GETTING THE RIGHT FIT IN A BIKE

Frame Fitting

The frames of road racing and mountain bikes are similar in shape but are designed for strength and stability. The frame supports the rider and accommodates the saddle/seat, handlebars, stem, brakes, transmission, and wheels. A slight design variation can create different characteristics and performance levels. In addition, modern bicycles in America have either the internally geared multi-speed hub or derailleur gear system. Both systems allow cyclists to control the pedal ratio to secure a comfortable and efficient rate to travel up or downhill or to deal with head or tailwinds. Although through the years there have been many developments such as the ten-speed, the mountain bike, sleek racing bikes, and the recumbent bicycle, I‘m sure there will be even more designs and changes in the future.

The most important feature of a bike is how it fits the rider. Since we’re all unique in physical build, it’s important that you select a frame that closely fits you. Then you can make adjustments to the bike to accommodate your physique and body position for the type of riding you’re interested in doing. All bike shops offer bike-fitting services to their customers free of charge and will provide the service to non-customers for a small fee. If you’re considering mountain or road racing, I suggest you select the smallest frame that fits you. Remember, the length of your legs will determine the correct frame size for your bicycle.

Bike specialists recommend that women be mindful of the fact that an average woman is shorter in the torso than an average man is and has a shorter handlebar reach. For this reason, I wear sneakers and look for a bike that allows me two to three inches’ clearance over the top tube when my feet are flat on the floor. I find road bikes with smaller frames weigh less and are stiffer and more responsive to my energy movement when riding. On the other hand, for touring or leisure riding, I use bikes with larger frames because they provide more stability on descents and when rounding corners.

Fine Tuning a Fit

The fine-tuning process is very detailed and hard to explain without talking about seat post adjustment, stem, and hub axle of the bike and your height, torso width and length, arm length, weight, crotch clearance, and so on. All you need to know is that a fitting machine measures both tall and short riders, and a specialist (who is experienced in this field) makes the adjustments to accommodate your physique. After your bike is fitted to your body physique, it’s important that you ride it regularly so your muscles will adjust to the position and to your riding movements.

The Seat

The bicycle seat is also called a saddle. You’ll find saddles are similar to people – they come in all sizes, styles, and brands. Some riders may swear by a particular saddle brand and promise it will provide you with the best ride ever.

But don’t believe it! I’ve purchased two different types of saddles and gel covers (made from a type of closed-cell foam, in which the bubbles are under higher than normal pressure), and guess what? My butt still hurt until I adjusted my saddle position to fit my riding style. I had to ride many more miles for my butt to adapt to the saddle and riding movements.

I’ve found the best saddle for me is the classic rigid racing saddle that came with my hybrid bike. The wider and softer saddles interfered with the movement of my legs, caused chafing on my inner thighs, made my lower back hurt, and prevented me from applying pressure to my pedal to increase my speed.

If you don’t intend to ride often, a good saddle choice for you might be one with a built-in-gel layer, better known as a gel saddle. The gel provides a thin cushion between your butt and the hard saddle surface and minimizes soft-tissue bruising, but lacks the bouncy movement provided by a heavily cushioned or spring-loaded saddle.

Most bike shops carry a saddle specifically designed for women. Some women say these saddles are terrible; others think they’re excellent! Whichever saddle you decide to purchase, I have to warn you that you will experience butt pain and/or numbing in the crotch area on the first few rides. The only thing that can ease this discomfort is to have the saddle adjusted to accommodate your riding style and then to ride, ride, ride. You’ll soon begin to notice (1) your butt muscles are less sore, (2) you can ride longer distances prior to taking a break, and (3) you forget what you’re sitting on and how small your saddle really is. Believe me, this is real progress! So, forget about spending more and more money trying to find the prefect saddle – there aren’t any! Buy one you feel you can live with and ride often to tone your butt.

Proper Clothing

Before we go any further, let me share this little secret with you. The type of underwear, pants, or shorts you wear while biking has a big effect on your comfort. All garments with seams and elastic cause chafing and make your biking experience unpleasant. So invest in a good pair of cycling-specific shorts, underwear, or pants and enjoy your bicycle rides. Cycling shorts and pants are worn without underwear and should be washed after each wearing. You can wear special cycling underwear or briefs under regular garments as an alternative to the cycling shorts and pants. The more expensive cycling garments have thicker, better crotch pads, are made of heavier fabric (which provides better body support), and last much longer than cheaper garments.

The Handlebars

Handlebars for bikes have certainly changed through the years. I remember when handlebars were just a straight bar, and the brakes were in the pedals. Am I telling you my age?

Road bikes usually have drop bars that are elegantly curved to resemble a ram’s horns. The drop bars allow you to sit low on the bike in a streamlined position and to grip the bars in three or four different spots. This lets you rest your arm and neck muscles and relieves back stress.

Mountain bikes and hybrids are usually equipped with old straight handlebars but you can add bar ends to these bikes too. This relieves stress by varying hand and riding positions.

Brakes on bikes are similar and all brake levers are located on the handlebars. The main difference between expensive and inexpensive brakes is the weight of the construction materials.

The gear system control is also located on the handlebar. Gears give you a choice as to how hard or easy you want to pedal to get up a hill or mountain, or on any other terrain you encounter while biking. More gears enable you to exercise better, smarter, longer, and to burn more calories than fewer gears will. However, if you only want to bike for fun or charity events, a 21-speed bike is better because it provides a "granny gear" for climbing elevated terrain, whereas the 12-speed doesn’t.