How to get the right sized bicycle for you or adjust your bicycle to fit you better.
2
votes
1answer
66 views
How to do a bike fit?
Here on bicycles SE I often read questions about right sizing of a bike, how you should sit on a bike, what to do when some part of your body hurts etc. I also came across the answer
Go to a local ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views
Bicycle Geometry 101?
Are there any resources or books that discuss bicycle geometry? I am looking for resources that would allow to get a rough idea of how relaxed or aggressive a particular bicycle geometry is, by ...
2
votes
2answers
52 views
Pain in the lower back and neck during cycling
I am new to cycling (road biking). When I bend my back to hold the handlebar and maintain a low position, to avoid head winds, I feel a pain in the lower back and neck.
Is this normal?
Do we get ...
4
votes
6answers
542 views
How can I find the right size road bike without a test ride?
I am going to buy a road bike. I am considering a Trek 1.2.
I used the Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator to find the size of bike that fits me.
Inseam: 80.5
Trunk: ...
2
votes
2answers
89 views
Should/can I return a new bike that seems too big?
First off, this is my first road bike. I did quite a bit of researching and read lots and lots of guides/tips on how to choose the bike you want and all of that. The problem is that you can't really ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I tell if a bike is too big for me?
Today I disassembled my current fixed-gear, and reassembled all the parts in another frame, which I am considering to purchase.
The current owner of the frame warned me that it might be too big for ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
how to choose the size of a bike? [duplicate]
I live in India. I am willing to buy a trek 1.2.
What are the factors that would decide the size of my bike.
Inseam: 80.5
Trunk: 59.5
Forearm: ...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
Is it possible to measure your sit bones at home?
Some bike shops have gel pads that you sit on to measure the distance between your sit bones. Is it possible to take this measurement on your own at home, or does this really require special-purpose ...
4
votes
2answers
181 views
Does frame size inside a particular model affect the ride characteristics of the bike?
I read an article stating
that the smallest of a particular model of bicycle doesn't fully reflect the original design concept of the model
when I was about to buy the smallest (430mm seat tube) of ...
3
votes
5answers
875 views
Is reversing the stem (pointing it backwards) a safe way to reduce reach length?
Assuming a steerer/fork/brake/cable setup that does not rely on the stem facing forward: is it safe to point a stem backwards as a way to reduce seat-to-bar reach (i.e. as a way to 'fit' a too-large ...
2
votes
0answers
110 views
How to calculate bike stand-over height using frameset geometry and wheel radius?
While it's best to buy through fitting a bike in store, it's not always possible (discussed here).
On some websites, the stand-over height of a bike may not be listed as part of the specifications.
...
3
votes
3answers
399 views
What factors determine stem length ?
Recently I went to a local bike shop to get a bike fitting advice. After taking body measurements, I was given a frame size recommendation. According to that, seat tube size, top tube size and stem ...
6
votes
2answers
132 views
How much of the saddle rail is suiteable to use
Is it possible to safely set the seat to the max to get the saddle as far forward as it will go. Or should it only be clamped within the marked range 0 to 3.5? I have marked the points in red. The ...
3
votes
3answers
296 views
Sizing guide for road bikes vs mountain bikes
i usually take a 21 inch size in mountain bike, but I want to buy a road bike. I'm 6'2'' and have a 34 inch inner leg. How do the sizes translate from mountain bike to road bike?
Thanks
2
votes
4answers
132 views
Painful Feet: Might be related to pedal-foot positioning
Sometimes when I set out on a ride I will get the absolute worst foot pain. It is like a cramp in my arches on both feet.
I am wondering where exactly the center of the pedal should fall in relation ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Why such a dramatic drop in power when the handlebars are lower than the seat?
I have done long rides with the bar 10+ cm below the saddle without getting a sore back, or anything. Thing is, when I do, my average speed is 2 - 4 km/h SLOWER than when I have the bar higher up.
...
1
vote
3answers
223 views
How much smaller frame is ok?
I'm looking to buy my first MTB and I had an online calculator tell me to get a 17.5". My measurements are height: 177cm and leg 76cm.
