Being properly fitted to your road bike will not only make your ride more comfortable, but it will also help you maximize your efficiency, increase your speed, and most importantly prevent injury. Here are a few fundamental things to check out the next time you hop on the bike to make sure you have the best fit on your ride!
Frame Size: When standing over the bike, the top tube should be about one to two inches away from your crotch.
Seat Height: At the bottom of your pedal stroke there should just be a slight bend in your knee. There is some trial and error in finding the perfect seat height. If the seat is too high, you might feel your hips rocking while pedaling. If the seat is too low, you may start to feel some pain in your knees.
Seat Position: You will also want to check to make sure your seat isn’t too far forward or backward. To determine this, take a look at where your knee cap is when your cranks are parallel with the ground. The knee cap should be directly over the ball of your foot in this position.
Handlebar Position: The handlebars should be set to a position where your torso makes about a 45-degree angle and your arms form a 90-degree angle with your torso. However, some riders are all about maximizing speed and are willing to sacrifice a little discomfort to achieve this. Whereas other riders would rather be a little slower if it means they can be more comfortable on the bike. This can and definitely should be adjusted accordingly. The angle of the torse will be less if you are trying to be a little more aerodynamic and the opposite is true if you are looking for a more comfortable ride. Sometimes a different stem is necessary to achieve the perfect position for you.
Dr. Ryan Bohn, PT, DPT