Bike fitting FAQs Part 1

Q  A friend of mine said i need to be able to see my front hub when i am sat on a bike!! is this true?

A  This simple way of judging reach was thought of back when bike fitting was in a very primitive form, These days the measurements used for bike set up should be based more on the bodies natural angles and flexibility due to the fact that every person has very different dimensions.

Q I have been told that i have to keep my heels down when i ride but why do i find this difficult no matter how much i try.

A  Everybody has different levels of body flexibility especially through the lower leg i.e. calf and the Achilles tendon. The more flexible you are through these areas the more likely you will be able to keep your heels lower when you ride. I would be more focused on keeping your pedal revolutions consistent rather than put too much emphasis on wether your heels are up or down, remember to ride naturally, have your saddle height set with your heel at its most natural point to ensure that your knee is at its optimum angle for comfort and increased power.

Q My Back and shoulders always hurt when i ride my road bike but not my mountain bike! Why is this and does this mean i should stop riding my road bike?

A The set up on your road bike is most likely much lower at the front end than your mountain bike putting excess pressure through your lower back and also straining your traps and shoulders. It is important to remember that the average cyclists drop from saddle to handlebars is between 3cm-7cm depending on their body dimensions and general fitness/flexibility. I would recommend having an experienced bike fitter taking a look at your existing set up and possibly raising your front end to relieve the strain on your back, I am sure this will make a huge difference to your riding enjoyment.

Q I have been told i will fit a 54cm frame, does this mean any  frame that size will fit me?

A I wish i was that simple. Unfortunately every bike manufacturer will measure their bikes in a different way, also there are many other factors to consider which are just as important as the general size, these include seat angle  (This can alter a top tube length by more than a couple of centimeters in some cases) Head tube length is also an important factor. Somebody with longer leg length and shorter less flexible torso will need a front end that is a lot higher than somebody that has shorter legs and a longer more flexible torso.

Bike Fitting FAQs Part 2 Next time on the Cycle Clinic.