BIKE FIT – MAJOR CHANGES

It took awhile, but the bike shop  finally received all of the parts I ordered. I’m not 25 anymore and the bike got more and more uncomfortable as the years roll on. What prompted me to see Rick was that I heard he is a specialist in helping cyclists with chronic knee and hip pain. My case, more hip pain than knee pain. The bike came stock with 172.5mm cranks and after a sizing, Rick recommended 160mm. The stem was also an issue causing some lower and upper. The stock stem was 110mm -7deg. After sizing, Rick recommended 70mm +6deg. In this new position, all the stress on my upper back has gone away and the bike is MUCH more comfortable to ride. 

Rick asked me to ride around the block. Rick’s studio has 2 roads (hills) coming in. You can choose a 1/4 mile 14% grade hill or a 1/3 mile 10% grade hill. Rick had me go down the 14% and up the 10%. The thing that amazed me was that with the original setup, half-way up the 10% grade, while seated, I would have experienced such severe hip pain that I would have had to either stand up or get off and walk the bike. With that being said, I was waiting and waiting and waiting for the pain to start and it never did! I was shocked. I spun up the hill and never felt any pain. I can’t wait to go on my next group ride. 

So, please go and see Rick for your next bike fitting.