The way your bike fits impacts your performance, comfort, and more. It is important to make sure that you have the right size. You might be upgrading to a new bike, switching between bikes, or installing new parts in your old bike. No matter what the case is, you will want to ensure that your bike has a perfect fit. Continue reading to learn how to tell if your bike fits.
Check the Saddle Height
The saddle height is one of the most important measurements for people who bike. It impacts the alignment of your body and how comfortable you are. It also has a huge impact on your knee health. You definitely need to keep your knees healthy if you intend to keep cycling.
Setting your saddle height is one of the easiest things to do on your bike, but it can also slip or adjust over time. It is important to know how to set it properly to make sure your bike fits. Ideally, you should set the saddle high enough that your heel barely touches the pedal at the bottom of the rotation. In addition, your heel should not come above your toes at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Once you find this spot, you should measure it and keep this measurement handy so you can easily adjust it in the future.
Check the Saddle Setback
The saddle setback is also called the saddle position, and it should be set properly to avoid strain or injury to your body. Proper setback will avoid damaging parts of your pelvis and allow you to increase your power when you cycle. When you loosen the bolts attached to the saddle, you will be able to move it forward and backward to adjust it.
When you have the correct position, the front of your kneecap will fall directly over your pedal spindle when you are in the middle of your pedal stroke. You can actually let a piece of rope fall from the side of your kneecap to see if it falls to the correct position. You will often find that the saddle has a ruler to let you know the exact placement, so you won’t have trouble finding it again in the future.
Check the Reach to Your Handlebars
The handlebar reach is the distance from your saddle to your handlebars. If it is too long, then you may be uncomfortable and have trouble reaching the handlebars and controlling the bike. If it is too short, you may need to sit more upright, and it could be bad for your back and decrease your power and control when you ride the bike.
When you buy a bike, you need to make sure that this reach is ideal for you. You should be able to bend your arms slightly and reach the handlebars without your spine flexing and bending. You should feel comfortable and as though you have enough power without reaching or straining to move forward. You should be able to control the bike fairly easily, and you should not feel sore or tired and achy after riding.
Making sure that your bike fits is very important to your health, comfort, and enjoyment when you ride your bike. There are three primary components to bicycle fit, including the saddle height, the saddle position, and the handlebar reach. You should make sure that each one fits you properly, and then keep track of your settings so that it is easy to adjust it again in the future.
People bike both for pleasure and as a hobby, and you want to make sure you have control and power when you are out on the road. When your bike fits, it is much easier to make sure that you are safe and that you won’t place unnecessary stress on your joints.