20/08/2017
Bike Fits Fail
Whilst a bike fit can improve feel and comfort for a ‘normal’ weekly mileage there are times when a bike fit will fail. Having just completed a 900 mile ride from London to Edinburgh and back again I can certainly vouch for this. It gave me time to ponder as to why I struggled with saddle sore, pins/needles in my hands and feet and swollen knees at the end and for up to 2 weeks after the event. Whilst every effort was made to ensure that the bike fitted correctly which included type of shoe and cleat position, I still struggled after 500+ miles. The remaining 400 miles gave me plenty of time to ponder the error in my ways….
In reality this is a bit extreme although it helps to highlight the importance of training loads and tissue adaptation. My body just wasn’t used to or ready for the abuse I was going to hurl at it! There is many a time that I hear people, who don’t ride their bikes regularly, complaining of saddle sore. Whilst there is a fairly strong argument to say that they are probably riding a poorly fitting there is also a case that their derrière has adapted to tolerate the distances being cycled. This is also the case in some instances with those who develop lower limb tendinopathies which again may have been caused by a poorly fitting bike but also a rapid increase in training load or effort. There needs to be a happy balance between the 2 – bike fit and soft tissue adaptation. This is also the case after a bike fit. It may take time to adjust to your new fit so it’s important to moderate your efforts and training volume to allow your body to adjust to its new position.
So next time you experience a new ni**le or discomfort remember to look at yourself before blaming your bike fit as it may save you a penny or two.
