Reduce Pain
Are you currently suffering from an injury or do you have pain when riding? Do you want to reduce pain?
One of the most common reasons for people booking a bike fit is that they are currently suffering from an injury, recovering from an injury and don’t want a repeat of it or are uncomfortable on the bike.
During the intake survey we discuss what the injury, condition and issues are, when they become noticeable during the ride, ten minutes or four hours in, and how long do they take to go away after the ride. Establishing a baseline and keeping a log of changes and their impact can be useful to see how situations develop.
We Take The Riders Measurements
As well as listening to the rider, we measure the rider’s anthropometry, flexibility and consider potential leg length difference. The incoming bike is measured and checked over for potential causes of the problem too.
The information gained from the initial discussion may help give clues about why the problem occurs or help consider causes that are not solely position related such as worn cleats, failing pedal bearings, lumps under bar tape, wide bars, bent saddles and long cranks to recall some. An incorrect or inappropriate bike position can lead to many bike related discomfort issues, we’ll take care of the position during the fit but there are common issues experienced outside of the general position of saddle and bar position.
Saddle Discomfort
Saddle discomfort is a common issue that people raise. The studio benefits from using a Velometrik saddle pressure sensor mat that produces a heat mapping of the pressure distribution that the rider experiences when sat on the saddle. This is useful for riders who find it difficult to initially feel the difference when swapping saddles as it allows us to see a comparison of the relative pressures experienced between saddles and where they occur. The studio also has the benefit of a bikefitting.com saddle selector that enables the measurement of the riders sitbone width coupled with a database of saddles to make a recommendation of potential saddles that might suit them as a starting point.
Foot Pain
Another common issue experienced are with feet, numbness, hot spots, tight shoes etc. The shoe is the starting point for getting comfortable on the bike. Feet are measured as part of the bike fit intake and the suitability of the current shoe choice is discussed. The studio stocks a range of Lake shoes catering for different foot shapes and widths.
As well as shoes, we hold a stock of cleats, for Shimano and Look pedals as well as insoles from both Sidas and Formthotics. Whilst the Sidas insoles are preformed and offer a great value solution for most riders, the Formthotics insoles allow a full custom fit of the insole by heat moulding the insole to each of the riders feet helping with comfort, stability and proprioceptive feedback. Other techniques to improve foot (and saddle) comfort include leg length shims and wedges to adjust the connection the riders feet experience at the pedal.
Neck and Back Pain
Neck and back issues can arise whilst cycling often as a result of desk based or driving jobs and the length of time the position is held at work. As well as the ability to independently adjust saddle position and bar position to find comfort, the bikefitting jig also benefits from a Profile Design DRV/Sizer bar enabling different handlebar widths to be rapidly experienced, compared and contrasted.
The process used is thorough and allows the cyclist to experience and compare changes to see how it feels and the difference it makes to them.
Get Started …
Step Two
Arrive At Your Appointment
Step Three
Get Your Bike Expertly Fitted
