realskiers

Other Stuff => Biking and other Non-Skiing Activities => Topic started by: Ron on June 15, 2010, 01:51:14 pm


Title: Bike fitting experience
Post by: Ron on June 15, 2010, 01:51:14 pm
I have a 2004 Trek Fuel 98, it came with full XTR (XT brakes) and Rolf dolomite tubeless wheels- nice free upgrades. I ride XC, nothing crazy, still trying to learn. I was off my bike due to injuries during ski seasons for about 3 years!  I don't want to buy a new bike, this one seems more than adequate for my needs. So finally, i started to ride again last summer. I was not feeling like I was dialed in and decided to take it to a fitter to see if I could improve the fit. I was feeling cramped in bike and I would get sore knees.  This was a simple fitting, $30 from a local shop.

 

What did they do for $30?  after evaluating pedal stroke angle, I was at 50 degrees, they moved the seat up about 2-3" to get me to 35 degrees, Then after some riding on the trainer, they did some other measurements with a plumb-bob and ended up moving the seat back about 2cm's.  then the adjusted the brakes by lowering them to better allign my wrist/hand/arms.

 

One thing I did last year with the help of some here was to buy a 115 stem, turns out it was the right lenght!

 

So, after all that I rode on the trainer a few minutes and could really tell a difference in efficeincy and could feel there was much less pressure on the quads.  I am riding tomorrow AM on a tame trail but I hope to notice a difference.

 

Bottom-line: All I can say is if you haven't been fitted, you need to go to a pro. Thanks to Greg Merz for the suggestion! BTW- the boy has a sweet new ride!
Title: Re: Bike fitting experience
Post by: jim-ratliff on June 15, 2010, 02:31:47 pm

That sounds like a tremendous value for the $30.
Title: Re: Bike fitting experience
Post by: Ron on June 15, 2010, 02:34:53 pm
yes, but more importantly will be added speed, efficiency, handling and overall imprved riding experience. If I ever get around to getting out my roadie, I will have to take that bike up as well. 
Title: Re: Bike fitting experience
Post by: jim-ratliff on June 15, 2010, 09:06:45 pm

Absolutely Agreed!!  Lynn doesn't know the technical stuff like the angles, but she's ridden with enough high-end riders (Doug's training partners) to have a pretty good eye for what looks right.  I can't believe how much difference it made when she had me raise my seat 1" and move my seat forward a bit (maybe an inch).  The seat change made a big change in going uphill (although I still suck at hills).

Title: Re: Bike fitting experience
Post by: midwif on June 16, 2010, 08:13:15 am

Hi Ron

sounds like your summer is going well!

Long ago I had an official bike fitting.
I still remember some of the rules of thumb.
Elbow on tip of bike seat should result in tip of fingers mid-stem.
Seat high enough for only a small bend at knee when at full extension with foot in the horizontal position (good to know 35 deg again,  I had forgotten, thanks).

Higher end bike shops know how to do it as part of the bike set-up.
New riders usually have to adjust to the "stretched out" feeling they have initially.
But after a ride or two, they never go back to being on too small a bike.

L.


Title: Re: Bike fitting experience
Post by: Ron on June 16, 2010, 10:43:21 am
 A wealth of knowledge!  thanks, the 35 is for mtn bikes, I am pretty sure it's less for road bikes.  I rode a quick 15m this AM, it was really different; in a good way. Much more effecient, my calves were much more tired with the new postioning but the pedel strokes were much more powerful, I also like the improved feeling of balance. I had a better upright postion, arms straight down from the shoulder, no bend at the wrist. This felt especially good since I still have to ride with a wrist brace. All good!