Bike Fitting

Bike fitting is the Art & Science of finding the perfect harmony between a rider and their machine. The rider should not be forced to “fit to the bike”; it is the bike that should be built to fit the rider. However before the bicycle can be designed we must establish the riders ideal “position”; it is the ideal position that is a major factor in establishing the design of the bike. The other important aspect is how the bicycle is then “tuned” to the specific performance requirements of each rider. These two aspects should not be confused.

Off the Peg Bikes, with Stock Sizes

Many riders are of average build and proportions and therefore “fall into” the pre determined sizes and designs produced by various cycle manufactures, in this case these stock size frames will offer you the possibility to create your correct fit.

Made to Measure Bikes

Ever since the sport of cycling was born frame builders have been working to understand the relationship between frame/bicycle design and performance. It was quickly recognised that even small changes in design and build could radically alter the performance of a bike and rider. For many years frames where built by hand, mainly from steel tubing and this allowed the frame to be “tuned” to the individual requirements of each rider. In recent years we have seen a major move away from these traditions, not so much of an industrial revolution, but more a revolution prompted by economic reasons. It is much easier to make a high performance frame, at a low cost, based on carbon fiber technologies using a molding process than it is trying to make the frame by hand and to measure. Throw in the Far Eastern labor costs and the Chinese commercial revolution and the production price has fallen even further.

However, at what real cost?

Making a frame in a mould restricts the cycle manufacture to using fixed or what we could call “averaged” out geometries and designs with a restricted range of sizes. For many riders they end up compromising their fit to try and fit the bike, in extreme cases it is not actually possible to create the correct fit for certain riders on a stock frame. In addition many are missing the opportunity to apply the performance benefits of having your bike frame “tuned” to perfection {including comfort or even aesthetics} There has been a dramatic increase in the number of crashes in the Pro Peloton over recent years, could this be due to changes in tire use? Faster riding speeds? More competitive riders? A reduction in the handling skills of riders? Or could it be due to the fact the riders are not sitting in perfect harmony with the tools of their trade? At Velosolutions we believe in the traditional values of the industry and are working to make sure the art of the small number of remaining frame “craftsmen” is not lost.

Magical systems?

There are many “systems” in the marketplace that claim to offer the customer their personal “magical fit”, most rely on body measurements being taken from the rider, then having these numbers averaged out to produce an automated frame/bike position. These systems do not work. {If they get close it is more by luck than science!} More often than not, the measurements are not even taken correctly. This can result in two different fits when different people carry out the fitting sessions on different dates. There is also no magical machine or measuring equipment that will produce the correct fit. Various tools of the trade help the “fitter” to carry out his job, but without the prerequisite skill, experience and knowledge, the fitter will never achieve the perfect, correct fit.

Why Velosolutions for my bike fit?

It is frighteningly easy to find riders of all levels that complain of discomfort or other problems when “sitting on the bike”. In our experience the majority of riders have the wrong “fit” and/or have the wrong size or design of bicycle. Our goal is to offer riders of all levels a complete 360 degree valuation and thereafter to continue to assist in the development of the ideal cycle position and the correct setting of the 3 key points of “contact:” {saddle, handle bar and saddle position}. Furthermore we are on hand from that point on to help arrive at the perfect custom bike design should it be required. Correct bike fitting is also a “preventative therapy”; many riders who come to be fitted by Velosolutions, do so after many months, or even years of riding in an incorrect position and this has usually resulted in a multitude of synergistic physical problems. It is better to prevent these from occurring in the first place, as it is often a difficult and complicated road to correct these issues retrospectively. Considering the small investment required {less than a pair of good cycling shoes} we think it is an investment well made.

Velosolutions, the Masters of the art and science of bike fitting.