Professional Bike Fit

A professional bike fit can significantly enhance your cycling experience by improving comfort, efficiency, and preventing injuries. While personal adjustments at home and dynamic assessment apps can address many fit aspects, consulting a professional brings advanced tools and expertise to fine-tune your position, optimise power transfer and reducing strain.

When to Consider a Professional Bike Fit

Certain situations make seeking a professional bike fit particularly beneficial:

• Experiencing Pain or Discomfort: If you notice consistent pain, numbness, or soreness during or after rides, a professional bike fit can identify and correct issues causing discomfort. 
• Purchasing a New Bike: Before buying a new bike, a professional fit ensures you select the correct size and geometry suited to your body and style, preventing future discomfort and inefficiency.
• Returning After Injury: Post-injury, a bike fit can accommodate any physical changes, ensuring your setup doesn't exacerbate previous injuries and promotes a safe return to cycling.
• Seeking Performance Gains: If you've hit a performance plateau or reaching for a specific goal, optimising your bike fit can enhance power output or aerodynamics, leading to improved speed and endurance. 

Finding a Bike Fitter

Europe & UK

Europe's rich cycling culture offers numerous professional bike fitting services:

• International Bike Fitting Institute (IBFI): With over 200 members worldwide, the IBFI provides a directory to find certified fitters across Europe & UK: ibfi-certification.com
• Bikefitting.com: Operating in over 60 countries, Bikefitting.com offers a dealer locator to find authorised fitting services near you: Bike Fitting
• LEOMO Remote Bike Fitting: For those unable to visit a fitter in person, LEOMO offers remote fitting services throughout the EU, UK, and Switzerland, allowing you to receive professional guidance from home: leomo.io

USA

As well as IBFI, the USA, a range of fitting services is available:

• Retül Fit & Specialized Body Geometry Fit: Many Specialized retailers across the country offer these advanced fitting services: Retül Fit 
• Bike Fit Finder: A directory of professional bike fitters across the USA, allowing cyclists to search for certified fitters by location and services offered: bikefitfinder.com

What to Look for in a Bike Fitter

When selecting a bike fitter, consider the following:

• Certifications & Experience: Look for fitters with recognized certifications from organizations like IBFI, Retül, or Bikefitting.com, and experience with various rider types.
• Technology Used: Advanced tools such as 3D motion capture, pressure mapping, and dynamic analysis indicate a comprehensive fitting process.
• Comprehensive Assessment: A thorough fit should include an interview about your cycling history and goals, a physical assessment, and on-bike analysis.
• Follow-Up Services: Opt for fitters who offer follow-up sessions to fine-tune adjustments after you've had time to adapt to changes.
• Reviews: Like with a restaurant, if people are unhappy (or happy) with a bike-fitter, they will say so. We roadies are rarely shy about giving our opinions and reviews will give you a great insight into what a potential bike-fitter is like.

Preparing for a Bike Fit

What to Wear

• Cycling Kit: Wear (or take to change into) your usual cycling attire, including bib shorts, jersey and particularly socks, to replicate typical riding conditions.
• Cycling Shoes & Cleats: Bring the shoes and cleats you regularly use.
• Accessories: If you use insoles, orthotics or gloves, have them with you.

What to Bring

• Your Bike: Most fitters prefer to work with your actual bike to make precise adjustments.
• Previous Fit Data: If available, bring any prior fit reports or measurements.
• Pain/Discomfort Notes: Document any issues you've experienced to discuss during the session and any medical issues.
• Recent Rides History: Having a record of your rides from Strava or Zwift (or equivalent) with performance data can help jump-start the understanding of your ability.

Pre-Knowledge That Helps

• Understand Your Goals: Be clear about whether you're aiming for comfort, performance, injury prevention, or other objectives.
• Familiarise Yourself with Basic Terms: Knowing terms like saddle height, reach, and stack can facilitate better communication.
• Reflect on Your Ability: Be honest about yourself. Bike fitting only works if you are actually fitting to actual ability, rather than dream ability. It is good to mention goals and where you hope to be, but a bike fit needs to be for where you are now.
  

Final Thoughts

Investing in a professional bike fit is a valuable step toward enhancing your cycling experience. By selecting a qualified fitter and preparing adequately, you can achieve a set-up that aligns with your body and cycling aspirations.

If you are feeling pressure to buy things: leave. You under no obligation to buy anything, you can say no to recommended new insoles and definitely to a 10 grand super-bike! It should be a positive experience, giving you tailored expert advise.

That's the end of the Fitting a Road-Bike Chapter.

The next chapter is about Road-Bike Maintenance.

Continue reading with Cleaning Your Road-Bike