Professional Bike Fitting Question

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03-11-2005, 06:54 AM
Susan126

Professional Bike Fitting Question

Has anyone had a bike fit done with their bike? And did it help?

I have been road riding for quite some time and I have also been an avid mountain biker since 1999. I have never had any trouble with my leg or knee but last summer I think I over did it a bit. I pulled a muscle (inner thigh muscle) and that injured muscle caused irritation to a tendon that runs around my knee cap (to the right of my right knee cap if you were looking at me from in front of me). I went to PT and they massaged my thigh muscle while putting cortisone on my tendon with ultra sound and another device (electrical) that helped the body absorb the cortisone. It worked. The swelling in the tendon went away and the inner thigh muscle felt better. I started riding my mountain bike with no trouble at all. THEN I went on a road ride last weekend and 12 miles into my ride my thigh felt like it was pulling, it felt tight, and my knee started to hurt and burn (not the patella but the right inside of it). I called my PT and she suggested I come back for a bike fit.

So anyone have any experience with bike fitting?

Thanks guys!

Sue
03-11-2005, 09:42 AM
snapdragen

I did it last year - my knees have been thanking me ever since. The guy who did my fit is also a PT, and he spent a lot of time looking at my position, moving things teeny bits until everything was just right. He also put me on a computrainer to watch my pedaling etc.

If your PT recommends it, I'd do it. The smallest adjustment can make a big difference.
03-11-2005, 11:04 AM
bikerchick68

I had a lateral collateral ligament strain... the ligament that is to the OUTSIDE of the kneecap... everytime I rode it felt like my knee was being stabbed... went and spent $200 for a pro fit.. best money I have spent and worth every single dime! There is NO WAY I would have known to make all the changes that he did... but I have not had one single ride with any pain since! I have no idea if it would be this way for everyone, but it was a miracle. truly, for me! Good luck and I hope you have some wonderful, painfree rides soon... :)
03-11-2005, 11:16 AM
Susan126

Thank you guys!

I feel better knowing that you two had such good results. I go in on Monday. I will let you know how it goes! Thank you again for your great input Snapdragen and bikerchick :)
03-11-2005, 11:34 AM
Irulan

Susan, have you ever caught that thing on WSU -tv where they talk about bikes and bike fitting?

irulan
03-11-2005, 12:24 PM
Susan126

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irulan

Susan, have you ever caught that thing on WSU -tv where they talk about bikes and bike fitting?

irulan

No I have never seen it. I would love to though! I wonder if it will be shown again soon. Maybe the WSU site has a tv schedule. Did you find it informative, Irulan?

Susan
03-11-2005, 01:59 PM
Irulan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susan126

No I have never seen it. I would love to though! I wonder if it will be shown again soon. Maybe the WSU site has a tv schedule. Did you find it informative, Irulan?

Susan

It's on one of those public tv channels that runs WSU health stuff all the time. I've seen it on several times. It's fairly general, but there were a lot of good pointers for cyclists, specifically roadies, on various points of bike fit and riding posture that a lot of people don't know.

~I.
03-11-2005, 09:19 PM
Susan126

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irulan

It's on one of those public tv channels that runs WSU health stuff all the time. I've seen it on several times. It's fairly general, but there were a lot of good pointers for cyclists, specifically roadies, on various points of bike fit and riding posture that a lot of people don't know.

~I.

I will keep my eye open for it. I really hope this bike fit will help me out with my road bike. It's funny that my knee does not bother me when I mountain bike. So I have been mountain biking a lot . . . and lovin' it! I checked out your mountain bike tip site and really enjoyed reading all the comments and tips offered there. I think I do rather well on most (climbing, braking, descending) but switchbacks (right turning ones) have always given me problems. It's funny, I have no trouble doing a left turn switchback but a right turn . . . forget it. Only way I can do it is to unclip and pivot with my right foot. Maybe this will be the summer I do a right turn switchback! :D
03-15-2005, 07:11 AM
Susan126

So far off . . . unbelievable!

Well, I went in for my bike fit yesterday and I was so far off on so many things. I thought I had my bike set up correctly but apparently NO. The bend in your knee should be between 9 and 13 degrees. Mine was 35 degrees! The plum from my knee to the ball of my feet showed that my foot was not aligned properly with my knee. My handle bars where off too. She measured and re-measured and really took her time and after 70 minutes she had all the adjustments set. I will go for my first ride with the new setup this weekend. I can't wait to see the difference! I already feel the difference. It feels a lot more comfortable now sitting on my bike. :)
03-15-2005, 07:26 AM
Irulan

so, you had this done on your road bike,right?

~I
03-15-2005, 01:17 PM
Susan126

Yes, my road bike but I did take my mountain bike too. The only bad thing was the PT ran out of time and could only fit me to my road bike. Good thing is, I really was not having trouble with the mountain bike I just brought it along to see if it needed adjustment. I'm always lowering and raising the seat on it any way so I don't think it matters as much on a mountain bike. On a road bike you are always pedaling. That constant motion for 4 or 5 hours can irritate a joint that is slightly out of alignment.