Cycling
Stay injury-free on a bike that fits!
So you want to start cycling? Well, the first thing you need to do, if you have not done so already, is buy a bicycle. Simple, right? Guess again!
Purchasing a road bike can be quite overwhelming for someone just getting into the sport. There are so many things you need to consider so you don’t end up injuring yourself and cutting your biking pursuits short before you even start.
Buying a bike that fits you properly is extremely important for the following reasons:
- Performance. Firstly, riding a bike that doesn’t fit your body properly will take away from your overall performance. You won’t be in the position to make the most of your optimal power output, and you won’t feel steady on the bike, leaving you open to falls.
- Aches and pains. An improper fit could cause pain in your knees, back, neck and shoulders, and repetitive stress on your muscles and joints can cause various aches and pains, making biking downright unpleasant.
- Injury. Putting in a ton of hours on an ill-fitting bike could lead to a variety of repetitive stress injuries, including those to the back and knees. An effort should definitely be made to avoid this, as any sort of injury would hinder your training and your season.
Bicycle Shopping Tips
When you visit a bike store, you should have a price range in mind. You can do this by performing a bit of online research first. Decide on the features you want (keeping their prices in mind) and then decide on a price range you can afford before actually talking to a salesperson.
You should also be prepared to talk about the size of the bike frame. This should be discussed with the people at the bike store, who will likely have some sort of chart they can use to match your height and inseam to the size of the frame. You might have to try out a couple of different sizes to find the right fit. Finding the proper frame is extremely important, as it is the main determinant in your safety, comfort and stability on the bike.
The next step is getting the bike fitted to you. Don’t take your bike home until the salesperson has observed you on it and fitted it for you properly. This is quite an intricate process and should be done by a professional. Once the bike is fit, and before you make your final purchase, make sure you get a chance to try it outside on the road to make your final assessment. If the bike shop won’t let you take it out for a spin – go elsewhere!
Now your purchase is complete – congratulations! Get out on the bike and have some fun! It would be advisable to take the bike back into the shop after a few rides, just to do some likely required minor adjustments; these adjustments might not have been apparent during the initial fitting.
