When
sizing for proper position, don't worry about frame or stem
dimensions. That comes next ... The way you feel on the bike
is infinitely more important than the way the bike looks. Which
is another way of saying that if you already own the bike you
plan on keeping for a while, don't worry if your stem looks
too short, or too high, or if your seat is pushed way forward,
etc... the most important thing is that you will be more efficient
and have more enjoyment when your biomechanic position is correct.
1.
Ankling. There has been significant debate about the correct
angle of the foot as it moves about the pedal stroke. Toe down,
heel down or foot flat ... there have been highly successful
professional espousing each extreme and everything in between.
We are convinced that the angle of your foot is like your gait
when you walk. It belongs to you, and is something that develops
naturally. Don't worry about copying someone else.
2. Where to drop the plum line from your knee. There
are two points used to drop the line. The base of the tibia
tuberosity (where the protrusion below your kneecap disappears
into your shin bone) is the more commonly used location. When
possible we prefer to find the soft hollow just behind the kneecap
(on the outside of the leg). This is more of an indicator of
the true function of the knee joint.
3. Back posture is a problem for many people, cyclists
and non-cyclists alike. Cyclists sometimes have poor back posture
(on the bike) because they have been riding poor fitting bicycles
for too long. Or sometimes they adopt poor posture on the bike
because they already have poor posture, perhaps from sitting
bent over at a desk all day, or just because they never paid
attention. Ideally your back posture should be almost straight
... when standing your lower back should be slightly concave
in the lumbar area. If you have difficulty straightening your
back, do not force a major change suddenly, as you may cause
as much damage and pain as you may avoid. This is because your
muscles have developed in support of this position and are not
accustomed to being elongated.
The best cure for this is stretching
... improving your flexibility. If you have a real problem,
yoga can work wonders. If you are buying a new bike, and you
feel you need to correct your back posture, buy the frame to
fit optimally with your elongated position, but outfit initially
with a shorter stem and then as you gain flexibility, change
to a longer stem.
A
Serotta Size-Cycle and appropriately trained technician is available
in the form of James Huggins, of Rock 'n' Road Cycles. If you
like what you hear in this section please drop
us and e-mail with your details and we will be happy to
pass them on to James. James also imports the complete range
of Serotta bikes from the USA so again if you are interested
in further details drop
us a note and we'll do the necessary.
