| It was about 27 years ago when I bought my very | | | | not enough to accept "well this frame seems to fit |
| first road-bike so I could take a run at the Ironman | | | | you." Your body weight, the length of your arms and |
| Triathlon in Kona. I can still remember when I bought | | | | legs, gender, and many other factors all come into play |
| the bike the exact method that was used to ensure | | | | and have to be considered when you are being fit for |
| the bike would fit me. The salesman had me straddle | | | | a bike. |
| the bike with my feet flat on the floor and then | | | | If you go into the aero position on your bike and are all |
| checked for clearance between me and the top tube | | | | "scrunched up" you will not be cycling with efficiency |
| of the bike. There was a couple of inches of | | | | and most likely will not be using all the big muscle |
| clearance so the verdict was considered a "perfect | | | | groups of your legs to best advantage. Plus, you will |
| fit." | | | | hurt all over during and after you go on rides that might |
| Right. | | | | require you to be on that bike for hours. It's really no |
| Well, my introduction into the world of road biking | | | | different if you are stretching your leg way too much |
| began and from almost the very beginning I hurt pretty | | | | at the bottom of the pedal stroke. There is definitely a |
| well everywhere. Of course the further I biked, the | | | | happy medium between over-reaching on every down |
| worse I hurt. My hands, knees, neck, back, and a | | | | stroke and being too cramped, and that's why you let |
| crotch that went numb became my badges of honor. I | | | | a professional find that sweet spot for you. |
| just assumed this was a normal part of being a road | | | | If it's done properly, the adjustments will be made to |
| warrior of the biking fraternity. | | | | "your bike" to fit your particular body-type and frame. |
| It's hard to believe, but things even got worse for me | | | | The bike seat can be moved forward or back, or |
| when the very first "aero-bars" were introduced into | | | | raised or lowered, and the height of the handlebars |
| the market-place as the sport of triathlon began to | | | | can bars can be altered. It might involve putting a |
| pick up steam. My back and neck might have hurt | | | | longer or shorter stem in the handle-bars. Even the |
| before, but now it became a nightmare and I adopted | | | | pedal crank might have to be replaced. A pro will |
| the mindset that biking was not meant to be fun and | | | | make adjustments by mere mileometers in some |
| was just something I had to endure if I wanted to be a | | | | cases that will eventually make you and your bike |
| triathlete--especially an Ironman. | | | | perform as one unit. Also, the days of tilting seats back |
| Boy, was I wrong. | | | | and forth to alleviate crotch pain or numbness are long |
| As the years passed and more and more triathletes | | | | gone. Now there are specific saddles for men and |
| hit the road on their increasingly more expensive | | | | women and many cyclists seem to be unaware of |
| tri-bikes, people who really knew about bikes began to | | | | that. |
| realize the terrible body position so many triathletes | | | | If the fitting is done properly, it will be obvious the very |
| were enduring on every single ride. Here they were | | | | first time you get back in the saddle and out on the |
| going to their doctors and physiotherapists, massage | | | | road. First of all the comfort level should increase |
| therapists, and witch doctors for help, when all that | | | | dramatically and the every single cycling stroke will be |
| was needed was re-positioning on their bike in order to | | | | smoother and in sync. Many cyclists are actually quite |
| alleviate the pain and enhance their over-all biking | | | | shocked at just how much smoother and faster they |
| performance-- by a huge margin in some cases. | | | | can ride without working any harder than they did |
| It might cost a bit these days to go to your local bike | | | | before their bike was properly fitted. Equally important |
| shop professional and get properly fitted to your bike, | | | | for triathletes is being comfortable and efficient in the |
| but for anyone who is intent on spending hours on their | | | | "aero" position. It doesn't really matter what your ability |
| bike in order to develop the skill and conditioning to | | | | is as a cyclist or triathlete, being in the perfect aero |
| take on triathlons, the investment is well worth it. In this | | | | position on your bike will translate into putting out far |
| day and age, any reputable bike shop should offer that | | | | less effort on the bike course and making the transition |
| service to you when you purchase a bike from them, | | | | to the run far less painful. |
| and I don't just mean standing over the top tube to see | | | | Whether you are getting ready for your very first |
| if there is a few inches of clearance. It should involve | | | | Olympic Distance triathlon, or getting ready to tackle |
| tweaking your bike so it fits "your" body frame | | | | the Ironman, a properly fitting bike will make those |
| followed closely by analyzing your body position to | | | | training rides much more enjoyable and productive and |
| improve the efficiency of every single pedal stroke. | | | | could very well be the key to achieving your goals on |
| Everyone is built differently and that's why it's simply | | | | race day. |