GETTING A PROPER FIT BETWEEN RIDER AND BIKE |
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The requirements for a good fit of rider and bicycle depend on what you, the rider, is trying to accomplish by riding a bicycle. As the time spent riding, the length of your rides, and the speed of your riding increase, the requirements get more and more demanding and precise. If you ride mainly for social reasons, the optimum fit for you will vary dramatically, according to WHO you want to ride with - the kids, or the folks on group rides, or racers on their training rides. If you ride to test the limits of your mental and physical abilities, your biomechanical efficiency is critical. Bike fit determines whether you can develop optimum biomechanical efficiency. If you ride for recreation or other personal satisfaction, an appropriate custom fit allows you to pursue your passions longer, farther, faster, and with fewer aches and pains. A small aside: Those who want to ride a bike just like their favorite world class athlete rides usually do not want or need the same riding position, unless the fan is also a world class rider. Everyone knows that for people at either end of the leg length range, a stock bike can't provide a good fit, simply because stock frame sizes will be either too tall or too short. |
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| What is less well known is that those of us with common leg lengths can easily have body proportions that vary quite far from "average" proportions. Body proportions often vary by more than the adjustment range of saddles and handlebar stem lengths. | |
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There is more to fitting than body dimensions and proportions.
How stiff or flexible a frame you need depends on ALL the following factors [Stock bikes, no matter how expensive, do not offer you any options here]:
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| Even if you find that stock bike frames fit you well, you can easily require a custom frame if your strength and riding style vary from the average rider strength and skill level that stock frames are designed for. | |
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Custom Frame Builders design bikes to fit riders, matching their size, proportions and riding needs in one beautiful package. Their craftsmanship can be so good that even those who can get a good dimensional fit from a stock frame have a custom bike made, not just because it looks so good with the Henry James components, but because a custom builder can fine tune the stiffness and ride characteristics. |
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"If you want what is most expensive, always choose ignorance: There is nothing more costly than ignorance."It's okay to want a connection with a famous rider, famous head badge, or famous frame material. But if the bike doesn't fit you... My point is that you can have a custom built lugged steel frame tuned for the riding you want to do and designed for your body size and proportions for a lot less money than some exotic stock frame. (Custom lugged steel frames typically range from $1000-$1500, versus $2000-$3000 for stock titanium.) A bike that fits your size/proportions and is designed for what you want to do is a great value! Many people assume that a stock frame that costs one to three thousand dollars must be a great frame. Not necessarily. It is a great frame only if it perfectly matches your body and the riding you want to do. If you want a great frame, have a good Custom Builder build a lugged steel frame for you. |
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What Can You Do About Getting a Good Fit?
Start by thinking through just what kind of riding will make you happiest. Then, talk to a local bike dealer or custom frame builder that knows how to fit people for the kind of riding you want to do. A basic fitting and adjustments to your present bike may be enough to make a big improvement. The next step is to explore having a custom frame built for you. In any event, check out the Custom Builder pages on this site. |
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