Time for the tweak

It's that time of year again. Time to get tweaked(bike fit that is.)

Things have slowed down a good bit. The holidays are in full swing. Some of you may have even been lucky enough to recieve bike related gifts. It's time to get things tuned.

If it's been over a year since your last bike fit, it's time to get re-checked for fit. Most riders have purchased something new for their bike within the last 12 months. New pedals, shoes, handlebars, shifters or saddles can all have an impact on fit. If you have changed any of these products, you need to get checked out before things start ramping up again.

Changes in body composition also have their impact on fit. If you have gained or lost more than 15 lbs. You need to have your fit checked as well. (Pardon my direct approach to this). Extra weight in the thighs and abdomen changes the way the cockpit is set up. If your thigh and abdomen are touching when you are in the drops, your handlebars need to come up, or you need to loose weight. Continuing to ride in this situation causes you to loose power because you are dampening force by moving your abdomen each time it the thigh comes over the top. Also, changes in weight impact how you sit on the saddle. The size and shape of your bottom drives where you sit. If you are sitting in a different place on the saddle, your power production has changed. This requires a new look at fit as well.

Other items mentioned at the top are important as well. If you purchased new shoes, the cleat position needs to be verified. New pedals present with the same issues. If you purchased a new bar or if you are using a different component group, handlebar placement and hood placement has to be reset based on the new design.

It's great to purchase new bike stuff, however, don't discount the fact that these items need to be set properly so that you get the most from your new gear and you avoid aggravation of new injuries.