INTERVIEW
The interview is quite possibly the most important part of a bike fit.There are so many different types of cyclists on different types of bikes, some may ride once a month others may do 20hrs a week. The bike fit process relies solely on the information gathered at this point.Here are a few pointers to give you a idea of information which will be needed.
Reason for your bike fit?
Height ,age,weight?
lifestyle information ,married,single,children etc?
Hours on bike & frequency of riding?
Gym routine & stretching routine if any?
Riding type Road,tri,iron tri,casual/commuter,TT,mountain?
Rider leval recreational-race/elite?
Cycling strengths?
Cycling improvements?
Goals?
Prior injurys?
On bike discomfort?
Off bike discomfort?
FOOT ASSESSMENT
The foot assessment requires the size difference between feet,arch height at rest then arch height stood up. The size difference of your feet can heavily influence cleat positioning, while arch drop can encourage knee movement through the pedal stroke , this can be corrected idealy with sidas footbeds & wedges.
FLEXABILITY & SHOULDER WIDTH
The shoulder width is now measured to give a direct measurement for handlebar width , while a full flexability assessment is done on the massage table to give hamstring & hip flexion angles. Assessment is also taken of your natural back shape as we don’t all have flat backs, attaining a flat back on your cycle is not always possible .These angles are very important as they dictate the position you are able to recreate on the bike without causing hip rocking & shoulder movement.
MEASUREMENT OF EXISTING CYCLE
It is important to measure the existing cycle as then you can see in black & white where any change in position has occured. The adjustable stem & bars are then put on your cycle in this position.
BIKE FIT
The bike fitting now starts after a 10min warm up. As you warm up a visual assessment is made as to any movement in hips, shoulder,ankles or knees ,a laser ball may be used as a accurate assessment tool. All the measurments of leg angles, hip angles, seat position and knee over pedal are taken. Your position will then start to take shape as these numbers are adjusted with saddle fore/aft, height & level while stem length & height will be adjusted with a fork adjuster & adjustable stem. Advice on crank length is often given at this point.The position aimed for relies totally on the interview information at the start of the process as positions are very different for a casual cyclist to an elite cyclist.
CLEAT POSITION & KNEE TRACKING
This is always done after the bike fit as quite often the change in position on the bike can sort out alot of knee tracking you may have. If it has not, footbeds are the 1st port of call as they support your whole foot where wedges adjust the angle of your foot without support to your arch. Idealy wedges should be used after a footbed if they are still neccassary.
Cleat position can now be adjusted so you are stroking through the ball of your feet evenly on left & right there are measurments involved once again to attain difference between feet. Float on the pedals is also measured , quite often if there is no float left on your cleats due to incorrect setup knee & hip issues can occur.
FINAL SET UP & MEASUREMENT
Throughout this whole process the interaction between the bike fitter & customer is paramout to attaining the best position, for example the science may suggest a certain position for the customer but if the rider is 80 years young & been riding 60 of them there body may suggest its not comfortable .Situations like this must always be listened to as you both want the the most comfortable position producing the most power output while attaining a safe riding position. Everybody is an individual this is not a one size fits all process. Once the position is finalised measurments will then be taken in the same way as before to show the movement on paper. Follow up e-mails are often sent after 3 weeks to check on progress .