Q. How do you figure out what size bike to get? I'm an adult and not sure how you figure it? I still have my bike from when I was a kid. Seemed to be pretty big then. Not sure how I'd fit on it now. But was probably looking to get back into riding a bike for exercise or just for fun. So if that one might be too small now, how do I size for a new one?
Answer
Worth the read:
http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html
Short version: You need a frame that lets you adjust to the correct seat height, and has the right length top tube so you're not too stretched out, but not banging your knees on the bars either.
As a kid, you probably had an inexpensive bike with a generic one-size-fits-all frame. If you're average size (5'8" or so), it may still fit with the appropriate adjustments. Of course, as a serious bike person, I think you'd ride more and enjoy it more with a newer machine set up just for you.....
To give you an idea, I'm 5'9". I ride a 54cm tri-bike, and an 18" mountain bike.
How important is setup? A couple years ago, I put together my current mtb from a new frame with a mix of old and new components. Having trained and raced for decades, I have my riding position pretty well set. I took careful measurements of seat height, saddle position, bar height, etc. before dis-assembling the old and reassembling the new.
A couple weeks later, I started having shoulder problems at swim workouts. Pain, crunching noises. At first, I put it down to old age and past injuries catching up with me. On a hunch, I remeasured my bike. It turned out I had somehow put the saddle 1.5 cm further back than intended. Moved the saddle forward, shoulder problems went away in short order.
Obviously you wouldn't know what your setup is SUPPOSED to be, so you might find it worthwhile to have a bike shop do it even if you keep your old bike. Ask questions. As you get more experienced, you may find it necessary to make small adjustments from the basic set up.
For racing purposes, a lot of triathletes pay to have their setup done on a trainer with a power tap and heartrate monitor to make sure they get as close as possible to the performance sweet spot. Top level pros do this in a wind tunnel to add the aero drag component.
Worth the read:
http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html
Short version: You need a frame that lets you adjust to the correct seat height, and has the right length top tube so you're not too stretched out, but not banging your knees on the bars either.
As a kid, you probably had an inexpensive bike with a generic one-size-fits-all frame. If you're average size (5'8" or so), it may still fit with the appropriate adjustments. Of course, as a serious bike person, I think you'd ride more and enjoy it more with a newer machine set up just for you.....
To give you an idea, I'm 5'9". I ride a 54cm tri-bike, and an 18" mountain bike.
How important is setup? A couple years ago, I put together my current mtb from a new frame with a mix of old and new components. Having trained and raced for decades, I have my riding position pretty well set. I took careful measurements of seat height, saddle position, bar height, etc. before dis-assembling the old and reassembling the new.
A couple weeks later, I started having shoulder problems at swim workouts. Pain, crunching noises. At first, I put it down to old age and past injuries catching up with me. On a hunch, I remeasured my bike. It turned out I had somehow put the saddle 1.5 cm further back than intended. Moved the saddle forward, shoulder problems went away in short order.
Obviously you wouldn't know what your setup is SUPPOSED to be, so you might find it worthwhile to have a bike shop do it even if you keep your old bike. Ask questions. As you get more experienced, you may find it necessary to make small adjustments from the basic set up.
For racing purposes, a lot of triathletes pay to have their setup done on a trainer with a power tap and heartrate monitor to make sure they get as close as possible to the performance sweet spot. Top level pros do this in a wind tunnel to add the aero drag component.
Who makes the most comfortable seat for a mountain bicycle?
Q. I'm a guy.
Answer
Saddle comfort is much more a matter of fit than brand. The width of people's pelvic bones varies significantly. If your saddle doesn't fit your pelvis, it will be uncomfortable.
Specialized has an system to measure your pelvic width. Basically, you sit, fully clothed, on a gel pad. You measure the width of the indentations made by your pelvic bones. Then you select the proper width saddle. I found I have a very narrow pelvic structure. (My kids have called me a tight a$$ for years, but that may be a different issue.) In any case, I've been very pleased with the Specialized saddle I have and put thousands of miles on it. Unfortunately, for some long forgotten reason, I put it on my son's bike a few years ago and he has commandeered it. (Perhaps, he too will turn out to be a tight a$$.)
In the meantime, I have been using a WTB saddle. I have also found that Fizzik makes some very comfortable saddles.
Hope this helps.
Saddle comfort is much more a matter of fit than brand. The width of people's pelvic bones varies significantly. If your saddle doesn't fit your pelvis, it will be uncomfortable.
Specialized has an system to measure your pelvic width. Basically, you sit, fully clothed, on a gel pad. You measure the width of the indentations made by your pelvic bones. Then you select the proper width saddle. I found I have a very narrow pelvic structure. (My kids have called me a tight a$$ for years, but that may be a different issue.) In any case, I've been very pleased with the Specialized saddle I have and put thousands of miles on it. Unfortunately, for some long forgotten reason, I put it on my son's bike a few years ago and he has commandeered it. (Perhaps, he too will turn out to be a tight a$$.)
In the meantime, I have been using a WTB saddle. I have also found that Fizzik makes some very comfortable saddles.
Hope this helps.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: How does one size themself for a bicycle?
Rating: 94% based on 932 ratings. 4,1 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 94% based on 932 ratings. 4,1 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment