Joyride Bikes 

• ABOUT US
• PRODUCTS
• SERVICE
• TIPS & TECHNIQUES
  • Tips & Techniques
  • Links
• RIDE GUIDE
  • Ride Guide
  • Shop Calendar
• MEDIA
  • Video
  • Pictures (Comming Soon)
• CONTACT
• SALE

TIPS & TECHNIQUES

SOME TIPS TO GET YOUR RIDE ON

Size Matters

Bicycle Fitting. One of my favorite subjects. A topic that I have studied and enjoyed expending considerable effort and expense to develop proficiency in. Fitting once seemed simple with basic "guidelines" that were obscured in dark ways like secrets gained at great price.

Currently fitting has evolved to a level of complexity involving anatomy, physiology, physics, kinesiology and biomechanics as well as medical science and aerodynamics. Shops and training centers are offering fits from very basic with a few tools to amazing levels of sophistication involving 3-D motion capture analysis and near-real time physiological feedback.

So what makes the fit 'good'? With all of the numerous methodology available, I strongly think the quality of the fit comes down to the quality of the person fitting the bicycle. Where is that person's experience and expertise? It's hardly fair to expect an experienced bicycle mechanic to suddenly understand lever systems and joint moments. Likewise it is similarly unfair to expect a person that understands why sub-talar neutral must be established before making a determination of varus/vagus but without having an understanding of currently available bicycle componentry to be able to best obtain a desired outcome.

The current bike fit practitioner walks a fine line - part mechanic, part physician, part scientist and part psychologist. My take is that I must study and learn all I can. I must remain current on methodologies. Last year I attended the inaugural Cycling Science Symposium in Boulder, CO. There we enjoyed three days of listening to presentations from a veritable list of who's who in cycling analysis: Dr. Max Testa, Andy Pruitt, Todd Carver, Eric Heiden, Ray Browning and many others. Subjects discussed included determination of the performance potential of cyclists, aerodynamic evaluation methods and interpretation, medical issues related to cycling, lower leg gait, saddle design relating to power production, and technology utilized to capture and analyze changes in performance related to bike fit. A very enjoyable three days indeed.

I am not a physician. I cannot and will not make injury diagnosis. I am a bike fitter and understand the position most people should be in to allow them to perform in a neutral, injury-free way. I am a mechanic and understand how the bike works with the body. This is a significant advantage compared to those that lack experience in this aspect of bike fitting. I am a student of anatomy and science. I prefer to learn and tailor the bike fit to work for most of us - cycling enthusiasts. If you are a racer and have read that a metric used by the people at Wobblenaught is the only way to be, that's fine. I can accept that. If you have an injury, I may have ideas on what may be wrong but even better I know several physicians, PTs, and chiropractors who are much better qualified to help you.

A fit should be straight forward. A fit should not take 2-3 hours. If it does, it is likely a smoke-and-mirrors effort done for the benefit of easing that nagging doubt about the missing $250.00 in your pocket. I've seen bike shop owners perform horrible fits. I've seen medical professionals dispense advice that was essentially impossible to translate to a bicycle. I've also seen upwards of 300 people improve their riding comfort and performance after I've worked with them. I don't claim to be a magician regarding bike fit. It's not about me and I have no problem saying when I think I've hit the end of the figurative rope in the help I can offer. It's about you. It is about the bike. Making the bike fit you; so that you love to ride it is what I'm here for.

Time for a new bike?

So it's time to buy a bike! Congratulations on choosing to do so. The list of choices rounds out in an enormous array: tandem, road, sport touring, touring, mountain, freeride, downhill, hardtail, trail bike, race bike, all-mountain, hybrid, commuter, recumbent, BMX, freestyle, flatland, cyclocross, jumping, urban, enduro, and adult tricycles!

So where do you begin? The answers aren't that hard to find. First of all, bicycles fall into several major categories: road, mountain, juvenile and bikes for around town.

Types of Bikes

Road Bikes.

This machine is the most efficient machine to be created by the most gifted inventors in our history. The bike will have high-pressure tires suited to low rolling resistance on smooth roads. Gearing will vary from easy to very tall. The position the rider is in is typically more aggressive to better generate power and present a cleaner aerodynamic profile. From racing to fitness to recreation with friends, the perfect bike for smooth roads.

What to consider. Fit. That's our number one. The right bicycle is only the right bicycle for you if it fits you properly. We have spent countless hours and thousands of dollars on training and fitting tools to help you find the best possible fit on your new bike. Fit on a road/time trial bike is possibly more important than any other type of bike because your position is relatively fixed and static compared to a mountain bike where you move on the bike to adapt to the terrain. Think of getting into an unfamiliar car. If the seats weren't adjustable you would not be comfortable on a long trip. Or even a short trip. The first thing you do is move the seat forward/backward. Then you adjust the seatback. Then the headrest. Then you check the distance to controls and finally verify that you can use the mirrors effectively. We do all of this and more with your bike fit. We invite you to come find out why so many people have had their riding experience drastically improved by riding a bike that has been properly fitted. Most of the rest of the bike is just details.

