Fitting your road bike (part 2) (also touring, hybrid, commuter, city) bike shop Ontario California

This is part of a series from our Ontario bike shop (near Chino Hills) about acheiving proper fit on your road bike.
Selecting the correct frame size is step number one. Our employees are experts in bicycle fit and are happy to assist you with this. Here is a handy sizing guide on About.com: http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/a/bike_sizing.htm

Once you have selected a good sized bike for yourself, it is time to make adjustments for perfect comfort and performance. When you buy a bike from a quality local retailer, you can expect a professional adjustment. If you are adjusting yourself, here are some tips:

In our last post we discussed selecting for proper standover height. The next thing you want to check is the saddle height and position. Have someone hold your bike steady while you sit on the seat, with your feet on the pedals.
Saddle height: When you are seated on your bike, you want your leg to be almost fully extended at the bottom of your pedal stroke, but not fully extended. If your knees are bent, you should raise your saddle. If you are hyperextending, bring the saddle down a notch. Many bikes have a quick-release lever, making this adjustment quick. For other bikes, you may need a wrench, or you can bring it into a shop for help.
Saddle position: Generally, you want your knee to align directly over the ball of your foot, with your seat parallel to the ground, and your shin angle slightly frontwards.

If you need help with fit, come into our shop. Stay tuned for our next post about stem adjustment on your road bike...