Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists

by Andrew L. Pruitt, Fred Matheny, Chris Carmichael (Foreword by)

Andy Pruitt's expertise in preventing and treating cycling injuries is renowned throughout the sport's professional ranks. In his Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists, Andy makes his years of experience available to all cyclists. He describes the sport's most common ailments, identifying the symptoms and causes as well as treatments that keep athletes on the road. Written in an accessible, straightforward manner, the book tackles everything from personal training programs to biomechanics, from aging to riding through illness. Finally, riders learn how to make important adjustments to bike fit, leading to increased comfort, power, and efficiency.

Genres: Cycling, Sports, Reference, Fitness, Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2001

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it really has a lot of information about bike fit, injuries, recovery, training and adjustments.

After finishing it I had to downgrade some of my previous reviews of other cycling books from 5 stars to 4 as they they really don't compare to this one.

The one problem that I had with this book that really bugged me while reading was that Andy Pruitt is obviously heavily involved Research and Development of the Specialized Body Geometry system. This is great for him, but his biased towards them really shows through in the recommendations throughout the book. There are many manufacturers that make the products that he references, but he ONLY mentions the specialized products which takes away from the impartiality of his position as the Director of the Boulder Center of Sports Medicine.

That being said, this is still one of my favourite books that I have on cycling. It is probably the best one I have read about bike fit & biomechanics.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book on cycling and bike fitting techniques that I've read so far in my career. I've long respected Dr. Pruitt, and the information he shares in this book is practical and excellent. I loved this book so much that I ordered a second copy so I can keep one in my home office and one in my bike fit studio at Mello Velo.

Some of the information in the book was information that I was already familiar with, but framed in a really nice way that gave me some good insights about how I could communicate that same information to my coached athletes and bike fitting clients.

Since this edition was published in 2006, some of the information is outdated, but a majority of the information Dr. Pruitt shares in the book is evergreen. As much as people like to think that things change radically in sport, the fundamentals honestly don't change that much. And if they do change, they take a long time to.

Overall, I really, thoroughly enjoyed this and am very glad that I read it.

[MeteoriteBacklands · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be good and intro book. Not a lot of new information or insight on how to setup bike yourself based on dynamic measurements. Used old static measurement methods. Reference section on injuries might be useful.

[André · Rating 3 out of 5]

2006-Buch:
~140 Seiten Körperteilbeschwerden u.a. durch schlechtes Bikefitting
~40 Seiten zum guten Fitting, 2024 wahrscheinlich kein wirkliches Must-Read mehr. Pruitt galt/gilt wohl als Fitting-Guru und hat bei Specialized mitentwickelt. Trotz des Alters und mittlerweile zahlreicher YouTube-Videos bleibt es informativ imho.

Vieles zum Sattel geschrieben außer zu dessen Breite, d.h. die Messung des Sitzknochenabstands fehlt. SQlab z.B. versendet Wellpappe für Knochenabdrücke kostenfrei mit ihrem Werbematerial, falls man nichts zuhause hat.

Fotos/Videos von der eigenen Sitzposition lassen sich heute leichter aufnehmen und am Computer kontrollieren; sogar Smartphone-Bikefitting-Apps werten schon Videoaufnahmen aus, aber k. A., was die taugen.

Fragwürdige Kapitel zu Vitamin-Supplements als "Versicherung" und Anti-Aging, in dem Kollege Michael Zeligs Produkte anpreisen durfte. Pruitts Buch behandelt immer mal wieder Radler mittleren Alters und über 50 bzw. natürl. Leistungsschwund.

Pragmatisches Stretching-Kapitel, als Stretchingmuffel leicht und schnell nachzumachen.

Behandlungsmöglichkeiten, neben Justierungen am Fahrrad, sind wenig überraschend, was auch eine Information ist: Fiebersenker/Entzündungshemmer (NSAID), Kühlen, Pausieren, Fixieren. Paar Infos für besseren Schutz z.B. Hemd unterm Trikot als Reibfläche beim Roadrash, wann Wunden nähen lassen etc.

3.5 Sterne; preisl. second hand paar wenige Euro

[Jim Loveless · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great guide to getting yourself in shape in the wonderful world of bicycling. It is my go to book for keeping myself fit on my bike and I keep it in my saddle bag for quick reference. I highly recommend it to all cyclists.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is good for prevention and diagnosis for cyclists. Highly recommend.