Copyright © 2002
Prepared by
Warren Cay
bikeNOW P/L
HOW TO FIT YOU TO YOUR BICYCLE
Easily the most important aspect of selecting a new bike is achieving the right fit. Forget the in’s and out’s of titanium, steel or aluminium, ignore the road tests and race wins. One thing matters more than anything else when you select your new bike and that is that it fits you! Many cyclists and bicycle dealers are fixed only on the size of the frame. The frame geometry (which is more than just the size of the frame) is only important when adjusting the bicycle, in order to get the three contact parts of the body in the right interrelated proportion. Although we are setting up bikes for body position, when selecting a bike one should also consider handling (frame geometry) and rider comfort (shoes, seat and bars).
True, setting up your ideal position on a bike takes some time, and can be difficult. Why? We cyclists hear conflicting advice, and conflicting formulas, on sizing and positioning. Variances in body sizes and proportions, in levels of fitness and flexibility, in technique and style, all affect a cyclist’s best position on the bike.
Where do you learn how to fit yourself correctly on the bike? I have found useful sizing and positioning information from;
- Coaches and racers like Eddie Borysewicz, Greg LeMond
- Racing since 1973
- Working in the retail Bicycle Industry from 1986 fitting riders to their bikes
- Teaching and Coaching MTB and Road skills
- Research of other peoples methods during my cycling career.
Although it may seem like rocket science because there are so many measurables, there is a fundamental simplicity that we are working with for your position on the bike with only three points of contact between you and the bike, Crank, Seat and Handlebar relationships. Fitting from body measurements can provide a good starting position. However, to set you up on a bike that feels like a natural extension of yourself we may need to make minor adjustments, to allow for individual flexibility, range of motion, and other bio-mechanical variations.
The best frame size for a cyclist is as small vertically as possible, with enough length horizontally to allow a stretched out, relaxed upper body. This frame will be lighter and stiffer than a larger one, and will handle better and be more comfortable than a smaller one.
The formulas discussed here relate to fitting for "normal" road and mountain bike for sport / performance riding. Time-trial, triathlon, criterium, cross country are closely related for position, other special events like Downhill, Dual Slalom and BMX have differing requirements, although they are related.
One of the objections your local shop may have to your purchasing a bike through the mail is that it cannot be fitted correctly. For the resourceful cyclist, the opposite is true. The retail shop often offers a cursory fit that involves the customer standing over the top tube of a few bikes on the floor; frames 5cm (2 inches) apart without consideration to the top tube length; no stem sizing, no bar sizing, no options. Compare that with the program we have for you. With your measurements bikeNOW can offer quality fit that may only need a little fine tuning for the meticulous rider.
We guarantee the fit of your new bike with this simple promise: After you've ridden your new bike for a few days, let us know if you need to swap the bar or stem, or make other adjustments, and we'll make it right for you.
