This article focuses on the on-road bicycle fitting not on-bike sizing. Both descriptions are often intertwined, but they are different. Fitting a road bike works well when you begin with a bicycle that is your size or almost your size. The connection points (contact points) are vital when fitting a road bike. The connection points include the left right hands, the pelvis, the left right foot. So even if the bicycle is not the right size, so long as the contact points are in the right place, you will still attain a comfortable good bike fit. The right bike fit has a lot to do with the stem, hoods, brake levers, handlebars, saddle, and, most significantly, pedals, cleats, shoes.
Get the proper equipment within the right range to achieve an efficient proper bike fit.
The Bike is Symmetrical. The Human Body is not.
Getting the contact points in the right range is the starting point of a bicycle fit. After fitting the points in the right areas, you must also fine-tune every connection. You must fine-tune assess the bicycle parts as it meets your body. This is because bikes are symmetrical, the human body is not.
For instance, at hand, the fact that you have the right-angled stem length does not imply that you have the correct size shape of the handlebar, brake lever, bar rotation/tilt, their location on the handlebars. Or, when fitting the feet, the fact that you’ve set the clear aft/fore position does not imply that its stance width, tilt, rotation are correct. The best result between your bike the connection you have with it is when the bike disappears. Once the bike is no longer noticeable the only thing you can think of is the scenery, your ride, or your company, then you’ve achieved a perfect bike fit. Although a rider may care less about the scenery, he cares more about his speed position while racing. When the racer is unconscious about the bike he is riding, he’s experiencing a good fit.
Getting Started with a Bike Fit
As earlier mentioned, the racer’s body contacts the bike at five different points: feet, hands, pelvis. The hands, pelvis feet location greatly impacts the efficiency comfort of the bike. There are various tools on a bicycle. These tools are adjusted or used to get the ideal position on the bike:
- Feet – Cycling shoes, cleats, pedals, sometimes crank arm length.
- Pelvis – Tilt fore/aft. Height, saddle, occasional cycling shorts.
- Hands – Brake levers, handlebars, hoods connected through a stem.
Find the Right Bike Fitter What to Expect in a Bike Fit
Although the bike fitter checks you out during the fit, how you feel about the fit is important. You are the only person that understands the way you feel about the fit. A fit may seem great, but you need to let the bike fitter know if it doesn’t feel right. If you don’t quite
Sometimes, even a simple drawing can help you describe the way you feel. An experienced fitter will not be afraid to answer your questions. He will explain the feedback you are giving him why he’s recommending an adjustment.
