Michael Haldeman from SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop shares some tips on determining the right bike size for you.
How to Choose the Perfect Bike Fit
By Ryan Biddix
Size matters when it comes to finding your perfect bike fit. Who better to walk us through size than Michael Haldeman of SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop, an experienced cyclist and mechanic with years of experience and expertise in matching riders to their ideal bikes?
In an interview with The Post and Courier, Haldeman shared valuable insights and tips on navigating the nuances of bike sizing.
Can you explain the importance of bike sizing and how it affects a rider’s comfort and performance?
Haldeman: “Proper bicycle fitting is vital to a rider being as comfortable as possible, being efficient as possible, and avoiding injuries. Ultimately, these factors affect the overall experience one has on their bike.
I equate a proper bike fit to fuel efficiency of a vehicle. An ill fitting bike is no different than poor gas mileage or running too little oil or transmission fluid in your vehicle. It just so happens that YOU are the engine.
With the proper bicycle fitting, you are ensuring that you are going to enjoy the experience on your bike ride after ride.”
What are the key indicators or measurements cyclists should consider when determining the correct bike size for their body type?
Haldeman: “Key indicators of a proper bike fit are typically very visual.
With a proper saddle height, the rider should have a slight bend in their knee at the bottom of their pedal stroke. Sitting too low will work your quads more than other leg muscles, leading to premature fatigue. Sitting too high will force you to reach for your pedals on your downstroke and could injure your tendons, in addition to causing you to rock back and forth on your saddle. This leads to saddle sores, muscle pain, and muscle fatigue.
Proper reach, how far your arms have to extend to reach the handlebars, is crucial to overall comfort on the bike. Too long of a bike will put undue strain on your back muscles, and ultimately give you less control of your bike’s steering by putting you in a very spread out position. Too short of a bike doesn’t allow your muscles to work in an efficient manner, and will most likely result in other issues like improper saddle height, lack of control of your bike, your knees coming too close to your handle bars, and overall discomfort even for short rides.”
Could you share common signs that a bike may not be the correct size for a rider, and what adjustments can be made to improve fit?
Haldeman: “See above. If your saddle cannot be set to the proper height, or your handlebars are too far away/too close, those are indications of an improper bicycle sizing.
I would say not all discomfort means you are on the wrong bike. No matter how perfect a bicycle fit you have, you can’t avoid some discomfort in the form of fatigue. Being on a bike is supposed to be a workout. Short term discomfort can occur. If a long term issue is present, this can be a tell tale sign of an improper bike sizing or fitting.”
What advice do you have for riders who are between sizes or have unique body proportions when choosing a bike?
Haldeman: “Visit SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop and let us guide you through a Guru Fit Experience.
We offer professional bicycle fittings using our Guru Fit Machine. This process entails laser measuring your bike, inputing the geometry of your current fit into our machine, and then having you ride the Guru Fit Machine (looks like a stationary bike) while we adjust your fit in real time with the hydraulic movements of our fit machine. Once we have dial in your new bicycle fitting, we apply this to your current set up.
We can also dial in geometry of bikes and bike sizing before you order a bike. If you are between sizes, this is valuable to ensure you are ordering/purchasing the correct bike from our shop.
In addition, saddle soreness is a common issue. At SpokeWorks, we hav a digital sit bone measurement too that enables us to dial in the appropriate Specialized Bicycle Company saddle for your body geometry. This ensures that we are headed down the right path of getting you a saddle that will aid in your comfort on your bike.”
Knowing the right bike size is crucial for every cyclist, be it a seasoned professional or a first-timer. As Haldeman of SpokeWorks highlighted in this interview, finding the proper bike fit is not merely for comfort; a bad bike-fit decision can further affect your performance, riding safety, and overall enjoyment of cycling. Armed with the knowledge shared here, you’re now equipped to confidently choose the perfect bike size for your long journey across the Carolina countryside!
Michael Haldeman and his team from SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop in Summerville, SC will be our on-site mechanics at BASC Basecamp this year!
