unhappy rider / bike fit

[Number 7]

i currently ride a giant ocr. i've been having a lot of issues, just generally being uncomfortable on my bike. so i have been doing some reading on bike fitting (compact frames), and one topic i came across was that when your pedals are in the 3 / 9 o'clock positions, your knee on your front leg should be directly over the axel of the pedal.

does anyone have opinions as to the importance of this fitting technique? b/c my knee lines up about 2 inches behind this spot...and i know i'm stretching to reach my handlebars, which is causing arm/shoulder pain. but my saddle is as far forward as it can go, and the bike fits my legs/inseam great (i.e. i'm pretty sure i got the right size). any suggestions on how to move the saddle further up? new seatpost? anything?

[Dianyla]

It sounds like your bike is too long for you. Top tube fit is more critical than frame height since there isn't as much you can do to compensate if it is too long or short. By moving the seat, you have a 6+ inch range of adjustibility on frame height/inseam/standover. Whereas there is not as much you can do to shorten/lengthen the reach of a bicycle.

You might be able to work around it by getting a shorter crank and different handlebar stem that brings the front bars closer. But it sounds like it's too long for you.

[Trekhawk]

i currently ride a giant ocr. i've been having a lot of issues, just generally being uncomfortable on my bike. so i have been doing some reading on bike fitting (compact frames), and one topic i came across was that when your pedals are in the 3 / 9 o'clock positions, your knee on your front leg should be directly over the axel of the pedal.

does anyone have opinions as to the importance of this fitting technique? b/c my knee lines up about 2 inches behind this spot...and i know i'm stretching to reach my handlebars, which is causing arm/shoulder pain. but my saddle is as far forward as it can go, and the bike fits my legs/inseam great (i.e. i'm pretty sure i got the right size). any suggestions on how to move the saddle further up? new seatpost? anything?

What sort of seatpost does it have on it? If its a setback seatpost perhaps you could try a non-setback seatpost and see if that helps.

[Grog]

I strongly suggest getting a proper fit on the bike, by people who know what they are doing. Your bike shop should have done that when you bought the bike, but if they didn't, it's probably not worth returning there because they are clueless. The leg/inseam length is really just one of many parameters you have to consider when fitting a bike.

There are many parts that can be adjusted or even changed (like the stem) to fit you better. It's very important to have the right size and fit to prevent injuries. Please don't neglect this!

Good luck!!

[annie]

#7. I had a similar problem on a bike, years ago, before WSD bikes became available and I finally found a bike that fit. :rolleyes: Anyway, I had just paid a LARGE sum for a new carbon-fiber bike. And I COULD NOT RIDE IT COMFORTABLY! I was devastated. The saddle was as far forward as it could be. I was able to reach the brakes, but it was not comfortable and there was no possible way to achieve the correct placement of knees over pedals. I'd go for long ride and my knees would just ache and I would cry! I was pushing forward with my legs, not down and up and around. I simply could not afford to sell the bike, at a used bike price, and get a new one. Blessed are biking friends!!! A friend of mine had seen a seatpost advertised for triathletes and he told me about it. It is a Profile Fast Forward Seat Post. The seatpost actually has a forward bend as opposed to most seatposts, with a backward bend. I ordered one immediately. What a huge difference! I was able to ride the bike comfortably (tho' I knew the fit was not quite right and I would eventually want a new one) until I was able to afford a bike that fit me correctly in all aspects. Still...... I rode that bike for 5 years. And suffered very little. :) SO..... I recommend that you check into it. I haven't figured out how to add links here, but I've copied the URL of a site that advertises the product. See what you think. I also just ran downstairs and checked..... I still have my FF seatpost! And have no use for it. I'd be willing to let you have it for shipping cost, if you are interested. Think about it. Send me an IM if it sounds like a good idea to you.

http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=profile-design-fast-forward-seatpost

annie

[tatormc]

Just like everyone else said it's important to have an LBS do a bike fit. Here is a site that may give you some more detail in the mean time. http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/

[nuthatch]

I kind of like sitting behind the perpendicular. I've been told that this is just personal preference and won't mess up your knees, it just reduces your power over the pedals. Still, too long a stretch to the bars is a killer. The forward seat post sounds like a terrific idea and there's that Look Ergo stem that'll let you adjust it every which way to raise and shorten the reach. Very pricey, though! ;)

[Number 7]

thanks for all the help, ladies! i've become very attached to my bike despite the length problem, and i love going riding, so i really want to tweak what i've got (not to mention buying new = $$$). in addition to the new seatpost, i did just get a new saddle, which has already made a huge difference on the overall comfort factor. thanks again!!!
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