Fitting your road bike (part 3) (also touring, hybrid, commuter, city) bike shop Ontario California

We have been posting a blog series on how to adjust for fit on various types of bikes. For part three of our series on road bike fit, we will talk about stem adjustments. 

Confused about bike parts and fit?
Come see the experts at Bumsteads bike shop in Ontario, CA

We are talking about road bikes in this series. We already covered selecting the right frame size, checking standover height, and adjusting the height and position of your seat. 

The length and angle of your bike's stem determine how far you will reach and bend your waist in order to reach the handlebars. If your stem is the wrong length or angle, you can either adjust or replace it. Some bikes' stems are adjustable, but more commonly, you will have to have a bike shop order a correctly fitting stem and install it for you.

When seated on your bike, have someone hold it upright while you check for stem fit. With your hands on the handlebars, your waist should be bent so that your back is at a 45 degree angle. Your neck should feel comfortable when you look forward. Your arms should be gently bent at the elbows to allow for maximum shock absorption, and you should be able to reach your brakes and gears easily.

These guidelines will help you determine the correct classic road bike fit. Many cyclists vary these adjustments for the style of riding they do, or personal preferences. 

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...

Fitting your road bike part 1 (also touring, hybrid, commuter, city) bike shop Ontario California

As part of our bike shop in Ontario, California's series of bicycle fit guides we've been posting on our blog, we bring you a series on fitting your road bike. Fit guidelines for touring bikes and hybrid, commuter and city bikes are likely to be similar to fit for a road bike. These are loose guidelines. Always make adjustments to fit based on your riding style, preferences, and comfort, if needed. Generally, the road bike guidelines are designed to make your ride more aerodynamic and fast. If you are uncomfortable with the road bike's fit, it is a good idea to come into a local retailer and get help making adjustments and modifications so your bike will work for you.

First, select a bike that fits you. This is done by checking standover height. A quality shop will have experts help you select the right bike, but you can also check standover height yourself. 

Stand straddling the top tube of the bike, in front of the seat. If the top tube goes straight across, you will want about 1" clearance between your crotch and the tube. If the top tube of your bike is sloped, your aim will be 2" of clearance. Wear your cycling shoes when you are checking fit, as they will affect your standover height. 

Check out our shop, including our road bike selection at www.bumsteadbikes.com and stay tuned for our next post describing adjustments to your road bike fit.