I’m asking for your indulgence in yet another fit critique post. We’re going down to one income and I can’t justify a $120 pro fit while I’m student teaching. So I’m coming to you.
I need help critiquing my fit. I don’t train with others and I’ve only ridden 2 years so my learning opportunities and experience are very limited.
So, if you have 1-3 minutes, take a look at this video I threw together. There’s a 3 angles, some in slow motion, to help you see.
Obviously I didn’t go shirtless because I’m buff. I thought it would help when critiquing my fit.
Here’s some pertinent data (measurements taken per Competitive Cyclist instructions)
Inseam 34 in
Trunk 25 in
Forearm 14 in
Arm 26.75 in
Thigh 24.5 in
Lower Leg 22.25 in
Sternal Notch 58.5 in
Total Body Height 70.5 in
Weight: 168lbs
Here’s what the calculator kicked out. In parentheses is what I have right now.
Seat tube range c-c 55.9 - 56.4
Seat tube range c-t 57.7 - 58.2
Top tube length 55.1 - 55.5 (56)
Stem Length 11.5 - 12.1 (9.0)
BB-Saddle Position 76.7 - 78.7 (76)
Saddle-Handlebar 54.4 - 55.0 (unk)
Saddle Setback 6.0 - 6.4 (6.3)
Seatpost Type NON-SETBACK
Crank: No data (175)
I was having a bit of front knee pain although it’s subsiding now that I’ve incorporated this initial fit data (saddle was very low). After 2 hours I’m pretty sore. I know it’s a somewhat aggressive position. I bought the bike used and the head tube is chopped so I’m kinda’ stuck. The short stem was my bad: my old 11cm didn’t seem right- I felt too stretched out. But now my front hub isn’t “hidden” by the handlebars.
I really don’t know what the hell I’m doing. What’s new?
Your fit looks fine. You do need to work on your spin though… you’re shaking a lot as you ride. More one legged drills, high cadence work, and some core work will help. Having a fixie to ride would be useful too. (=
Being sore is something you almost have to get used to… A good pair of cycling shorts, and a better seat might help.
Yeah, did notice that, but looking at his extension it doesn’t look like he is any where close to being fully extended. I think the rocking is due to poor mechanics then a high seat.
…but looking at his extension it doesn’t look like he is any where close to being fully extended…
@ the knee…
but what about his hip and ankle?
he is REACHING with his feet and hips. perhaps because he lacks knee flexibility, perhaps because it is natural to use the full mechanism to try to compensate. but either way, way to high.
which would also help solve the almost locked elbows as well (sympathetic benefits! - assuming he leave the bars alone)
This is definitely too much extension:
Even accounting for the fact that it was a blurry video and the skeletal points are not marked so there is a good degree of error in my little “angle,” that is still much too obtuse…
Yeah, but I don’t think it’s from his seat being too high. More so that his seat is too far back… Draw a line straight up from the BB and that seat is way too far back.
Yeah, but I don’t think it’s from his seat being too high. More so that his seat is too far back… Draw a line straight up from the BB and that seat is way too far back.
Why don’t you take this oportunity to learn something?
Holy sh!t. I didn’t expect to wake up to 17 responses.
Thanks…
1: I noticed the rocking as well. Can I blame it on not tightening the rear wheel into the trainer (probably not). But my hips DO seem to rock a bit. I was surprised.
2: I marked my joints with black marker. It was lost in compression. I’ll make them bigger next time.
3: I’ve been working on pedaling technique. Good to know I still need to drill more.
4: Despite 1-2 hours of yoga weekly, it’s still that obvious I have terribly stiff hamstrings. Bummer.
5: I was surprised at the saddle setback as well when I did it. Right now I’m just blindly following the fit calculator.
6: I don’t have a clue about cleat placement. I thought I had them under the ball of my foot. You can see I have a recreational/touring shoe for the time being.
Again, you all are providing valuable information that, at this point, I just can’t get elsewhere. Keep it comin’!
(sympathetic benefits! - assuming he leave the bars alone)
