Bicycle Fit: Start Here in Your Search for Performance

Feb 25, 2011 by Georgena

Form, Fit, and Function

Different forms of bicycles perform significantly better on different types of stages—mountainous, flat, or time trial—so Tour riders need a range of bikes to remain competitive across the course. Imagine if you could choose different length legs before going on a hike: longer ones for the flats, shorter ones for the climbs. You’d be unstoppable—and you’d reduce the risk of injury by making sure your body moved exactly as it was designed to.

That’s essentially what’s at stake with bicycles. For a bike to function properly, it must have the right form and fit. Achieving that balance takes science, which is why Tour teams rely heavily on wind tunnel testing and computer modeling to perfect the rider-bike system. The ultimate goal is a fit that delivers maximum power and control, while still allowing the rider to hold an aerodynamic position for hours at a time.

As recreational riders, we face the same tradeoffs, starting with choosing the type of bike that best fits our goals. Do you want to ride for relaxation, socializing, transportation, competition, fitness, or travel? Will your terrain be mountainous, flat, or mixed? Will you ride on dirt trails, roads, beaches, or city streets? Your honest answers help determine whether a road, mountain, touring, hybrid, or another type of bike will serve you best.

Once you’ve chosen the right form, fit becomes even more critical. A properly fitting bike allows you to ride longer, harder, and more comfortably. Without a good fit, you’ll be sore, inefficient, and more prone to injury. The key to a lifetime of enjoyable riding lies in ensuring that your bike is matched precisely to your body.