Bike Fit In BathAs a cyclist you have many options when it comes to getting the right bike and making sure you are riding it comfortably. At the very start of the journey you hope to have selected the correct frame size and type of bike for your intended use. Most bike shops will be able to get this part of process right for the rider, though some are better than others. We are lucky in Bath to have a couple of great shops with knowledgeable staff who are passionate about cycling rather than some of the larger chains with disinterested store assistants. So you’ve got the bike and hopefully all is well. But there are often a number of reasons why things don’t go to plan and we may start to develop discomfort when we are riding or even start to aggravate or cause an injury. Here are some of the reasons why riding that new bike may be causing you some issues: • Changed frame geometry which can affect riding position • Altered contact points relationship (e.g saddle to bar drop) • New saddle • Over-exuberance with the new bike leading to a drastic increase in ride mileage • Different gearing from your previous or other bike • Unsuitable crank length If you start to develop some issues your first port of call may be to pop back to the bike shop. In some cases the solution to your problems may be beyond the shop’s remit and a bike fit may be recommended to address your problem. Bike fitting is a process through which a trained professional can make adjustments to the position and set up of the bike to best match the rider’s current capacity - whether that be flexibility, strength, stability etc. Most bike fits will be offered by individuals who have undergone some training in how to deliver this process using various check sheets, average values for joint positions and possibly motion capture systems that generate a ‘recommended’ set up. As specialist therapists, we have worked with cyclists for many years helping them to overcome various problems and injuries. It is this specific knowledge that allows us to go beyond a simple check-box formula based approach to bike fit. At Physioimpulse we ensure each rider is individually screened and if there are any injuries picked up these form an important part of the basis of the bike fitting decisions made in the session to achieve the best possible outcome. In the case that injury is already established then it is most likely that the bike fit will not ‘cure’ the problem as a stand alone intervention. Once again, as trained specialist therapists, we can offer guidance on the importance of setting up a comprehensive rehabilitation programme to ensure the problem is addressed both on and off the bike. So, if you are out riding but you are not totally comfortable, or you have been picking up small injures here and there its time to consider having your bike fit re-assessed more comprehensively. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about your bike fit or if you would like more information about our bike fitting service. We are always more than happy to answer questions. 01225 683007
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AuthorPhysioimpulse Chartered Physiotherapists Archives
June 2024
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