Is a bike fit worth it for a beginner?

Bash82
Bash82 Posts: 13
edited June 2018 in Road general
I've only been road cycling for a month but I'm getting some pain near the palm of my hands, well where my thumb joins my hand really. I've tried moving them about but nothing really helps. I guess I need to work on my core so I'm not putting as much weight through my arms/hands but didn't know if a bike fit would help or be worth it for such a beginner? I live on the edge of the peak district so my rides are short but hilly at the moment, something around 10-12 miles in about an hour.

Comments

  • londoncommuter
    londoncommuter Posts: 1,550
    Give it some time and as Oxoman says, try tweaking things yourself. I'd guess any bikefit would be a bit of a waste at the moment as your body adapts to riding and your distance increases. It would be a shame to spend all the cash and your flexibility increases and you could have had a different set up.

    Are you on roughly the right size bike? Do you use the drops as well as the hoods? Presumably you use mitts/gloves? Are you constantly pulling on the brakes with your lovely hills up there? :D

    When/if you do get a fit then Adrian Timmis is in your neck of the woods:

    http://www.cadencesport.co.uk/bike-fitting.php
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 16,622
    as above, give it a while - maybe another 2-3 months to get your body used to things

    you should be able to ride with no pressure on your hands, being unable to do so could be lack of core strength and/or that the saddle position needs adjusting

    these may help you get an idea...
    https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bi ... can-it-be/
    https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bi ... oad-bikes/
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • imafatman
    imafatman Posts: 351
    Having only got a bike fit after about 15 years of riding bikes, I wish I had got one sooner.

    Does an absolute beginner need one? Not really but if you are really into this hobby then it's a worthwhile investment.

    You can get like 90% of the way to a decent fit just following guides online. So do that first, give the body time to get used to it and then go from there.

    A basic fit would cost about £100.
  • zefs
    zefs Posts: 484
    I would recommend watching this video and the whole bike fit playlist if you wish to learn a lot about bike fitting. He explains everything in a way that you can easily understand how everything works:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VrY3P4 ... p&index=22
  • Bash82
    Bash82 Posts: 13
    Thanks for all the advice. When I went out today I tried to concentrate on not locking my elbows which seemed to help quite a bit. I'll see what I can do myself by watching some videos as suggested then see what happens over the next few months.
  • JakeJ
    JakeJ Posts: 151
    If you're worried about your body changing and adapting after a bike fit, then you should bear in mind that any decent fitter should give you at least three free follow ups over the following weeks after a fit.

    A bike fit is a great thing and I highly recommend them to everyone and anyone, if you've just started then getting your saddle height, saddle position and cleat position perfect is a very worthwhile investment as to not damage your body and have a great time riding.
  • ds2288
    ds2288 Posts: 36
    I’d agree on the above about whether you are wearing mitts/gloves at all. I found ones with minimal padding reduced any numbness rather than those with chunky gel padding on them. A saddle that is tilted nose down by any amount will slide you forward on to the bars so try and set it up as level as possible with it putting pressure on you.
  • fontm0ss
    fontm0ss Posts: 31
    I’ve been riding various bikes over last 20 years but had my first bike fit in January. It was great and although arguably expensive and “invisible” I would recommend it.

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