Getting the right fit on your bike can be the difference between an enjoyable ride and a miserable experience; a new personal best or another sub par performance; or worse still even picking up an injury or developing pain that stops you riding.
Getting a bike fit on your current bike can optimise your comfort, performance and overall enjoyment on the bike but what about when you are buying a new bike? Or what if your current bike is not the right size or geometry for you? Or what if you only have a road bike and are looking at getting your first TT or triathlon bike?
Here are some common queries and stumbling blocks around new bike sizing:
It is possible to use my current bike to assist in sizing for a new bike?
My current bike doesn’t suit me or fit me very well, how do I get the right size in future?
I am looking to get into gravel riding but I only have a road bike, should I get the same size?
I am hoping to start racing this year and want to get an aero bike, how do I get the fastest set up?
This is my first road bike, i’ve only ever ridden a hybrid bike before.
All of these elements can be addressed in a Pre-Purchase Bike Sizing appointment. Our philosophy is that, first, we should work to find the fit that best suits your riding / comfort / performance needs without the constraint of your current bike (or any bike for that matter!) and then we can assist you in finding the bike that will fulfil those criteria.
This process starts by taking some of your measurements such as height, inseam, arm length etc. But then we go further; looking at your movement patterns, flexibility and strength as this will give us a clearer picture of what sort of bikes will work better for you compared to others.
Next up it’s time to get riding! For the ride testing and positional assessment we use our state of the art Shimano Dynamic Labs bike fitting jig. This will allow us to 'remove the bike' as a limiting factor in the bike fitting process and instead allows us to freely explore a cycling position that works well for your body, feeling both comfortable and powerful.
Through this process we can then establish all of the necessary details for your future bike.
There are a long list of things to get right and pitfalls to avoid so this is why we take more time over the process, discussing pros and cons of various brands and what they will allow you to choose / customise. Of course, you may be looking to get something completely bespoke and if that's the case we can then turn all of our measurements into a full CAD drawing which you can take to your frame builder of choice. We're even happy to discuss the build with them and collaborate where necessary to ensure all the details are correct. Here is an example of a CAD drawing for a customer who was looking for a custom bike build.
So as you can see, there is quite a lot of meticulous detail that goes in to getting everything spot on. Of course we can keep you away from all of the numbers if all you want to know is that it's going to fit you and feel great to ride. That's why we're happy to chat with frame builders, local bike shops or even bike brands that have humans at the end of a telephone to chat to!!
As a summary, we will ensure to cover all of the following areas:
Frame Size (as appropriate / depending on brands)
Frame Geometry - ideal stack and reach ranges
Bar Width (32cm - 44cm)
Stem Length and Angle
Spacers required above/below stem
Crank Length (150-180mm)
Saddle Choice (over 100)
Seatpost Type
During the session we also have the opportunity to take advantage of some of the advanced pedalling analysis features the bike fitting jig has to offer. This allows us to dive deeper into any imbalances or inefficiencies you may have developed in your pedal stroke and find further performance and comfort gains.
Once we have arrived at a position that is working well for you we can then take these measurements and start to see which bikes will work best for you. We have access to an extensive library of bike geometries that we can then analyse for suitability with your positional data. We can then draw up a short list based on your desirable criteria for the new bike alongside the information we have gained from the session.
Then comes the exciting part, ordering your new bike!!
The final piece of the puzzle is to bring in your shiny new bike to back to the clinic and get 20% off your Bike Fit follow-up session to get your fit perfectly dialled in.
To book in for your Pre-Purchase Bike Sizing Appointment - CLICK HERE
For more information please email us on info@thebikethebody.com
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