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Bike Fitting Basics |
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Ask most riders what size bike they ride and they'll usually tell you the length of the seat tube: "54cm", "21 inches", whatever. But pull a 54cm frame down off the rack and hand it to them. Will if fit? Not likely. Even the best custom-made frame won't fit unless the saddle and bars are in exactly the right spot. Fact is, even off-the-rack frames can deliver great fit if they're adjusted correctly. You're the motor. The bars, pedals and saddle are the motor mounts. Getting a bike fitted means getting the motor mounts positioned so that your power gets converted into motion - instead of being slammed back into you as pain. This relationship between the "motor mounts" is your actual size. That's what the FitStik measures. Your size. For a detailed description of the FitStik, click here. If you're satisfied with how you bike fits - great; grab a FitStik and measure that setup now - it'll take about 2 minutes. Once you've got those measurements, you can use a FitStik as a precision jig to dial-in that position on virtually any bike. New bikes. Team bikes. Rentals. Loaners. Whatever. Regardless of tube sizes, angles, geometry, etc. The FitStik makes transferring positions from bike to bike easy. But what if you don't have a position worth transferring? Getting fit comes before staying fit. The FitStik can be used for accurate anatomical measurements such as inseam, torso length and arm length. Hundreds of bike shops use FitStiks for fit measurements every day. Most bike fitting systems start with these measurements. To keep things simple (and if you've got a complicated fit problem or chronic pain, stop right now and go see a bike fitter) a table printed on the back of the FitStik converts Inseam to frame size and saddle height based on the LeMond System (This or a variation serves as the foundations of most commercial fitting systems). Combined with a simple plumb bob to set knee position, this can provide an excellent starting position on the road to perfect fit. The technique is described in detail on the Colorado Cyclist's Fitting Page, as well as in Greg LeMond's Complete Book of Bicycling. Many well-known formulas convert torso and arm length measurements to total reach (length of top tube + stem). For example, for a road bike sport/racing position:
It should be noted that while fitting systems based on measurements can provide a good starting position, most riders will need to "tweak" their position to adjust for individual flexibility, range of motion, and other bio-mechanical variations. Measurements made with the FitStik can also be plugged into various on-line fitting calculators that can provide pretty detailed suggestions as to how your bike and it's components should be set up for you. Generally, formulas and fitting systems can get you in the ballpark. For some riders, just riding - allowing the body to adapt to a new position, is all that's needed to iron out the kinks. the body can adapt to the position. But for most of us, getting dialed-in takes a bit of tweaking those motor mounts - small changes: a little up, a little back, a tiny shift in seat angle, etc. Getting the details right can make appreciable differences in performance or comfort. The FitStik can help two ways: First, if changes you try don't work, you can get back where you started. In other words, measure your setup with the FitStik, then start tweaking - and measure the changes too. If a change works, great. If not, reset the bike to a prior position. Second, changes that do work can be repeated at will, now, or in the future. You may have a different position in the Spring, and another in the Fall, based on differences in fitness level and what you're doing (coming back from a Winter hiatus versus mid-season, etc.). Accurate and consistent measurements bridge the gap between guesswork and performance. IS THERE ONE PERFECT POSITION? To reiterate and expand on the previous comments on tweaking, for most riders, no one position is perfect for all times, places and events. As you change, or what you're doing changes, your position changes. For example, during the course of a single ride most of us slide back and forth to bring different muscle groups into play, allow other muscle to rest, maximize power, etc. Over the long term, health, flexibility, strength, fitness and motivation all alter your position. What works great in the Spring may not work mid-season, let alone next year. However, at any given time, a properly fit bike provides a relaxed, neutral "home" position to which the body naturally returns, in which powerful repetitive motions (pedaling) can be done for extended periods. We spend most of our riding time there. Knowing, and maintaining your "home position" at any time maximizes performance, improves training results, and reduces the risk of injury. Details of Inseam measurement and fitting with a FitStik This link takes you to a page with detailed instructions for use of the FitStik to measure Inseam, select frame size, and set saddle height. ====== |
