In general, but unfortunately, this article may actually be right based on what many bike fits are and provide. So if it pisses off some folks maybe it should. However, a proper bike fit is so much more and beyond what is mentioned in this article. So let’s take a look at some of the comments. “A bike fit is extremely overrated for mountain biking.” That indeed is a very unfortunate thought and comment. In fact I would suggest the opposite of that is true. “First, bike fits usually just help you maximize your dysfunctions, which may result in a short term performance gain but does not really make you a better rider.” That is unfortunate if that is the case because the reality is a bike fit addresses much more like a person’s asymmetries. We are asymmetrical and the bike is not (for the most part …maybe one pedal is wider on the drive side….maybe). A bike fit should improve the connection and alignment for optimum function which is to help the cyclist provide optimum performance. “Second, I strongly believe that seated pedaling is simply bad for the body in the first place and should be minimized, not fortified.” Maybe on some bikes but it certainly can be the more efficient way in some situations. “Lastly, bike fits rarely take the technical skill side of trail riding into account.” Maybe he is right that “rarely” this is taken into account." However, a good bike fit should conduct a thorough interview and absolutely consider the cyclists skills. “If you are performing a bike fit on a rider who does not have a clean Functional Movement Screen (2s on everything with no asymmetries) then you are no better than the doctor who prescribes pills before trying to get the patient to make the lifestyle changes needed to fix the real problem. How can you “fit” anything when someone can’t even touch their toes or perform a half-ass bodyweight squat without falling apart?” First and foremost – “Asymmetry is a rule not the exception,” Richard Jackson PT. The bike may not have asymmetries but the human body is full of asymmetries. Many people ride a bike and if someone cannot touch their toes they may need more help but is it bad they ride a bike? In most cases I suggest it is not bad. But if the person wants to ride a bike it is the bike fitters job to help fit them the best they can based on what this person brings to the table. I have met plenty of cyclist s that cannot touch their toes and ride quite well and do so in comfort and enjoy it while cycling enhances their life in many ways. I would think cycling is still a good thing for most people even if they cannot touch their toes. “The only thing you are fitting is their dysfunctions to the bike. Allowing someone to lean even harder on bad movement so they can go further and faster is not really helping the situation. The fact that no one ever gets a fit that lasts forever should tell your something – since the fit did not fix the underlying problem of bad movement habits the body eventually develops pain in new areas. Fix the movement issue first and then see what needs to be done.” Great point in the no one gets a fits that lasts forever. That should seem obvious. Remember a good bike fit is a snap shot in time. It is how the person is and functions today. Once the person changes then so may the bike fit. Plenty of good bike fits evolve over a period of time. Not all happen once and done. “A bike fit only “works” as long as you are sitting down – as soon as you stand up all the precious measurements go out the window and you are no longer benefitting from your investment.” This is categorically untrue. In fact a good bike fit (which of course includes the foot/pedal interface as part of the fitting process) would facilitate and improve mechanics while standing….. “Standing up naturally takes care of any “fit” issues as it forces full knee extension, fuller hip extension, a straighter spine and less strain on the neck. Sitting down to pedal places your body in a jacked up position and a fit is simply trying to make the best of a bad situation.” WOW this one is off the charts. The feet are the most important connection to the bike and can have significant effects on the body up the chain. Standing up can actually exacerbate a fit issue not take care of fit issue. “On the trail, standing up more is the mark of a strong, confident rider and it also naturally takes care of “fit” issues.” Interesting in that I never viewed standing up and the mark of a strong and confident rider but maybe it is in the eyes of some. “Trail riding requires a large degree of technical skill, which is something that most bike fits don’t take into account. To maximize your trail riding you want to outfit your bike in a way that will allow for maximum skill and efficiency – which means prioritizing the bike, not the rider.” In general a bike fitter should do his best to make the bike fit the rider and his or her technical skills not the other way around. Of course a proper bike and equipment play into this but selecting that equipment is part of proper bike fit. “On the trail you need to select your tool based on its ability to do what you want on the trail and then fit your body to that tool. Don’t force an inferior tool on yourself when what you really need is some good ol’ mobility and strength work.” It should be obvious the tool or equipment be the proper tool or equipment but it needs to fit the cyclist not the other way around. There is more to review here but I need to try and wrap this up. First and foremost the foot/pedal is bar far the most important part of ALL bike fits. Not once did it mention the feet and their control of the bike. On a mtn bike or trail bike the feet help steer and control the bike. In fact I would say that is more important a factor here then on a road bike. Try something putting your road pedals on your trail bike and use your road shoes. Almost always you will immediately feel the improved control you have of your bike. Yes most clip-in pedal for mtn or trail are small and sloppy fitting. Perhaps this sloppy fit is even part of the issue. There is more to assess and adjust on one shoe then there is to assess and adjust a saddle. Add in both feet because they are often different then you have more adjustments necessary at the feet then the rest of bike. So if a significant part of your bike fit is not covering the feet you are not getting a real bike fit. You are getting a partial bike fit at best. One of the best mtn/trail bike fitter in the world is Dave Howells of www.bcbikefit.com. He has taken the process to another level making sure the fit, the equipment and skill are addressed in a bike fit. For other foot/pedal info this articel may be of interest http://www.bikefit.com/s-13-road-bikes.aspx#Feet Based on the experience of the person who wrote this article it may be true from that perspective. I hope one day he is able to experience a good and proper bike fit which does a good job of addressing the feet. Our experience tells us his perspective will change.
