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Is pad reach a rather useless concept?
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I am already sorry for this question, since I am no expert in the fitting process and I am prepared to be called an idiot.


Just assume I would like to replicate my current position or a fit to another or new bike.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the pad reach a useless concept? Reading about bike fitting it seems that the longitudinal position of the pads under your arms does large not matter. You can have them under your elbows or forearms and nothing would change.


What determines my positions is either the location of my elbows (which might be unsupported in the air) or that of my hands which should grab the end or my extensions with shifters.


So, wouldn't be the length of the extensions a more suitable metric than pad reach?
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Re: Is pad reach a rather useless concept? [GuidoK] [ In reply to ]
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Since your hand is connected to your elbow I'd say the two measurements are both important. The pad location however is a bit easier to measure accurately.

I recently moved my pads forward a bit after realizing my hands didn't really reach the end of the extensions consistently. I like to have the pointy knob of my elbow slightly behind the pad and the length of my forearm determines the extension length.

So not a useless concept at all.

"They know f_ck-all over at Slowtwitch"
- Lionel Sanders
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Re: Is pad reach a rather useless concept? [GuidoK] [ In reply to ]
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Pad reach, as was said important piece of the fit.

Robert Driskell
Certified Master Body Geometry fit Technician
Certified Master Retul Fit Technician
Zipp Service Course Specialist
Bikes Plus Pensacola Florida
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Re: Is pad reach a rather useless concept? [GuidoK] [ In reply to ]
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GuidoK wrote:
I am already sorry for this question, since I am no expert in the fitting process and I am prepared to be called an idiot.


Just assume I would like to replicate my current position or a fit to another or new bike.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the pad reach a useless concept? Reading about bike fitting it seems that the longitudinal position of the pads under your arms does large not matter. You can have them under your elbows or forearms and nothing would change.


What determines my positions is either the location of my elbows (which might be unsupported in the air) or that of my hands which should grab the end or my extensions with shifters.


So, wouldn't be the length of the extensions a more suitable metric than pad reach?

Actually, things would change. If your pads are at mid-forearm you need to compensate for the force you are applying behind it from your body weight by either pulling on the extensions, or (more commonly) by using your core. In the latter case, you might end up raising the pads or shifting the saddle back to lessen the compensation required.
You can have the same body positioning, but if you move the contact points the comfort/ability to maintain that position will be different. Imagine removing the pads altogether and trying to stay in position just by gripping the extensions.

ECMGN Therapy Silicon Valley:
Depression, Neurocognitive problems, Dementias (Testing and Evaluation), Trauma and PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
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