So you want to ride a bike again. Ahhhh...to feel the wind on your face and re-discover that flying feeling of your youth. Well good thing about biking is you never forget how to ride one, but the proper fit can make your return to two wheels much more pleasant.
- Bike Height: You should be able to stand over the bike without making contact with the top tube while both feet should be on the ground.
- Seat Height: Adjust the seat of the bike so when pedaling your knee is just shy of being totally straight on the down stroke. Your knees should never lock!!!
- Saddle Comfort: Saddle is "bike-speak" for seat. You want a
seatsaddle that cradles your pelvic bones. You might think a cushy, soft seat is the way to go, but they can end up restricting blood flow and cause unwanted numbness. - Bike Helmet: You want your helmet to fit snugly, but not too tight and you can end up with a headache.
Enjoy the ride.
Petite Fleur
Max Mara
Missoni
Hubby and I just bought bikes over the weekend...he's not a fan of taking walks, so this is still something we can do together instead of sitting on our rears watching tv. Thanks for the tips!
1I am in the market for a new bike. Thanks for this article!
2we're just getting ready to take our bikes out for the summer, this is good to know so we can readjust them!
3If you are doing more than recreational riding, spend the money and be professionally fitted on your bike. When I began riding more seriously I started having terrible knee pain. My doctor suggested having my bike professionally fitted. It cost me about $75 bucks, which seems like a lot, but considering I haven't been back to the doctor and my knee pain is gone, it was worth it. It took about an hour and they measure you and fit you exactly how you should be to maximize your cycling and prevent injury.
4If you're in the market for a new bike, a decent bike shop should be able to fit a bike as well and most will tweak things as you learn more (at a later date). Some are free, some more detailed or medical fittings are not. But they are essential.
5When I got my bike, they measured me to have the bike perfectly fit my frame. It was a really good learning experience, they teach you a lot with placement and how your muscles work with the bicycle. They did it with their fancy computer and it took awhile, but it was definitely well worth it.
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