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Bike fitting

#david2012#david2012 Posts: 275
edited August 2012 in Road beginners
Im seriously considering getting properly fitted for my road bike. As I've messed about with saddle height and seat position I've obviously changed something detrimental to my position as I've acquired a pain in my right knee :cry:
And often end up with pins and needles in my hands after 20-30 mins
When I first got bike I was told by an experienced rider the frame was too small 53cm I'm 5 10"

I've self diagnosed ITBS doing some research and have recently changed to cleats and shoes hoping its simply feet positioning that's caused the problem, but clearly something is not right.

At what point do you think this is worth while? My gut feeling is to get this done sooner rather than later and ive found a place in leamington that specialise anyone recommend somewhere or have any advice before I keep messing with set ups.

Thanks

Posts

  • bykerbloke91bykerbloke91 Posts: 37
    It's definitely a must. Been advised on a number of occasions by experienced riders to get one. My frame is 54cm and I'm 5 11" and I feel fine on it. What one cm does I don't know? :lol:

    I tried to get a bike-fitting today but they are too busy building bikes for people.. Hopefully get booked in early next week.
  • CalpolCalpol Posts: 1,039
    Different manufacturers have different sizing conventions but I would supect that a 53cm frame is on the small side for someone your height. I would have guessed that a 56 was closer to the normal. It might be that a longer stem would be enough to sort your fit but if you are serious about this sport and aim to spend several hours in the saddle then a proper fit is essential. I had one and whilst there were only minor adjustments it was good to get all the measurements done and recorded for future reference. A fit will help check the potential causes for ITB.
  • #david2012#david2012 Posts: 275
    Thanks both for your thoughts.

    Current bike was only a purchase to see if I enjoyed the experience, so before I start spending 4 figures I agree getting the correct info is a must! Ive clearly done something / changed something that I need to get to the bottom of... I'm getting with drawal symptoms resting this pesky leg :evil:

    Plan is to get the set up right... Keep the current one indoors on a trainer for the winter and treat myself next year.
    Bikedynamics in leamington are not too far away I'm considering a visit. If anyone has any other recommendations in Warwickshire that would be great !
  • StillGoingStillGoing Posts: 5,207
    Pay the money and go to a proper bike fitting service and not a LBS one. Use someone who will video you riding your bike from various angles with reference points to be able to calculate what adjustments are needed and advise on what changes to make re crank and stem lengths, bar widths and height, seat height and fore and aft position. Worth every penny as a good one will also measure you for cleat positioning and advise on where any tightness is in your muscles.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • fatdazfatdaz Posts: 348
    It's a long way from you but I had a bike fitting at Epic Cycles in Ludlow which was incredibly detailed - took over an hour and involved a lot of cycling at different levels of intensity. Before that I had a fitting at my LBS, both told me my current bike was too small and both gave me ideas as to what I should be looking for but the Epic recommendations were far more detailed - LBS recommended a frame size for the specific bikes they stocked, Epic recommended the optimal fit for me.

    Referring to your original post I suffered badly from pins and needles in my hands and sore wrists on my original bike due to my weight being disproportianately forward - this also led to me being pretty unsteady when riding with one hand unless I leaned right back. All that disappeared immediately I got a correctly fitting bike. I've never had issues with legs, knees or feet while cycling but the guy at Epic did spend about 20 minutes measuring and checking the position of cleats, hips, knees etc.
  • bykerbloke91bykerbloke91 Posts: 37
    philthy3 wrote:
    Pay the money and go to a proper bike fitting service and not a LBS one. Use someone who will video you riding your bike from various angles with reference points to be able to calculate what adjustments are needed and advise on what changes to make re crank and stem lengths, bar widths and height, seat height and fore and aft position. Worth every penny as a good one will also measure you for cleat positioning and advise on where any tightness is in your muscles.

    So basically LBS fits aren't technical/detailed enough if riding regularly/training?

    Anyone know of anywhere in the Glasgow area that does proper bike fit servicing?

    Cheers
  • StillGoingStillGoing Posts: 5,207
    I forgot to mention I had a fitting done with Mike at BikeDynamics in Leomington Spa and can't fault him. He even stuck shorter cranks on my bike during the fitting to prove his theory. You won't go wrong if you use him.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • #david2012#david2012 Posts: 275
    bykerbloke91 wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    Pay the money and go to a proper bike fitting service and not a LBS one. Use someone who will video you riding your bike from various angles with reference points to be able to calculate what adjustments are needed and advise on what changes to make re crank and stem lengths, bar widths and height, seat height and fore and aft position. Worth every penny as a good one will also measure you for cleat positioning and advise on where any tightness is in your muscles.

    So basically LBS fits aren't technical/detailed enough if riding regularly/training?

    Anyone know of anywhere in the Glasgow area that does proper bike fit servicing?

    Cheers

    When I asked my LBS they simply didn't offer the service, and only offered advice as to how my feet should be in relation to the floor ( for saddle height )
  • #david2012#david2012 Posts: 275
    philthy3 wrote:
    I forgot to mention I had a fitting done with Mike at BikeDynamics in Leomington Spa and can't fault him. He even stuck shorter cranks on my bike during the fitting to prove his theory. You won't go wrong if you use him.

    Thanks philthy3 .. Im thinking of doing the Dynamic fit with shoes so hopefully all is covered!
  • bykerbloke91bykerbloke91 Posts: 37
    Yes, I will probably go along to LBS next week and see what they say about bike-fitting and in the process pick up some pedals/shoes.
  • 964rh964rh Posts: 72
    I had a bike fitting on my mtb last year as I had swapped to spd's and was getting a hot spot on the outside of my right foot.

    Had it done at Bridgtown Cycles in Cannock and although I couldn't cure the hot spot issue with just the fit (the fit recognised that I had other biomechanical issues and needed prescription orthotics) the bike felt so much better.

    The wife had one on her old hybrid by the same company and hers flagged that the Scott she had just wouldn't fit her so she could ride proberly and enjoy it. This bike actually caused her to develop coccydynia due to the geo of the frame, she then part ex'd this and bought a road bike which (after the fit) she can ride with no issues.

    Recently had one done, again by the same place on my new road bike and it fits like a glove first time out.

    I'd advise anyone to get a fit and get it done by someone who knows what they're doing. It made my mtb cycling a lot better, comfort wise and efficientwise and i'll hopefully, fitness allowing, be the same on the road bike.

    Rob
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