Bike fit / correct riding position

FU - my saddle is about 5cm lower after bike fit, and stem 3cm shorter.

All round performance and #gainz going through the roof.

On CRC you have 30 mins to change your mind, literally. I can just return them if needed. But still, stupid Deda!

5CM ???

Something stupid like that

Apparently I hadn't been using my lower leg for years.....

I've never had a bike fit before, so this is my personal experience/report on my bike fit with CycleFit.

I decided to invest in a bike fit after I found that my knee and arc was starting to hurt after 5-6 hours in the saddle, I've been looking around several different shops around London (because I'm lazy) for a decent bike fit shop and I got recommended by a mate of mine for cyclefit, plus they do the pros for Trek and Matrix cycling team, I thought that was a good enough reference for me to use them.

As my appointment was on a Saturday there was only two people working there, however, the service and professionalism was amazing and I felt I was treated like royalty in the shop. There bike fit service I went for is the pro version (£395) which included the realignment of my shoes and I didn't know but also the custom made insole which help to support my arc and riding position.

After the paperwork about my riding history and personal data/measurements, Jim (one of the guys who works there) told me to get onto my bike (whilst it was on a turbo trainer) and we can analyse where source of my problem is coming from. We did this by filming me side, front and rear on, but also they installed a pressure cover sensor on saddle to see where I was riding on my saddle.

We quickly established the source of the problem which was where my bum (or lack of) was contacting the saddle and the height of my saddle. Front the pressure sensor we came to the conclusion that I was riding on the nose of the saddle that the actual seat of saddle which means than instead of 6 point contact, I was only have 5 and not really helping the balance and support of me or the bike to a degree. But apparently this was quite common, especially we get so comfortable with the padding in our shorts than that some riders rides this incorrect position with realising it.

For the seatpost apparently the golden rule of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle is: inseam on your leg minus 10. So with my inseam being roughly 79.5cm, my bb to saddle should have been 70cm, not 72.9cm which is what I was riding.

However, on the plus side, the riding position on my top half was in his mind was perfect which is nice to hear. Afterwards we did several different tests to check out my flexibility to make sure that if we adjusted the bike I could still riding that or more extreme position. The conclusion was that I was very flexible and have great hips for a cyclist.

After explaining what the benefit the custom made insoles, we analyse serval positions on the jig bike, which was quite fun because apparently the pressure sensor map wasn't picking me up as usually it works for guys who weight 80 or 90kg and my 71kg was a little light for its liking.

However, but the end of the day we did reach a conclusion about the correct riding position. Which in the long term it will be beneficial to the longevity for my cycling. However, because we have lowered the saddle, this also meant I had to change the front cockpit of my bike, which on a canyon with a 1 1/4 steerer is a pain in the ass! I have been asked to slam the stem to the TT and it possible find a -17 130mm stem. Apparently this will look pro, but as I'm an architect I find it really had to see anything beautiful in that...

Long story short, I wish I had longer legs!

Anyways hope you enjoy this read and if anyone needs any more information regarding cyclefit I would gladly provide you with what I know.

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Some pictures of my bike fit:

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FYI @Hovis

So in conclusion, I will either have to ride a bike with a -17 130mm stem or either get a smaller frame bike with a 150mm stem...

Oh I do have a strange body...

I will either have to ride a bike with a -17 130mm stem or either get a smaller frame bike with a 150mm stem...

Or a different brand of bike.

Or a custom...

This might also be the case. As Canyon is becoming a little mainstream...

I'll give the slammed stem and -17 stem a go and see where we will go from there, as I guess it very psychological for me when I'm riding, I rather have good looking bike over practical looking/fitting bike (if that makes sense)

#FormOverFunction

Those handlebars look to have very short reach - you could go for something with a longer reach if you wanted to avoid longer stems...

Indeed, I could go to a traditional bar set up and instead of a -17 I could possible get a -10 set up instead.

Sorry - its probably been covered before a billion times. Im thinking of going condor for a fit for a custom frame. Positive experiences? Neg? Do i need to spend a little more on fit? Weekend riding only - audax mostly. Little bit of trianing mid week in summer.

That's done it for me Hoke - I've some hip pain when walking which may be rooted in my bike fit. It has finally got so bad that I am going to these guys for a fit tomorrow. I spend 12 hours a week in the saddle. I'm in the market for a new bike to replace my fabulous 4 year old single speed - treating myself I hope by getting it right! Will let you know what these guys find.

Boom! It will be money will spent and probably have the same outcome with me in terms of 'why didn't i do this before' and 'oh i've been riding in the incorrect position for how long!'

and my personal favorite 'my damn bike is too big bike for me and i now need a different bike! DAMMIT!!!'

my damn bike is too bike

Worst excuse for n+1 ever.

Well there you go: Here's the list:
Saddle too high
saddle too far back
Bars too low
Bars too far forward
Feet too close together
Knees too far apart
Head too low
Back too bent
Neck over extended
Arms too straight
Hamstrings too tight
Oh and did you know that your top tube is buckled at the down-tube?

God knows how I got thru all these years with the wrong everything....

I rate the experience of the visit at 10/10 - great folks at Cyclefit Covent Garden (Jimmy looked after me) - and totally credible service. The equipment must be a huge investment although at £275 the service is not pocket money........... but as Hoke says...'why didn't i do this before'.

Glad it was helpful, but dang that list!

But at least you have all the data now and you'll be able to adjust or look for a bike that fits you correctly now =)

I'd love to have seen a before and after of you riding. Head down, arse up, knees out etc.

Before

After

I may be able to oblige you...waiting for pics!

I’m after some advice.
After a relatively sedate first ride back on my road bike I have had very bad neck pain.
Recently I’ve not been riding my road bike at all (it was in storage whilst we moved house, 5 months-ish).
I have been riding my drop bar touring bike though, which has less bar to saddle drop.
The road bike has always fitted fine. Can this simply be due to the break from a more aggressive position?

Had anyone invested in proper footbeds? Any recommendations?

There's always going to be a risk of neck pain if you suddenly do a much longer ride. Lower handlebars will exacerbate it but if you've been doing 10 mile rides for 5 months then go and do a 50 mile ride, you're going to feel it.