When I bought my new bike in 2008, it came with a professional bike fitting session. What an eye opener! I had no idea that the bike I had been riding for the past 25 years (yes, it’s true – it was my college graduation gift from my dad) was so very much too big for my body.
What is the point of getting a professional bike fitting?
Your body’s position on the bike affects how you ride. It affects how much power you can efficiently deliver to the pedals. It affects how comfortable you are on the bike. A position that is more comfortable may not allow you to put as much energy into moving the bike forward as a less comfortable position might. A bike fitting will also protect you from injury both in handling the bike itself and over use injuries.
A bike fit will include:
- Saddle Height
- The Fore-Aft Saddle Position
- Saddle Tilt
- Crank Length
- Knee over the pedal axle
- Handlebar Position
- Handlebar width
- Frame size
- Fitting a Woman’s Bike
You can absolutely do research on the web and size your own bike, (check out articles on self-bike fitting here and here) but if you want your riding experiences to be the most positive and comfy possible, I definitely recommend going to someone who does bike fitting professionally.
There are a few people in Seattle who many consider the best of the best. Here are a few I found:
- Erik Moen–physical therapist and cyclist in Bothell
- www.cascadebicyclestudio.com
- www.herriottsportsperformance.com
I am sure there are more, so if you know someone, please chime in!
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