A question for this site's masters and gurus, a question about the art (black?) and science of fitting a bike to its rider. A recent thread about bar ends/riser bars on a MTB setup, and a question from a ride buddy caused me to begin systematically looking for a site which explains the details of (in terms of the orthopedics, ergonomics, and core fitness & strength) proper and effective fit (adjustment and tuning). Does anyone know of any sites that contain this functionality or forum expertise?
Why do I ask? After a ride, a new(er) ride buddy had asked me for any tips and suggestions that might be of benefit to him as he got started. In the process of trying to organize my thoughts to distill a couple of worthwhile comments, I wrestled with how to succinctly explain the oftentimes inverse relationship between ride fit and comfort, while mindful that the advice must first do no harm. I was stumped. I lukewarmly suggested he contact a bike shop and get a fitting session. The assumption was that they would be able to do/explain that which I was struggling to put into words. I didn’t give him crap advice, but it sure felt like it. Therein is the rub. This isn’t rocket science. If this kind of service doesn’t exist, can we help provide the inertia to get it started?
Anybody know of any sites with this kind of content? Imagine a site where you could either select your bike and it brought up the known geometry and sizing configurations, you selected yours from the dropdown listbox or you manually entered your bikes parameters, and then you provided your physical measurement segment attributes (shoulder to elbow, elbow to wrist, hand size, hip to shoulder, hip to knee, knee to ball of foot, weight, etc.). Ideally it would superimpose the bike’s parameters with that of the synthesized rider, and provide suggested bike adjustment settings (seatpost height, saddle tilt, saddle position (reach), optimal bar height, stem angle, and stack height).
For most of us, these tuning adjustments are mostly trial and error. Very little methodology, and even less science. Once you find the sweet spot you tend to leave it alone. Does something like this exist? If not, all you enterprising software developers out there, here is an idea. Run with it. Google Bike anyone?
Why do I ask? After a ride, a new(er) ride buddy had asked me for any tips and suggestions that might be of benefit to him as he got started. In the process of trying to organize my thoughts to distill a couple of worthwhile comments, I wrestled with how to succinctly explain the oftentimes inverse relationship between ride fit and comfort, while mindful that the advice must first do no harm. I was stumped. I lukewarmly suggested he contact a bike shop and get a fitting session. The assumption was that they would be able to do/explain that which I was struggling to put into words. I didn’t give him crap advice, but it sure felt like it. Therein is the rub. This isn’t rocket science. If this kind of service doesn’t exist, can we help provide the inertia to get it started?
Anybody know of any sites with this kind of content? Imagine a site where you could either select your bike and it brought up the known geometry and sizing configurations, you selected yours from the dropdown listbox or you manually entered your bikes parameters, and then you provided your physical measurement segment attributes (shoulder to elbow, elbow to wrist, hand size, hip to shoulder, hip to knee, knee to ball of foot, weight, etc.). Ideally it would superimpose the bike’s parameters with that of the synthesized rider, and provide suggested bike adjustment settings (seatpost height, saddle tilt, saddle position (reach), optimal bar height, stem angle, and stack height).
For most of us, these tuning adjustments are mostly trial and error. Very little methodology, and even less science. Once you find the sweet spot you tend to leave it alone. Does something like this exist? If not, all you enterprising software developers out there, here is an idea. Run with it. Google Bike anyone?
