Bike Sizing - How to get the right fit?

[ragbrai40]

I have a question regarding bike sizing. When I bought my road bike last year, other than standing over the middle bar to make sure I had the right crotch clearance and sitting on it for reach, they never did a "professional size" to adjust seat height, tilt, bar height, etc.

Now in my second season of long road riding and reading the numerous posts regarding aches/pains, correct sizing etc., I wonder if it would be a good investment to have the LBS where I bought the bike do one for me. They offered it at the time of bike purchase for a fee and I didn't have it done.

Also - in some other posts, some of the more experienced riders have commented on how perfectly the bike fits them and that they don't have issues with certain aches/pains.

When having a sizing done, do I need to be asking questions, looking for anything specific - obviously I'll share the issues, but other than that what should I expect? Thanks for any feedback...

[Irulan]

definately get a fit. Not only should they check standover, but top tube length, stem length, crank length, saddle fore/aft adjustment and KOPS ( knee over pedal spindle) for starters. My guys put me and the bike on a trainer, got out the measuring tape and checked all sorts of dimensions.

Even an adjustment of 1 mm in your stem can make a huge difference!!

Irulan.. bike fits like a glove

[Veronica]

Here's how Rivendell (where I got my bike) does it. Grant (the owner) is opinated, but he believes comfort is key.

V.

Rivendell Fitting

[Trek420]

"definately get a fit. Not only should they check standover, but top tube length, stem length, crank length, saddle fore/aft adjustment and KOPS ( knee over pedal spindle) for starters."

...and handlebar width, and....but frankly, I'd find ANOTHER LBS, any shop worth it's salt should fit you as part of the service, my LBS wouldn't let you ride out without making sure it fits. IMHO it's the single most important part your bike is the fit. I'd rather have a $40.00 garage sale bike that fits than a $3K bike that doesn't, well...maybe not ;-)

Nothing should hurt on your bike other than the soreness of a good hard ride.

"Even an adjustment of 1 mm in your stem can make a huge difference!!"

true, might be very minor adj.

TREK420 & now Mondonico.. both bikes fit like a pair of old jeans

[caligurl]

wow... the more i read on this forum.. the more ticked i'm getting at supergo!

we went to several different bike shops last weekend.. and ended up as supergo as they had the bike size that was recommended to me by the first one we went to (the dolce in a 51)

however the more i read.. the more i think my bike is too big.

i'm 5'2" and in my shoes i can stand over the bar. howeve in my seat i cannot touch the ground (or rather.. just barely on one tippy toe)

reading this thread it seems like i'm supposed to be able to be on my seat and both feet (toes) reach the ground????

also.. supergo has that computer sizing thingy and my hubby asked how much it was.. cuz he wanted to do it.. they said no charge if you bought the bike.. however.. then they just blew us off and another guy came over and said it wasn't necessary... and they would fit us if i had shorts, shoes and pedals (which we bought to get me fitted.

however once i put the shorts and shoes on.. they did nothing except tell me how to shift and unclip...

should i go back and demand the computer fitting? do you think my bike is too big and if so.. what are these kinds of stores return policies (i've had it less than a week)

help!

[bounceswoosh]

I can't touch the ground with both feet from my seat. Neither can the female friend with whom I usually ride. Having room between the top tube and your sensitive bits is much more important than being able to touch the ground from your seat.

It does make it a bit harder to get started on uphills, but that's about it. If it's a choice between being able to pedal comfortably and being able to touch the ground while seated, choose pedal comfort!

[jobob]

It's my understanding that, on a properly fitting road bike, you are not supposed to be able to touch you feet on the ground while you are seated in the saddle.

This is a really good article on the basics of mounting and dismounting (including a good way to get started going uphill)

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/starting.html

[caligurl]

oh ok... i'll stop wigging then... i do have the room between the bar and my girlie area... i'm off to read the article now!

[bounceswoosh]

Well, I'm on a mountain bike, and generally on a mountain, too -- I use the technique he describes to get started, but if the terrain is loose or chunky enough, it can still be difficult.

[hibiscus09]

Mine's 51cm and I'm 5'3.5" with a shorter torso and longer limbs --like a monkey! I had trouble with my bike also last year and ended up with very sore neck issues and hands -- they finally did a professional sizing and switched out the handlebars (they were too wide) and the stem. I haven't had any trouble since, but I agree that a bike shop should do all of this from the getgo when you're spending that much money on a bike! They understood I was a brand new cyclist when I was purchasing the bike and didn't do anything as far as sizing me to the bike other than asking how tall I was and then sending me out on it down the road to see how it felt. I had no idea what I was doing and I guess it's my fault for not researching better.

I may be giving up on my LBS and finding another one as I have another issue with them this year. I ordered 4 beach cruisers at the beginning of the spring and they still haven't delivered one of the bikes. They keep telling me it is backordered -- this news came to me when the first bike came in after I had already paid for all 4 bikes. It's still backordered. They also tell me they will call me back everytime I talk to them and never do. I'm getting older and am worried that soon I will forget I ordered a bike and paid for it!! LOL Just kidding! Anyway, it's not a very good way to run a business!

[bounceswoosh]

I hope you have the order in writing ...

I'm out $2000 on a "handshake" deal to order some stuff (I was young and I thought I could trust the guy. Trust is a bad idea when it comes to money.)

Seriously, you should ask for your money back. There must be a time limit. I mean, internet companies always end up cancelling your order and refunding your money if the backorder will last longer than 30 days ....

[hibiscus09]

Thanks for reminding me! I'll call this morning.

[Biking Chick]

If I could throw my two cent's into the discussion ....

Even after you've been fitted for your bike and you've put on a couple dozen miles if you start feeling a few aches that you know (or even suspect) aren't due to the amount of miles spent riding - you should have someone who is knowledgeable check to make sure your seat is the correct height (I am assuming that the procedure for checking is on one of the web sites that were sent in earlier messages). Moving the saddle up, down, forward or backward a fraction of an inch can make all the difference in the world.

If the front of the saddle is too high - even a fraction of an inch - it can cause a tremendous amount of discomfort ... especially for women.

Our son's girlfriend purchased a Trek 6700 from the lbs - it was the only one in stock and the owner (of all people) convinced her that it was the perfect size for her. A year later, it took a couple of different headsets and lopping off an inch of handlebar in order to have the bike fit her better (all performed by my hubby) ... still not the best fit but certainly better than it was.

I find it very empowering .. and helpful .. to be able to recognize when my body is telling me that there is something wrong with the fit of my bike. But that didn't come by osmosis ... I had to ask a lot of questions of people more knowledgeable about bicycles than myself ... and doing a lot of reading as well.

Don't be afraid to ask questions ... you shouldn't have to suffer in silence because you think your question is stupid.

Cindy

[caligurl]

ok... i gotta ask.. (cuz i'm too chicken to call the shop)... do shops (large chains.. specifically supergo) take back bikes?

the more i read the more disgusted i am with their lack of service (not doing the computer fit i asked for numerous times.. sending the bike home with a crooked seat... i don't have 2" standover... the look pedal issue... etc.)

i think i would rather just take the bike back and go elsewhere where i can get good service!! of course i'll have to wait for them to order a bike.. which is why i ended up with supergo... they had what i thought was my size... there we several shops that were closer (supergo is 2 1/2 - 3 hours from me)

or am i stuck?

[hibiscus09]

I dunno. I'm still waiting for the LBS to call me about my missing bike-- I called this morning and the guy has not called back. It's really starting to get on my nerves!!