Road bike fitting for weird-shaped bodies!

NeilJenkins

Hi All,

I've had a look around the forum for something suitable but haven't found anything. So, as usual, apologies if a similar post exists elsewhere that I could find.

Anyway, I'm close to buying a new road bike. I've decided which one (me very first carbon-framed stead!), the spec that's within my budget, etc. One key thing now remains ... getting the right sized frame. As this is a significant purchase, and one that I'm hoping will last me for a long time, I want to get it just right, of course!

I've been riding road bikes gradually more seriously for a couple of years now, so have a pretty good idea of what works for me and what doesn't. Now, this is a bit long-winded, but please keep with me .... there are three aspects to this:

FRAME SIZE v SEAT HEIGHT:
I have an insteam measurement of 74cm (checked and double-checked, I assure you!). So, using the old 'standard' formula for frame size (C-T seat tube) I should have a frame which is 74x0.67 = 49.5cm. Also, this leads to a saddle height of 74x0.883 = 65.5(ish)cm. However, over the years I've found that a saddle height of around 70cm gives me the best and most efficient pedalling. As this is 4.5cm more than "recommended", does this also mean that I should be looking for a frame size around 49.5+4.5 = 54cm?

SEAT SETBACK:
I am plagued with arms and legs that are short for my length of torso (or, if you prefer, a torso that's too long for my arms and legs!). So, standard fitting figures, such as those provided by competitivecyclist.com, I need odd frame/bike set-up measurements. For example, the seat setback come out at around 1.7-2.1cm. To achieve anything like this I have to have my seat pushed as far forward as the rails will allow, and even then I find myself puching right to the nose of the seat when trying to maintain a forward thrust in a headwind. Does this seem right? And should I consider getting a seatpost that has the clamp more central to the seatpost axis (as opposed to being set back from it, as with most seatposts)?

SEAT-HANDBAR/COCKPIT REACH:
Also, as my torso is long for an average person with my stumpy legs, I need a longer reach. This means I'm often running on a 13cm stem. However, with my seat pushed so far forward as well I always feel too far forward on the bike. Is my feeling right or do you thing what I'm doing is perfectly acceptable?

I guess I could shop around for the perfect frame for my proportions: Long Effective top tube length, more upright seat tube, etc. But, I've already fallen in love!!!!

Can you all help me on this one, please?

Best regards,
Neil

NeilJenkins

Oh, and by the way, the sort of riding I do is club rides, sportives, that sort of thing. No racing (I joined the road cycling ranks too late for that!)

So, distance with hills. I know that can make a bit of a difference.

Neil

keef66

I was fitted by Epic Cycles for a Racelight Tk. I have an inseam of 31" / 79cm, and was set up with a saddle height of 70cm. (Are you measuring your inseam from crotch to floor in bare feet?) This has proved spot-on, so your x .883 formula works for me.

I'm no longer a flexible whippet, and on the 54cm frame I felt overstretched, so I ordered a 51. Trouble is, that means the drop from saddle to bars was too great so I have several spacers and the short 8cm stem flipped up.

I'd be curious to see what kind of frame I ended up with if I went and had one built up for me.

NeilJenkins

Thanks, Keef66.

Yes. I measured my inseam in bare feet, 20cm apart (I think), wearing normal cycling shorts, book wedged under the undercarriage. 74cm. My height (bare feet!) is 173cm.

I find the inseam x 0.883 rule puts me too low down and I feel like those kids you see around the streets in BMXs with the seat as low as it can go, all knees in the air and everything. I find pedalling very difficult and comes largely from the knees at 65cm seat height. I now use the "heels scraped on the pedal at it's lowest point with straight legs" approach to getting the seat height and this gives me the 70cm and means my legs are just slightly bent at the bottom of the stroke. I feel; much faster and more efficent pedalling like this.

If you watch the pro guys on telly, they seem to be a mixture of low seat knee-wavers and high seat slightly-bent ... ers. So, I guess the x0.883 rule is a rough guide, right?

Neil

giant_man

just make an appointment with Paul Hewitt for a bike fitting Neil, because if anyone can make sure your measurements are right, Paul Hewitt is the man. Investment for 50 quid.

Don't go by 'the pro guys on the telly' because everyone is built differently.

keef66

That's baffling. My saddle height seems correct for both the formula and the heel / straight leg thing. Do you have unusually long feet??