Details. The frame counts the most. It's the basis for fit and comfort which are the basis for power. It will affect the ride or 'feel' of the bicycle more than any other single component of the bike. Next consider the fork. Then wheels/tires and finally components. Many people over emphasize components but for the most part modern components are of very high quality. Even so, they will still wear out and need maintenance. The frame you chose now will remain the major contributor to the quality and performance of your new bicycle.

Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes come in many varieties but are designed primarily to be rugged and durable, capable of extensive use on rough trails and adverse conditions. They offer secure traction in dirt and foul weather. For this reason they are popular as a 'do it all' bicycle. The modern mountain biker may find be wearing a full-face helmet for freeriding, to a lycra-clad team uniform for racing. Most mountain bikes are happily in the center offering a fun and comfortable ride.

Mountain bikes are typically front or front and rear suspension. A front suspension bike or 'hardtail' is very common and a great economical choice. A proper front-suspension (hardtail) bicycle can take riders from White Pine Lake to Moab. This bike is also very versatile as a bike to get around town.

A full-suspension bicycle will give better traction, comfort and performance in most off-road conditions. Modern designs are actually more efficient than a hardtail and suspend a rider from the terrain below.

Full suspension bikes are often classified by travel. Travel is measured as the distance the wheel axles will move from full extension to full compression of the shock and fork. Typically four inches is considered to be a good trail/race bike range of travel. Trail bikes are gravitating to upwards of six inches of travel with freeride and downhill bikes approaching 10" plus of travel.

What to consider. Take an honest assessment of what your riding will consist of. Not just now but what your aspirations are. You don't want to be replacing the bike in a year because your needs have outgrown your initial investment. What kind of trails will you ride? Who will you ride with? What your bike related goals? Are you generally an athletic or competitive person? What is your budget? Are there any special needs due to physical conditions? Do you need accessories: helmet, glasses, shoes, shorts and gloves?

Then get out and test ride bikes. We are happy to assist with any questions and test rides. Pay attention to the bicycle as a whole. Does it feel like it is balanced well? Are you comfortable on it? Rather than feel inundated with technical jargon, find a resource at your local bike shop that talks your talk. That is, talks with you. Not talks at you. Does not try to intimidate. A true bike shop professional will listen as much as talk and help guide you in finding the best bike for your needs.

Juvenile bikes

Juvenile bikes are what most of us started on and the current offerings are much better than what most of us rode. Certainly, getting someone started right will help encourage someone to enjoy the sport and make cycling a lifetime activity. If JR only weights #45 and you put him on a bike that weights #45, well that is almost cruel. No wonder some kids don't keep riding bikes! Quality kids bikes will shift/brake like adult bikes and be durable enough to hand down to siblings and neighbors. It's more of an investment but offers much more in return.

Town bikes

Town bikes are what we all need. From going to the post office to running errands, town bikes are quick and efficient. Carrying small loads is easily manageable and short trips are usually fast and fun vs. competing with the behemoth SUV for a parking spot. It's amazing how easy it is to cut 1000 miles off the odometer on the family car with swapping short trips with the bike instead of the car.

What to consider. A frame that is comfortable. A saddle that works for you. Gearing that is appropriate for your typical trips. Fenders and a rack. Lights for visibility. Go with a brand that focuses on this segment as they often pay attention to many of the details that make a commuter bike so much fun. A little hint: we like bike commuters. Even in the busiest summer months if a commuter needs his/her bicycle worked on, their bike somehow makes it to the front of the line.

More on Bicycle Fit

There are many fit methods currently used. These have evolved from the days when a 'fit expert' would multiply your inseam by a magic number divided by the date of the next full moon to determine your saddle height because that was the way some Italian racer did it.

Two popular methods for bicycle fit are used extensively. One is a numbers based system where measurements from simple to elaborate are programmed into a database. Everything from the distance of AC to AC to Olecranon to the styloid process is entered and computed by a table of averages that approximates the proper size/dimensions of your perfect bicycle. The other system is based primarily on subjective observation and relies on the fitters experience and biases to determine proper fit. At Joyride Bikes we combine elements of both to determine a proper fit. We consider structural anatomy. We also consider body type, athletic experience, injury, current fitness, goals, etc. We further consider soft tissue and flexibility regarding the overall fit of your bicycle. We look at functional anatomy and offer suggestions for improvement where available.

We also look long term. That is, we consider the possibility that the bike you are considering now may also need to fit in 10 years from now. We strive for a neutral position. Not a position that 'looks fast'. But rather a position that is powerful, efficient and sustainable-both now and over time.

Our credentials are diverse in that we have both bicycle and science background. Kory has spent extensive time with one of Serotta Cycling's top bicycle fitters. We continue to learn by attending cycling science seminars and remaining current on articles in the kinesiology, biomechanics and bicycle science journals. Recently I attended Serotta's Cycling Science Winter Symposium in Boulder, CO and benefited by attending lectures presenting materials on topics from aerodynamics and power, lower leg anatomy, saddle design and research, muscle recruitment in pedaling styles, etc. I was able to hear from numerous cycling experts including Andy Pruitt and Dr. Max Testa. This winter I will again attend the Serotta Seminar in Denver, CO to remain current on fit and performance issues. Our continuing efforts to remain educated and current on the direction of bicycle fit and performance is done for the purpose of benefiting our customers who trust us to maximize their enjoyment of cycling.