Thing is, I found a bike that I REALLY want, but it's the last ...
8
votes
6answers
2k views
Bike Size to Human Size Conversion Chart
I am just shopping for used bikes right now online. I want to try and save myself a trip to visit the bikes by determining which bikes will fit me.
Does anyone have an approximate height-bike size ...
3
votes
6answers
269 views
Feet on the middle of the pedals
I am 1,85m tall, have shoes sized 58-59 (European) and have classic non sloped frame with seat tube 55cm. Problem is that my feet land with their middle on the pedals, not with the front part where ...
1
vote
2answers
140 views
Bike fitting in the UK
As an keen but casual touring cyclist I'm interested in getting a little more competitive and also keeping myself comfortable over longer distances. So I'm considering getting professionally fitted, ...
6
votes
3answers
5k views
Correct riding position on a road bike
I've been riding my bike for a while it's a 55cm square frame. I recently used the online calculator on competitive cyclist. It told me I'd need a seat tube of 53 and top tube of 57cm.
So I'm riding ...
15
votes
12answers
2k views
How can bum / testicle / inner thigh pain from a saddle be prevented?
I occasionally commute a 50miles round trip and by the end of it, things are usually not feeling very good down below.
I've tried a couple of different saddles, but they both gave me problems. One ...
6
votes
1answer
242 views
Can I leave headset spacers above and below the stem
I am in the process of building a bike with a new frame and fork. The groupset will be from a donor bike. When it comes to fitting the bike and cutting the steerer I would like to do some trial rides ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Is my bike fit a problem, I'm experiencing achilles tendon pain?
My calves are super tight when I finish my ride, and my Achilles are sore for days after a 20 mile rolling hill ride. Could it be that my seat height is too low? If not, what could be the root cause?
13
votes
9answers
10k views
Is it better to have a slightly big or slightly small bike?
I'm planning to buy a Scott Speedster S30 (This is my first road bike) and I'm looking at the size chart. I'm around 177 cm tall, and this fits exactly in between the M and L section. Just wondering, ...
1
vote
2answers
386 views
How to convert 17“ bike to 18” without changing frame
I bought Author Basic (2012) with 17" frame.
But I have some back aches after 2 or more hours of cycling (just cycling or with little jumpings) and sometimes I feel little unsure while riding ...
1
vote
3answers
240 views
Skid on small frame
I bought a new, cheap and maybe nasty fixed gear bike. They were only in sizes 54cm and 56cm, so I had to go for 56cm, even though my road bike is 61cm and I'm 186cm. My first few skidding attempts ...
0
votes
5answers
1k views
51cm top tube too small for someone who normally cycles frame with 55cm top tube?
I'm looking to buy a second bike and have found a really nice frame. The bike I cycle at the moment, which fits me perfectly (I am 5'11" (180cm)), has a 55cm top tube. The frame I'm looking at has a ...
14
votes
2answers
5k views
Explaining the effects of frame geometries
I asked about buying a bike here, and someone asked on my behalf about test-riding a bike before buying.
My question is, what should I know, or should have known, about the sizing or 'geometry' of a ...
4
votes
5answers
4k views
Starter Road Bike for Tall Man
I'm a marathoner that is interested in mixing in some biathlons and triathlons, but I am having trouble finding a starter bike (< $1500) made for a tall man. I am 6'6". Any brands and models that ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Why do I do the “saddle shuffle” when riding?
I was browsing some time trial videos on YouTube and came across a video on saddle shuffling, and I've been noticing that I do the same saddle shuffle a lot when riding hard. Did not really know it ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
I often get a sore neck when riding. How can I adjust the setup of my bike to help prevent this happening?
Quite often if I'm riding for longer than about an hour I get a sore neck. I assume that I can make some adjustment to my mountain bike to help prevent or reduce the soreness, but I don't know what. ...
18
votes
1answer
300 views
Selecting the right crank length
What is the best way to determine the correct crank length for my height and more specifically my leg length?
