bike fit

[chrisx]

who knows what about about bike fit.  I'm more interested in finding a comfortable fit than a speedy one.  I've been trying diffrent stems all week and still haven't got it right. hard question what makes a bike comfortable for 12 hours a day?   

[Singlespeedpunk]

Trial and error mostly but making small changes, one at a time and giving it a few good rides is the key.

Its more of an evolution than a eureka moment 

SSP

[boddunn]

You could always go for a proper bike fitting session; it'll save you a fortune in stems etc. and at least you'll know exactly what your best position is for almost the rest of your cycling life.
 I thought I'd have to give up riding until I got some shorter axles for my pedals.

[jeffkerkove]

I pay for a bike fit each year.  The fit results in comfort and power to the pedals.

Lots of fits out there, I choose Wobble-Naught: http://www.wobblenaught.com/

Here is a quick video of the fit.  Prior to everything you see in the video, bone measurements and flexibility is taken to produce the numbers which then result in the stem length, seat height, seat angle, etc.

Wobble-Naught Bike Fit

[DaveH]

who knows what about about bike fit.  I'm more interested in finding a comfortable fit than a speedy one.  I've been trying diffrent stems all week and still haven't got it right. hard question what makes a bike comfortable for 12 hours a day?   

Compared to XC setup, for most riders a comfy enduro setup tends towards being more upright (risers and/or taller stem), shorter reach, saddle setback is farther rearwards, and cleats are farther back in the shoe. 

None of that is universal, just the general trend...Ergon grips are key as well, they are getting ubiquitous on the enduro machine!

[Singlespeedpunk]

I have always been wary of the "plug in the numbers = perfect fit" systems for bike fitting as while they can resolve things such as differing leg length they fail to take into a whole lot of other factors that are not measerable with a tape.

I have had several customers come to me after such fittings with some weird and wonderful positions that were totally unsitable and damn uncomfortable* I think they may have more relevance for road cycling where the rider is pretty static (more or less) on the bike and stays like that for hours. MTBing is a much more dynamic type of riding and involves more weight shifts and feedback from the trail surface (vibration, impacts etc)

So it may well help get a good fit but I am yet to see a bike fit system that is perfect for all riders and styles of riding.

YMMV

SSP
(ex-bike fitter and designer, now computer geek who models stuff like this for fun!...just to qualify the comments)

*this was only 3 UK riders over 2 years so not a massive statistical sample.

[AZTtripper]

..Ergon grips are key as well, they are getting ubiquitous on the enduro machine!

And everyday riders as well in the past two to three years I went from being the only one with them to seeing them everywhere.

You could always go for a proper bike fitting session; it'll save you a fortune in stems etc. and at least you'll know exactly what your best position is for almost the rest of your cycling life.
 I thought I'd have to give up riding until I got some shorter axles for my pedals.

One of the best shops here in Tucson always has a set of loaner stems on hand so you can test ride them for length. As long as you buy one there in the end I should think other shops would do this it's at least worth asking around.

[dgaddis1]

I recently had a Specialized BG FIT done, and I've been very happy with the results.  I bought a new pair of shoes (Specialized BG Comp) at the same time.

We moved my cleats back, moved the saddle up about 1cm and back a lot, I actually had to get a setback post because the straight post wouldn't allow the seat to go back far enough.  We left my bars alone.

Before the fit, my knees would pivot in on the downstroke.  It never hurt or bothered me though, but I had noticed it.  Now, my knees track straight up and down, with no side to side movement.  I'd attribute that fix mostly to the shoes, and the 'varus' (or whatever it's called) they have built in.  Also, since my cleat is further back on the shoe, I rely less on my calf for power/ankle support.

The result of all this is WAY more power, and I feel much more solid and stable on the bike.  I find myself getting up hills with less effort than before, and out of the saddle hammering I can really feel the extra power (I can feel some frame flex I never noticed before).

I'm in very much a head down a$$ up position, but it's comfy.  My fitter told me my bars were about as low as my flexibility would allow, and I may end up wanting to move them up a touch.  I did feel a little too stretched out at first, but after a few rides I got use to it.  Now, if I was going on a multiday ride...I might move them up a little.

Looking to do a 5ish hour ride tomorrow, which will be my first ride over 3hrs since getting the fitting.

[chrisx]

 I thought I'd have to give up riding until I got some shorter axles for my pedals.

I've been wondering for a year if it was a mistake to put all 3 spacers that came with the xt cranks on the Fargo.  For a long time I had an old Specialized 135mm ti stem and flat bars.  I kept moving the seat forward and up until my knees hurt. 
now I've got a collection of old stems of various sizes, and searching for the correct one.  Also I put the black Terry seat from my old ugly comfortable bike, (to bad the frame broke),  on because the Selle anatomica seat seams deceptive in measuring.
Anyone else find the leather on their Selle stretched after just one year?
funny how an old bike can be more comfortable than a shinny new one.  I've always wondered about the front hub the old bike came with,  it has a etched in 3mm picture of a bicycle and no words on it.  It spins better than the new xtr hubs.  Spins so well the hub maker in Portland took the axle out so he could see what it's made of. No name brand?

[patrickTsai]

if you can't find a comfortable fit, i suggesting getting a professional one done.

i had my first bike fit this year. it helped dramatically. in addition to the adjustments to my bike, my fitting consisted of riding a computrainer to find my optimal pedaling technique, and like jeff's fitting a skeletal examination and test of how my bones align. in my case my left IT band was pulling my left knee out of alignment. I was given a massage to remedy the problem. it was a complete fitting and a great experience.

http://www.thefixstudio.com

i haven't made an adjustment since the fitting.