7 Reasons To Get a Professional Bike Fit
There’s more to a bike fitting than simply ensuring that a bike is the correct size for a rider. A proper bike fit optimizes your saddle and handlebar position while also taking into account other elements like crank length, bar width and shape, shoe fit and cleat position, and saddle choice. Here’s our 7 reasons to get a professional bike fitting:
1. It will make you faster
Bikes come in a wide range of sizes, styles, and geometries to suit a wide variety of riders. Yet, it’s rare that a stock bike is tailored to a rider right off the floor. Having your saddle and handlebars in the correct position will improve efficiency and often aerodynamics, making you not only faster, but more efficient so you can ride longer.
2. Comfort is king
Cycling is supposed to be fun, a break from the daily grind, and a challenge if you want it to be. But If you’re not comfortable on your bike, then you won’t enjoy riding and as a result you’ll probably spend less time on your bike. A proper bike fit should balance performance with comfort so that you can be efficient, but also comfortable enough to ride all day.
Improper saddle position can lead to hip, knee, and ankle pain and decreased performance from your leg muscles, both of which are uncomfortable. It can also cause discomfort with your saddle.
3. Injury prevention
Improper bike fit can not only be uncomfortable, it can cause injury. Nothing is worse than putting in countless hours of riding to prepare for the season only to find out you’ve been causing damage to your body that you are going to have to rest and treat to recover. A proper bike fitting can protect you from joint, ligament, and muscle strain.
Proper riding technique is often discussed during our bike fittings.
A wide selection of saddles and handlebars allows us to make quick adjustments to your fit.
4. Our year long fit guarantee
We fit around our client’s current level of fitness. That means that your fit will be based on your current levels of flexibility and strength. If you have goals of slamming your stem to be more aggressive and aerodynamic, but don’t have the flexibility to do so, we won’t put you in that position. As your riding progresses we will adjust your fit as many times as necessary for the next year to dial in your fit numbers. Whether it’s your desire to be more low-and-pro, or a new injury that you’ve developed, we guarantee our bike fits for a full year so you know you’re in good hands.
5. One fit, multiple bikes
Oftentimes fit data from one bike can be applied to multiple bikes. Say you are fit for a road bike; you can replicate that fit for your gravel bike and add a centimeter or two of stack to reduce the pressure on your hands. For a mountain or fat bike you can use the same seat height as well. When you get fitted you receive your fit data to use as you please.
6. Protect your purchase
Bikes these days are getting more and more integrated. Internally routed cables look sleek and aero, but can be a nightmare to reroute if you need to adjust your stem length or angle. A quality bike fit ensures that your bike will be able to achieve your fit before you pull the trigger. You can also ensure that you get the right style of bike for your fit. Need a more upright fitting frame? An endurance frame like the Cervelo Caledonia might be right for you. Do you have a longer, more aerodynamic and aggressive fit? Then a racing frame like a BMC Teammachine will suit you just fine. Either way, it’s best to know before you buy.
7. Tri tip: rest and recover
No part of a triathlon is easy, but your bike can be a strategic time to recover and refuel during your race. Having a proper fit allows your upper body to rest while you prepare for the run. It’s also important to keep your hips as open as possible so the transition from bike to run is as easy on your hips as possible. That’s why fitting for shorter cranks and a supported upper body position is paramount to a good triathlon bike fit.
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Interested in scheduling a bike fitting? Or perhaps you want to learn more about our Guru Dynamic Fit system? Click or call to learn more.
More Info
St. Paul, MN - (651) 644-2354
75 North Snelling, St. Paul, MN 55104
Arden Hills, MN - (651) 490-7709