| Re: Bike Fit over time
Bob Wheeler wrote:
> Maggie wrote:
>
>> Colorado Bicycler wrote:
>>
>>> As I grow older (now 65) I had the road bike refitted last year.
>>> Raised the bars a bit, as I have had some problems with s sore neck
>>> from straining. My body has changed, my fit should change.
>>
>> New Paragraph.....
>> My point is...and I think I do have a point....I persaonlly would find
>> a bike with a great fit after riding for awhile. Not when you begin. I
>> know that when I start riding miles and miles and miles and MILES, I am
>> going to need a bike that gives me the comfort of a good fit. For now,
>> I can ride on anything. (But not in the rain) ;-)
>> Maggie.
>>
>
> Maggie, I think you are making good sense. I can't imagine an
> experiment that would separate out the adaptability of a cyclist from
> modest variations in top-tube length, etc., and because of this I doubt
> if there is any empirical evidence behind the computer programs the
> claim to optimize fit. In other words, I think such things, like many
> things in bicycling, are better money generators than worthwhile tools.
>
>
I lost track of who posted what up there but it does seem that just
because it feels like a good fit in the bike shop or after a short spin
around the block it is going to feel good after 10, 20, 40, or even 100
miles of riding. Maybe ten at a time but if you ever get a beautiful
summer day and decide to really go for it take enough tools so that you
can adjust the fit every few miles until you find what is most
comfortable. Seat height, handle bar stem height, and handlebar angle
through the center adjustment where you can rotate the bars up to ape
hanger status or down to a very low bent over angle. You should have at
least these three geometries to play with and as mentioned before your
body knows more about you than any @#$%^&&^ computer program. I write
software sometimes and no matter how good you think it is someone will
break it or find it doesn't work for them. Nothing beats personal
experience and in this case it means miles, which, as long as they are
comfortable, is a good thing. Just don't come back with a sore back
after tweaking or you may wind up returning the bike, with the fringe
benefit of having learned, the hard and painful way, what you really need.
Best of luck with your endeavor.
Bill Baka
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