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Competitive Cycling

Joe P.PRO
Joe P. Sendmail

How do you adjust your bike properly?

asked almost 2 years ago | Report

I have a road bike (might get a tri bike someday) but I would like to adjust it so it fits me properly. I realize I could go get it fitted for me but it would be nice to know how to do it so I don't need to dedicate all of my money to cycling!

Are there some "magic angles" or rules of thumb that I can follow as a general rule?

- My bike has drop handlebars
- My goal is speed -- specifically for a triathlon

Answer

5 answers

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  • Kevin M.
    Kevin M. Sendmail

    This is a tough question to answer without pictures and diagrams but I'll do my best. There's one thing you should google though and that's KOPS (knee over pedal spindle) that is one of the most common and accepted methods for accurately adjusting saddle position. There are two things that are important for bike fit; the first is saddle position, and the second is handle bar position. First, you need to get saddle position sorted out so that you're not too high/low, too far forward or back, and angled properly. This will ensure that you utilise the most efficient pedal stroke that you can to get the most power and comfort, and also prevent injury. This position may change when in a TT riding position as opposed to a typical road position. If anything your seat will probably need to be moved forward about 1/4"-1/2". Assuming you get that all set up well, the next thing is handle bar position and in this case it's all about getting aero while trying to stay comfortable. You probably have clip-ons for your road bike to get into a TT position, and if you don't, I'd recommend some! I don't know that they are as adjustable as actual TT handlebars, there will probably be some kind of compromise, but basically you want to keep your back straight as usual, and have it so that your arms drop down straight from your shoulders to rest on your forearms. Without looking and seeing how you sit on a bike I can't really give any more tips than that, but perhaps some of the others will be able to chime in and add in.

    answered almost 2 years ago |Report

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  • Kevin G.
    Kevin G. Sendmail

    This is not as good as getting fitted, but there a few simple things you can adjust to give you a rough fit.

    1. Adjust the seat height so that at the bottom of your pedal stroke with the soul of your shoes parallel to the floor, your knee is just slightly bent. Not bent so much that someone else could look and tell your knee isn’t straight by looking, but just so much that you can feel that it is slightly bent.
    2. Adjust the saddle position forward/back so that when the crank arms are perfectly horizontal the bony knot on the front of your knee below the knee cap is directly above the spindle of the pedal.Readjust the seat height as needed.
    3. When you are in a comfortable riding position with you hands on the hoods, and you elbows bent a little, the top of the handlebars should block your view of the hub. If the bar appears to be in front of the hub, your stem is too long, if the bar is behind the hub, it is too short. You might want to bring your bike to the bike shop so you can try several sized of stem to make sure you don’t end up buying a size that doesn’t do the trick.

    answered almost 2 years ago |Report

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  • Bryce H.
    Bryce H. Sendmail

    Spend the money and have it fitted they can see angles better than we can while we are on the bike. Somethings you can skimp on but not this. I use to knee and back problems from an ill fitted bike Once I got it fitted I felt like I was on a new machine and after a month or so I went in and had it refitted at no charge.

    answered over 1 year ago |edited over 1 year ago |Report

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  • Joe H.
    Joe H. Sendmail

    +1 I went to a great bike shop and got fitted by folks who knew what they were doing they ever ran me through the computer to make sureI was dialed in. spent half a day there but it was time and money well spent.

    answered over 1 year ago |Report

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  • Malcolm
    Malcolm Sendmail

    There are no magic rules, just experiment within sensible limits. If you can make contact with a local cycling club, there should be people who can advise you on the road...the only real test. Even at the end of a long racing career, I always had a key to adjust saddle & stem during a pre-race warm up. Any new position will feel strange at first, so you may like to adjust little and often, giving each adjustment time for you to become accustomed. Your physical build and your riding style will influence your position. I always preferred a slightly lower saddle if I was expecting to be pedalling fast, and the reverse for big gear riding. Experiment, and take notes...good luck!

    answered over 1 year ago |Report

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