Avid cyclists across the Bay Area know that aches and pains can be a normal part of the sport – even daily commuters may share the same experiences – but there are ways to minimize those discomforts. Bike fittings are one of the best ways to ensure that your bicycle is optimized for you.
Fittings help adjust pedals, seats, handlebars, and other features to the individual rider to improve the ride, help avoid injuries, and make long rides more comfortable. Some cyclists even say a fitting has totally transformed their ride.
“I noticed the benefits on long rides and consecutive days of riding. My arms, neck, hips, and knees didn’t ache as much, saddle sores became a thing of the past, and I felt stronger deep into my rides and at the end of a long cycling week,” says Matt Philips, senior test editor at Bicycling.
There are a lot of aspects to a fitting, so it’s best to talk to a professional about your specific needs. Many bike shops across the Bay Area offer bike fittings at different price points. What you need will depend on your cycling goals.
What does a bike fitting entail?
If you’ve ever felt like your bicycle could be a bit more comfortable, you’re probably right. This is why fittings are great. They take the little details about your bike that can become a big pain (literally) and tweak them to maximize comfort.
“It is a process in which every contact point of the bicycle, as well as the macro relationships between contact points, are optimized for that particular body,” explains fitting expert Jessica Brautus for bikefit.com.
To start, it’s best to approach a bike fitting with your goals in mind. This may be eliminating pain caused by riding, like achy knees, or boosting your performance. Think about the kind of rides you partake in, the terrain, the ride length, how often you’re riding, and other factors that may be helpful to a fitter. Goals and needs will help get you the best fit.
Assessment: After you’ve talked to your fitter about what you want to achieve with your fitting, you’ll undergo an assessment. These differ from fitter to fitter, but generally they’ll look at body movement and pedaling motions to get a good sense of what may need to be adjusted for optimization.
Adjustment: Following the assessment, a fitter will work to ensure that the contact points are up to par with comfort and goals. The feet, pelvis, and hands are all major contact points and if not positioned properly can cause pain elsewhere, too. The fitter will spend time on all of these areas ensuring they’re just right for you and your goals.
Remember, that no two fittings will be the same, so while the process may be similar, it may feel or look a little different from person to person or even from fitting to fitting. Ask questions along the way and speak up about what feels good or doesn’t. Immediately after a fitting, your ride may feel slightly awkward because of the adjustments. That’s typical, as it may take a few rides to work into a “new normal.”
Don’t be afraid to return to your fitter if after a few rides things don’t feel right. Minor adjustments can make a big difference, so speak up if you feel that something else could make your ride more comfortable. Afterall, a fitter’s goal is to make the adjustments that best fit your needs, even if that takes a few tries at getting everything just right.
Bike fittings vs. bike sizing
Prior to purchasing a bike, you probably did a sizing. This ensures that you’re not getting a bike that’s too big or too small. While they’re both important factors to achieving the best fit, they do serve different purposes.
Bike sizing: Making sure the frame is the correct size based on the rider’s height and inseam length. An incorrect frame size can ultimately be dangerous for a rider and cannot be fixed in a fitting.
Bike fitting: Think about the components of the bicycle: pedals, handlebars, etc. The fitting is fine-tuning what you can and adjusting it for your ride goals.
Who benefits from a bike fitting
You don’t have to be a professional cyclist to experience the benefits of a fitting. In fact, fittings can do wonders for just about every cyclist, no matter where you’re at in your journey.
Consider a fitting if you are:
New to cycling: There’s no rite of passage required for a fitting. Even if you’re new to the sport or just wanting to get the best possible commute, figuring out what keeps you comfortable will likely keep you riding.
Recovering from an injury: Injuries change the body – sometimes short term and sometimes long term. In an effort to avoid prolonging an injury or worsening it, a bike fitting may help to account for existing discomforts and make sure they aren’t exacerbated.
Feeling achy or sore: The aches and pains you get from riding can add up and even amount to injuries. A bike fitting can help alleviate these discomforts. In a fitting, make sure to note where you feel these pains, how often they occur, and when. This can help a fitter diagnose what might be out of sync.
Making new cycling goals: Is it a new PR or race? Are you leveling up to a new distance? However your fitness goals are changing, it can be beneficial to make sure your gear is up to par.
Purchasing a new bike: You may get a sizing included in your purchase, which can be extremely helpful – but a fitting will ensure everything is just right when you hit the road.
Where to find a bike fitter
Bike fitting studios are becoming more popular across the Bay Area as more people take on the sport, whether for fitness, competition, or for leisure. Your local bike shop may have an in-house professional that can do this or recommend a studio that would best fit your needs.
Costs may range from about $100 for a basic fitting to anywhere north of $1,000+ depending on your needs.