Why Get a Bike Fit?

I am asked this question almost weekly for many years now. It comes from the people who visit the bike shops I’ve been partnered with. It comes from people who speak to me on group rides or have come up to me at races. It comes from folks I meet at dinners and gatherings when they ask me what I do for a living.

The easiest, shortest answer I often give to people is: to maximize a rider’s comfort on the bike and prevent injury. This one is easy for the questioner to discern because every person can distinguish between something that feels comfortable versus something that feels uncomfortable. And riding a bike is the same. So often I meet riders who think that their feet are supposed to hurt after a bike ride, or that it’s normal for their neck muscles to tighten during and after a bike ride. Or that grabbing the handlebars on their road bike at the curve of the handlebar (tops) instead of on the brake hoods as they were designed—that that is normal. None of these scenarios described above are normal—they are all problems that a qualified bike fitter can easily solve. You can be comfortable on a bike!

The next answer I use is: a bike fit is essential to maximize force production on the bike. Everyone, whether they know it or not, would like to maximize their force production while riding. From the competitive bike racer types to the Thursday morning gravel-riding retirees, do you think anyone wants to learn that with each pedal stroke they are pushing with 10% to 20% less force than their capabilities. No one wants to think that is their situation. But it is something I see very often with riders, especially those who have never had a fit by an experienced professional. I am not talking about Power production (Force times Velocity) but Force production (Newtons)—simply how hard you can push down on the pedal at one moment. You would be surprised what one or two changes in a rider’s setup can do to improve their Force production.

Another answer I use less often is: to maximize a rider’s speed while pedaling—or some other clumsy gathering of words. I use this answer with people already interested in or participating in cycling. This cohort is already acquainted with the ‘need for speed’ and can easily imagine going faster for the same amount of effort. I explain to them that there are certain parameters we have to work with—and within those parameters we can usually find ways to increase their speed with the same perceived effort.

I use all three of these answers in response to the question: Why get a bike fit? You should get a bike fit to be more comfortable and prevent injury, to ride with greater muscular and cardiovascular economy, and to ride faster.