4
votes
3answers
432 views
Setting up a bicycle for someone with restricted knee articulation
My father, now in his 70's, had a left knee replacement several years ago. He has limited movement in that knee - probably about 85 degrees on a good day. His knee can extend fully, but cannot bend as ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Bike Setup: Correlation between seatpost offset and stem length?
Say the current setup uses a zero offset seatpost, and a 100mm stem. If the seatpost were replaced another seatpost that has a 20mm offset, should offset be subtracted from the stem length?
My ...
1
vote
3answers
301 views
Why do I have to keep changing positions?
Despite riding seriously -- about 6,000 miles/yr -- for over 20 years, I apparently have some kind of obsessive-compulsion thing about always fooling with my bike fit. (95 changes -- NOT a typo! -- ...
2
votes
1answer
196 views
Should my fore/aft range be so narrow?
I started setting my fore/aft by using the "hands off" method (being able to balance leaning forward with no hands). This occurs with the tip of my seat 8.5 cm behind the BB. But, at this point, when ...
0
votes
3answers
2k views
Pain on the sides of my feet
I've been having pain on the sides of my feet (outside about midway back on the foot(. I was wearing a pair of Sidi's size 43. Went to a Specialized 44. Still have the pain, so I'm thinking it's ...
4
votes
3answers
9k views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of riding a smaller Mountain Bike frame?
I am 182cm (5' 11'') tall and am looking into buying a new frame for my mountain bike.
Right now i have a 19'' frame and i found a good deal on a 17'' frame.
The guy from the shop told me that it ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
biking with lower back pain
I have regular lower back pain (mostly mild, with severe episodes during which I generally stay home; there's nothing wrong with my spine, I just sit at a computer too much). I just started biking to ...
9
votes
10answers
3k views
Pins and needles in my fingers after long rides
I've started to get pins and needles in my little finger and the finger next to it some times after riding for over an hour. The roads are quite rough and vibrate my handle bars quite a lot. I also ...
16
votes
2answers
7k views
What height should drop handlebars be - relative to my saddle?
I've done most of my cycling with flat handle bars on a mountain bike. I'd like to start commuting to work though and am considering getting a road bike with drop handle bars.
The thing is though, I ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
How long does it take to get used to a hard saddle?
I recently "upgraded" to a Romin Comp Gel saddle from a soft racing saddle because my old one, while extremely comfortable on long road rides, wasn't working for the TT position I'm now practicing for ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
Adjusting saddle angle on a road bike (drop bars)
I'll preface this by saying that I've been a mountain biker for over a decade, including XC racing for a couple years. I've never had a hard time adjusting the saddle angle (tilt forward or back) on ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
How to adjust seat saddle and saddle position for knee pain?
I understand that a seat too high can cause:
hips rocking trying to extend to pedals
pain in the back of the knee
And that a seat too low can cause:
can't fully extend legs
pain in front of the ...
4
votes
2answers
26k views
Frame sizing: “medium” vs. inches vs. centimeters
How in the world does 17-18 inches match up to 53-54 cm??
I was looking up bicycle sizing charts and found the ones on the Evans website interesting, if somewhat confusing. For example, see the ...
2
votes
2answers
880 views
How can I move the handlebars on a mountain bike close to the rider without affecting handling and control?
I recently finished building up a mountain bike, with the help of a friend. My initial rides - a few miles, nothing too extensive yet - revealed that I need to move the handlebars a bit up and back ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
What's causing soreness in front upper thigh?
I took off about nine months from cycling, then took my Specialized Crossroads Elite (upright comfort bike) to the local bike shop to be tuned up. They replaced the shock seatpost which was slipping. ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
How do you adjust the set-up of road bike brakes for women with small hands
My girlfriend has recently bought her first road bike. While the frame size is pretty much spot on and comfortable for her, she finds that the brakes are difficult to use and she ends up with pain in ...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
Should I get a bike that's too small for me?
I'm considering buying the 2010 model of the Pinarello FP2. They're substantially cheaper than this years model (~£700). However, they only have the 55cm frames in stock.
I'm 6ft tall, looking at ...