Anyway, how much are you planning to spend?You might be able to get a custom carbon framed bike. Look at the Viners on the Epic website

Mister W

+1 for a bike fitting. Bikes are made for standard size people so if you aren't standard size you'll need to tweak the parts (stem, seatpost, saddle etc) to get it right for you. You also need to consider that different companies measure their bikes in different ways (I ride a 46cm, 50cm and a small which are all almost exactly the same size).

Mister W

...and it's all very well being in love but when that initial passion dies down and you have to live with her those cute foibles may turn out to be the things which annoy the hell out of you

NeilJenkins

From giant mancp:

> just make an appointment with Paul Hewitt for a bike fitting Neil,

Thanks for the tip. Who is he, where is he and how do I contact him?

> Don't go by 'the pro guys on the telly' because everyone is built differently.

Indeed, that was the opint I was making by mentioning them! :P

Neil

NeilJenkins

> ...and it's all very well being in love but [...]

Fair point, Mister W!

skyd0g

NeilJenkins wrote:

From giant mancp:

> just make an appointment with Paul Hewitt for a bike fitting Neil,

Thanks for the tip. Who is he, where is he and how do I contact him?

> Don't go by 'the pro guys on the telly' because everyone is built differently.

Indeed, that was the opint I was making by mentioning them! :P

Neil

Paul Hewitt http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/

bobtbuilder

You've got to go for a bike fitting.

Many LBS will offer this service free if you buy a bike from them.

I have a long torso and short limbs and got fitted at Epic Cycles for my Orbea Orca.

NeilJenkins

skyd0g wrote:

Paul Hewitt http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/

Thanks, skyd0g. I'm currently in Toulouse, and will be in Bristol from the end of this month, but either way a trip up to Lancashire will take a bit of organising!

I take everyone's point about the improtance of a fitting, though. I once had a pseudo-professional fitting at Décathlon (in Toulouse) and the resulting bike and set-up was way off (I ended up sorting out an exchange). Mind you, one shouldn't compare lobster with cod!

Neil

giant_man

NeilJenkins wrote:

skyd0g wrote:

Paul Hewitt http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/

Thanks, skyd0g. I'm currently in Toulouse, and will be in Bristol from the end of this month, but either way a trip up to Lancashire will take a bit of organising!

I take everyone's point about the improtance of a fitting, though. I once had a pseudo-professional fitting at Décathlon (in Toulouse) and the resulting bike and set-up was way off (I ended up sorting out an exchange). Mind you, one shouldn't compare lobster with cod!

Neil

Sorry Neil skydog beat me to it. Paul is first rate where fitting is concerned, your bike will fit you better than ever before after a visit to Leyland in Lancs. It's worth every penny.

NeilJenkins

giant mancp wrote:

Sorry Neil skydog beat me to it. Paul is first rate where fitting is concerned, your bike will fit you better than ever before after a visit to Leyland in Lancs. It's worth every penny.

And the suppliers of the bike I've fallen in love with is not a million miles from there! ....

jordan_217

And if you're not in Leyland, Lancs? Anyone know of a good bike fitting service in Cambs/Northants? I need help sorting out my TT bike.

mrushton

fat Birds don't fly might be good. I'll always recommend Cyclefit in central London and Mosquito do bike fitting

jordan_217

mrushton wrote:

fat Birds don't fly might be good. I'll always recommend Cyclefit in central London and Mosquito do bike fitting

Thanks mrrushton, I've just found out that Phil Corley in Milton Keynes does bike fitting - £35, bargain

doyler78

jordan_217 wrote:

mrushton wrote:

fat Birds don't fly might be good. I'll always recommend Cyclefit in central London and Mosquito do bike fitting

Thanks mrrushton, I've just found out that Phil Corley in Milton Keynes does bike fitting - £35, bargain

A fitting is about a lot more than a set of measurements. Go for reputation over anything else as a bargain isn't a bargain if you have to get it done again. That isn't any comment on the guy you are proposing as I have no knowledge of him or his abilities.

jordan_217

doyler78 wrote:

jordan_217 wrote:

mrushton wrote:

fat Birds don't fly might be good. I'll always recommend Cyclefit in central London and Mosquito do bike fitting

Thanks mrrushton, I've just found out that Phil Corley in Milton Keynes does bike fitting - £35, bargain

A fitting is about a lot more than a set of measurements. Go for reputation over anything else as a bargain isn't a bargain if you have to get it done again. That isn't any comment on the guy you are proposing as I have no knowledge of him or his abilities.

He's fitted a couple of my mates with P3 Cervelos, and they speak highly of the overall service. Good point though - I'm a firm believer in 'buy cheap, buy twice'.