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The Bike Fit Academy
1.1k members • Free
3 contributions to The Bike Fit Academy
22d •
Saddle Fore - Aft Adjustments
For years, I've been using the KOPS method of making fore-aft saddle adjustments which has yielded good results. It seems now the current practice is stepping away from the KOPS method to practicing balance, stability and position like in Neil Stansbury or Steve Hogg balance test. So, the question I have is how you would determine which method is best for the recreational cyclist?
0 likes • 2d
@Ren Renner Just a quick comment in case anyone is interested - Cleat position has ZERO effect on a KOPS measurement - cleat position usually has an effect on knee comfort/dis-comfort but your KOPS only changes when you move the saddle fore/aft or change the crank length... AS @Jason Hurst put it "I'm glad KOPS works for you, but it's pure luck"... I use saddle fore/aft do obtain "balance" - cleat position to help my old knees - Bars / Stem length to obtain a comfortable reach... FOR ME.... I gave up on my folly of using saddle fore/aft to adjust my reach because all it ever did was upset my balance on the bike...
6d •
I'd like some feedback on my bike fit
I started cycling 2 years ago after having health and heart problems. I started with a hardtail MTB, and now I ride a road bike. I've gone from 101 kg to 83 kg, and the health problems have pretty much disappeared :) but I'm still struggling to get rid of the pain. I rode the 315 km Vätternrundan and experienced neck pain, numb hands, and soft tissue discomfort. This video was taken after the Vätternrundan, where I raised the saddle by 1 cm and moved it 1 cm further back. My measurements and bike setup: Height: 187 cm Saddle height: 785 mm 235 mm from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the saddle 110 mm stem 420 mm handlebars 165 mm crank arms Orbea Orca size 57 Do you see anything drastic that I should perhaps be thinking about? I've tried two rides since then, but I still get mild numbness in my hands and neck pain, although I suspect I haven't fully recovered from the 315 km ride yet :)
0 likes • 2d
My casual observation of your video makes me think that you're overall position looks decent but you appear to be a little "long" in your reach to the bars - If you have some riding buddies with a box of various sized stems ( like I do ) maybe borrow a 100 and a 90 and try them out and see it that helps... The longer reach could be the source of your neck and hand discomfort as you look to be cupping your shoulders to reach the bars... You moving your saddle back might have exacerbated the problem... Regardless - Experiment with different reaches or go get an in person fit... YMMV
2d •
What's more important, stack or reach?
Morning BFA hive mind... I'm in the process of thinking about buying a titanium frame to scratch an itch that I've had for years. The frame I'm considering is a Kinesis GTD v2. Now I currently ride a 56cm Trek Domane SL and AL which are exactly as they came out of the shop, save for saddle height (757mm), setback and bar rotation. I've looked at 54cm and 56cm in the GTDv2. The 54cm is 20mm shorter in stack and 12mm longer in reach. I'm using all the headset spacers on the Domane and a 100mm stem. That 12mm could be compensated for with a 90mm stem. The 56cm is only 6mm shorter in stack, but it's 19mm longer in reach, which if the bars I use are equal then it might be just a case of using an 80mm stem? I think the 56cm GTDv2 is going to be the right size, but I'd appreciate folks thoughts. https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=65eb79c5160457001baecfd7,61961a36a1db440020ec92ab&builds=6a2c0128224334001b538d1b
1 like • 2d
I can't make a direct comment about "what's more important" but my casual observation yields these comments... - 1st - How flexible are you ? It seems like you have a fairly short interface between your seat height and bar height or your Trek... With a 54cm GTDv2 you're gonna need the same amount of head spacers as the Trek PLUS 20mm more to achieve the same drop on the bars plus a shorter stem... - 2nd - How comfortable or "dialed in " do you feel on the Domane ? Going with the 54 you are going to be long and low in the front end - with the 56 you'll be about the same as the Trek but a tad longer which as you pointed out you can compensate with a shorter stem or ( my recommendation ) a shorter reach bar in a width that's better suited to your needs... It all comes down to how you feel about your current fit on the Domane - but it seems that you are already leaning towards the 56 which I agree with UNLESS you are a super flexible 20 something... YMMV
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Active 6h ago
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