Bike Fit

ghogie91

Hi All,

I have a question about bike fit.

Right I have a Giant Defy 4 and never had it fitted professionally. I have made short fixes and tweeks as I went along.

Story is I am getting a sore right knee (right down the center) and a sore lower back while going long distances. Most recent was the Ring of Kerry on Saturday where I was getting a sore lower back and was wishing for the food stops to come quickly so I could get off the bike and straighten out.

Would this be a common problem if the bike is not fitted properly? Im not asking for any medical advice at all strictly bike advice so the thread doesnt get closed.

It seemed as if everyone else were ok and didnt have sore lower back.

It is severly impacting on my cycling as I would have it in the legs to do a very respectable ROK time if it wasnt for the pain in my back from the bike.

All comments are appreciated.

Thanks,
Gary

Soarer

Novice here, but have heard a few different things along the way.

Firstly a proper bike fitting is a good thing. Something I've never done, but will do as soon as I can.
As for your issues, heard that a sore back can be from your stem being too long for you, which means you're stretching too far staining things.
Also heard that a sore back can be caused by your arms not being strong enough to support yourself properly. As they get tired, you back picks up the strain.

That might all be pish posh, but it's what I've heard.

funnights74

I highly recommend a pro bike fit, a few minor adjustments to the bike stem, brake hoods, saddle height, even the shoe cleats can make a huge difference, I had one done a few months ago here in Cork, a few little niggles I had went away, I just felt like a new, more efficient cyclist on a new bike.

AltAccount

Can you raise your bars/stem?

It can take a little while to get the strength/flexibility to maintain a flat or aggressive riding position

nordicb

Bike fit is probably the best choice, but it costs...

There are quite few articles on the web on how to do a basic fit yourself, which may help. Sore back may be caused by incorrect saddle angle and/or handlebar height, angle. For knee pain you may need some saddle adjustment horizontally so your knees are more or less directly above pedal axles. Just a thought.

Personally I had a very bad pain in the lower back just after 50km, but after an advise from experienced cyclist to change handlebar angle a tad higher the pain is no longer an issue. I did the RoK as well, free of pain to my surprise and delight.

You may also need to do some core strengthening exercises, which may help, so I've heard.

Kind regards

ashdale5

funnights74 wrote: »

I highly recommend a pro bike fit, a few minor adjustments to the bike stem, brake hoods, saddle height, even the shoe cleats can make a huge difference, I had one done a few months ago here in Cork, a few little niggles I had went away, I just felt like a new, more efficient cyclist on a new bike.

Where did you get it done in Cork if you don't mind me asking?

Soarer

ashdale5 wrote: »

Where did you get it done in Cork if you don't mind me asking?

+1.

derealbadger

If you want to get a fitting done on more than one bike do they charge for each bike or one price for the lot. Any recommendation's in Dublin area

Cee-Jay-Cee

I had a problem with pain in my upper back/neck when I got my bike. It would get sore after an hour in the saddle but a bike fit in which the stem was swapped out for a shorter one and flipped and saddle adjustment solved the problem. I have since changed the seat post and saddle and think (and pray) that I have a perfect ride position now.

funnights74

ashdale5 wrote: »

Where did you get it done in Cork if you don't mind me asking?

Jerry o'Dwyer, he's in the edge superstore near the kinsale road roundabout. There's a bit of a waiting list but it's worth the wait as he's excellent.

Max_Charger

funnights74 wrote: »

Jerry o'Dwyer, he's in the edge superstore near the kinsale road roundabout. There's a bit of a waiting list but it's worth the wait as he's excellent.

+1 for Jerry, got fitted with him too, really knows his stuff.

ghogie91

I booked a bike fit in Athlone here, my question is, if it is my stem bring too long, they i am guessing I will have to buy a new shorter one?

depadz

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/video/2013/jul/10/how-to-set-up-bicycle-pro-video

ashdale5

funnights74 wrote: »

Jerry o'Dwyer, he's in the edge superstore near the kinsale road roundabout. There's a bit of a waiting list but it's worth the wait as he's excellent.

Cheers. I know Jerry actually. He's a sound man.

There was something in the back of my head though that the Edge won't do Trek fits because they don't sell Treks.

Anyone else hear about this or am I cracking up?

Max_Charger

ashdale5 wrote: »

Cheers. I know Jerry actually. He's a sound man.

There was something in the back of my head though that the Edge won't do Trek fits because they don't sell Treks.

Anyone else hear about this or am I cracking up?

Cracking up or a very new policy, prob cracking up . He fitted me on a Radon brand bike he'd never seen nor heard of before, so you'll be grand with a trek.

Soarer

funnights74 wrote: »

Jerry o'Dwyer, he's in the edge superstore near the kinsale road roundabout. There's a bit of a waiting list but it's worth the wait as he's excellent.

Max_Charger wrote: »

+1 for Jerry, got fitted with him too, really knows his stuff.

What did he charge lads?

There's a fella advertising on donedeal working out of Victoria Cycles charging €90. Don't know if anyone has any experience of him.

seanin4711

Ballinrobe
no bells or whistles but the man knows what he is on about!
60quid bing bang bosh!
done
http://www.marreytrainingsystems.com/#/about-padraig/4517244269
not affilaited with Padraic in any way just happy with the service.
john

ashdale5

Max_Charger wrote: »

Cracking up or a very new policy, prob cracking up . He fitted me on a Radon brand bike he'd never seen nor heard of before, so you'll be grand with a trek.

Yeah spoke to jerry and there's no hassle with Treks or any other bikes. don't know where I came up with that one.

Anyway he said the waiting list for his fits is crazy so I'm getting it done with one of his colleagues at the Edge instead. It's not a full fit but I only need a few tweaks so it suits me fine.

ghogie91

Just to get back about the bike for!

Went to the shop to et my giant deft fitter, ended up that the bike was a mile too big for me and I was reaching 5 inches further than I should have so bought a new bike that is now fitted perfectly

I have done a sportive, enty of training and a club run since and the new bike being fitted properly is an absolute dream!!!!