Choosing a bike: Sizing vs Fitting

Advice

There are many factors to consider when choosing a bike. Your budget, the type of riding you’ll be doing, the terrain you’ll be cycling on, whether it’s for commuting or off-road pleasure, your fitness level and many more considerations go into choosing the perfect bike for you.

Two often overlooked aspect are Sizing and Fitting. In this article we’ll explain what these are and how we can help you choose the perfect bike for you.

What is Bike Sizing?

Bike sizing is the act of selecting the appropriate size bike to accommodate the ideal riding position for you, the rider. This is the first step in setting yourself up for success to ensure the bike you ride is well suited to your body and riding needs.

A correctly sized bike will work with your body to give you long periods of cycling pleasure while reducing fatigue. Get it wrong, and you could risk getting tired sooner, or worse some form of repetitive strain injury.

What is Bike Fitting?

Bike fitting is the process of making adjustments to the touchpoints of the bike, such as the saddle and handlebars. Modern bicycles are highly customisable and highly adjustable. A correctly fitted bike will be as unique as you are.

There are many aspects of a bike that can be adjusted, here are just a few:

  • Pedals 
  • Cleats  
  • Cranks 
  • Saddle 
  • Stem
  • Handlebars
  • Hoods and levers  

The importance of getting sizing and fitting right

There are many reasons why it’s important to get the correct size bike and have it professionally fitted.

  • Comfort: to properly enjoy your cycling journey your bike needs to be comfortable. An uncomfortable bike is not just frustrating, it will also increase fatigue.
  • Injury Prevention: A correctly sized and fitted bike will reduce the risk of injury, both spontaneous injury caused by falling off and longer term RSI type injuries.
  • Power Production: A bike that has been tuned to your body type and shape will extract greater power from you while reducing effort.
  • Handling: Regardless of whether you’re using your bike for commuting on city streets and roads, or pushing hard off-road or challenging cycle routes, proper handling of the cycle is very important. And handling is improved by having a bike properly configured for each individual.
  • Aerodynamics: a well sized and fitted bike will improve the aerodynamics of the cycle-cyclist pair, encouraging a smoother and more fulfilling ride.

Get Professional Sizing and Fitting at Rossendale Bike Hub

Rossendale Bike Hub can give you expert advice on choosing the correct size of bike and getting it fitted to your unique criteria. Get in touch to find out more.

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