I know my fit is right?
At low speeds or efforts, the bike should almost pedal itself, and your legs should almost feel like they’re pedaling automatically. Just like with running, ask yourself these questions:
Do I feel efficient on the bike?
Am I riding pain-free?
Does my fit work for the type of riding I’m doing? (Distance, terrain, etc.)
How do I know my fit can be improved?
If you can’t answer “yes” to all three questions above, you may have room to improve. You may also want to have another look at your bike fit if you or your body have changed. Consider changes over time such as:
Experience and fitness – did you do a lot more or a lot less riding or racing this year?
Strength and flexibility – as these change, your body may want to move differently
Lifestyle off the bike – are you sitting more, or have your priorities changed?
How much you ride – the more you ride, the more “dialed” your bike fit needs to feel
What kind of riding you do – different types call for different “body English”, and possible tweaks to your fit
Ultimately, your body’s needs change with time, so your bike fit should be dynamic as well.
Who should I get a bike fit from?
Word-of-mouth is a good place to start. If one name comes up among riders of a variety of backgrounds and body types, that person may be worth a call.
Certified fit systems by major manufacturers introduce some measure of quality control as well. However, the expense of certification is prohibitive to some fitters, so a non-certified individual may often still be of great help to you.
If you have or have had pain or an injury, be very discerning. There are even physical therapists in the cycling community, or who are well-versed in cycling biomechanics, and they too can be a great asset to you.
Concluding thoughts
Similarly to getting a running analysis, a bike fit is not a black-magic process, but there are many pieces involved. Above all, your bike fit should be a collaborative process. The person who helps you should strongly consider your feedback throughout, and be willing to go down to the degree or millimeter with you. After all, only you can feel what your body is doing, and your input and instincts are important.
