I have always been fascinated with bike fit. When I got into bike racing I remember reading the Greg Lemond method and following it to tee to try and achieve the perfect fit. It served me well for many years and I rode happily knowing that the person who developed the method of fitting I had used was a three time tour de France champion and multiple world champion.
That was good enough for me.
When someone asked me advice on bike fit, I would always refer to that method and use the formula and “rules of thumb” that came with it.
Then came aero bars. These devices threw that method out the window and finding the perfect fit was now a mystery.
I rode for many years just clamping on my aero bars and not changing anything else about my position. That was all there was to it (or so I thought).
Fast forward to the present and now triathlon/time trial bikes are the norm if you are serious about your training and racing. Having an optimal position on your bike is a must if you want to avoid injury and be an efficient rider.
Now fitting a person is a matter of angles and power output. It is a matter of compromise between comfort and speed.
Bike Fit Physio Certificate
I now know how to find that comprimise. I took a seminar this weekend offered by Bike Fit Physio to be trained as a bike fitter. Murray Tough is a physio therapist and certified F.I.S.T and Serotta fitter. He offers these one day seminars to pass on his knowledge to other physios and health professionals.
The day was broken up into two segments, a presentation followed by a hands on segment. I learned a lot of new information and now know it is not such a mystery to help a cyclist find their perfect balance.
I’m pretty eager to try out my new skills. If anyone in the local area would like to be a fitted on their bike, let me know.