Come out to the Ed Rudolph Velodrome in Northbrook tonight. My team is sponsoring the evening’s event. Track racing is arguably the “purest” form or bicycle racing. Even for experienced racers of other disciplines, it’s a great way to watch tactics unfold (the entire “race course” is visible) and I can guarantee you’ll learn something.
I really like the forum on Cyclocross Magazine’s website. A lot of really good questions get asked there and they’re almost always answered well. A couple recent discussions I participated in over there brought up the issue of bike-fit. I really can not stress the importance of a good bike fit enough. If you think you like riding/racing now, after getting a professional fit you may find it hard to get out of the saddle day in and day out.
You can fit your bike yourself. In fact, I’d say that if you haven’t at least followed the steps found here, you are doing yourself a dis-service. However, to fully garner all the benefits of the process you should have outside input.
There are several processes that I’m somewhat familiar with. A popular one is the Retül Fitting and you can also have high-precision fittings done locally using the Fitmaster; made in Wisconsin by Waterford. Both, if done by a qualified professional, will make your entire riding experience a better one.
Personally, I’ve had Wobblenaught fitting performed on my road bike. It also allowed me to take the same numbers generated by its measurements and apply them to my cyclocross bike. I will say that mountain bikes are measured totally differently than road and ‘cross bikes, so if you’re an MTB enthusiast you’ll want a separate fitting for that particular bike. (If I wasn’t so currently soured on serious MTB riding, I would be bringing mine in ASAP.) If you are interested in this fitting, please email me and I will give you the number to set up an appointment.
The measurements taken of riders’ physiques then applied to bike size and set-up create not only a newfound level of comfort but of performance. I was floored at how improperly I was setting up my bikes before I was fit. I’m also amazed by how small an adjustment can be to make a huge difference in your fit. I am lucky to be able to go back to my fitter to make these adjustments, and others should follow suit.
I’m also kinda skeptical (or jealous?) of people who can get by based on the Competitive Cyclist fit, or by just ‘experimenting’; with their set-up. Either way though, it makes a huge difference in your performance and comfort on the bike.
…ride it.
