Bike Fit: Optimise Your Bike Position for High Performance and Injury Avoidance

by Phil Burt, Chris Hoy (Foreword), Chris Boardman (Foreword)

This practical guide, written by a leading BIKE FIT expert, takes you step-by-step through the BIKE FIT process – to ensure you maximise your cycling potential. Do you suffer from lower back pain after a long weekend ride? Do your shoes wear out on one side more than the other? Are you experiencing numbness in your hands, or knee pain? Phil Burt, Head Physiotherapist at British Cycling and Team Sky Consultant Physiotherapist, has worked with hundreds of cyclists to help them solve these and many other classic cycling niggles. In this book he outlines his methods to help you analyse your position and get the best from your bike. The right BIKE FIT can mean the difference between a good ride and a bad one, but a professional fit can cost more than you paid for your bike. The information is all here. Let Phil Burt guide you through your own BIKE FIT, to ensure your bike and body work in harmony. Packed with useful diagrams, step by step diagnostics and case studies, this is the must-read for any cyclist keen to get a performance advantage.

Genres: Cycling, Fitness, Sports, Nonfiction, Bicycles, Reference

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[India M. Clamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you cycle, we learn by trial/error. Some of the best lessons are done in real time (IRT)/ Professional athletes slip in, cycle and are analyzed. Notice variance of position, use of energy and how rigorous the life of an athlete is. Nutrition is a substantive part of cycling, but one component that is often overlooked is the fit of the bike. This guide from Phil Burt illustrates with precision the anatomy, bike fit, and a checklist.

Proper fit/alignment is key to performance. Five pressure points exist, two hands, two feet and one bottom. Understanding anatomy, assists in proper placement and offers visual guides detail how a bike fit is done. Rationale is provided to why/how things are done in the world of cycling. For retention, working off/on the bike and case studies are highlighted.

"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach him to ride a bicycle and he will find that fishing is stupid and boring."
—Desmond Tutu "

Cycling is liberating and a low impact way to take off pounds in a reasonable amount of time. Understanding anatomy, aids in proper positioning, and offers visual guides (photos and graphics) detailing how a bike fit is done using the Greg Lemond method. Logical solutions are provided for proper use of energy and improper. For retention, Phil Burt's case studies stand out. Definite read for cyclists.

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Cuando uno cicla, aprendemos por ensayo y error. Algunas de las mejores lecciones son en tiempo real. Los atletas profesionales se deslizan e imaginan a su entrenador de ciclismo llamándolos para preguntarles qué comieron hoy. La nutrición es una parte muy importante de andar en bicicleta, pero un componente que a menudo se pasa por alto es el ajuste de la bicicleta. Esta guía de Phil Burt recorrerá la anatomía, el ajuste de la bicicleta y una lista de verificación.

"Dale un pescado a un hombre y dale de comer por un día. Enséñale a pescar y dale de comer durante toda la vida. Enséñale a montar en bicicleta y se dará cuenta de que pescar es estúpido y aburrido".
- Desmond Tutu "

El ajuste de la bicicleta es vital para el rendimiento. Comprender la anatomía, ayuda en la colocación adecuada y ofrece guías visuales (fotos y gráficos) que detallan cómo se ajusta una bicicleta. Se explica por qué y cómo se hacen las cosas en el mundo del ciclismo. Para la retención, el trabajo fuera de la bicicleta y los estudios de casos de Phil Burt se destacan. Este libro beneficiará al aficionado a los ciclistas profesionales.

[Lars · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very technical

This is definitely a good book about bike fit, especially the aspects related to physiotherapy, like some self-diagnosis related to injury. The part about bike-fitting is not a fool-proof manual, it is more about general guidelines and things to consider. If you are a triathlete and want to fit your own bike, check out The Misfits Guide to Basement Bike Fitting: Triathlon Edition for a more straightforward step-by-step guide.
The main downside is that this book gets very technical at times, making it not very accessible to non-professionals.

[Karen Shevchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any cyclist who's into perfecting their cycling technique. A deep introduction into the biomechanics of cycling and how bike fit affects performance. lots of illustration make reading and understanding the materials real easy though maintaining fair level of technical language. Added value is an overview of mistakes in bike fit and potential health issues they may cause - a sort of troubleshooting you mat run yourself through in case you experience any issues during your rides.

Definitely recommended for reading and as a go manual for bike fits and tweaks outside of the professional fitting process.

[Fayd Eaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

spunti interessanti ma nulla di definitivo. Alla fine serve uno specialista che ti metta in sella.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful overview of bike fit. This’ll be handy as a reference to keep on the shelf and is probably a must for any serious cyclist who’s looking to avoid injury by dialling in their position correctly.

[MeteoriteBacklands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would like more detail on fit issues and off bike work.

[Danilo Bernardineli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trata-se de um panorama geral para audiência ampla sobre a arte e ciência de ajustar a ergonomia na bicicleta. O livro é bastante ilustrado e recheado de histórias, e é um material introdutório para que a maior parte das pessoas tenha um conhecimento funcional dos ajustes e complexidades da área. Não é porém um "manual técnico", e não irá substituir o conhecimento detalhado de profissionais na área.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explains rather well why and how fit is a custom thing. Each individual's 'fit window' can be measured--in microns or centimeters according to one's adaptability. Use your adaptability to select your sizing of adjustable hardware.

A good part of my take-away from this book is the concluding chapter's list of nine measurements to record one's position: frame stack & reach; handlebar drop & reach; saddle height & setback & angle; and bottom bracket to handlebar.

Further reading list, by author name: Baker; Pruitt; Glaskin; and Hopker & Jobson.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My cycling is just for short trips and recreation so I skimmed in a couple of hours the stuff I thought could be good to know. Written in accessible language for a non-sporty person like me, lots of useful headings and diagrams to help find and understand the bits I was interested in. I've read several online articles about bike fitting and technique but there were still several worthwhile things I picked up from this read.

[Martin J. Hornung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

A no nonsense, straightforward and succinct why of everything regarding fit.

This tome is an indispensable resource that should be part of every cyclist's library.

An excellent fit reference with every parameter explained, illustrated, and the rationale delved to completion.

A great post ride flexibility & relaxation routine is included as well, invaluable for an avid velominati.