Northern California - bike fit for someone with RSI
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My boyfriend is looking to buy an entry-level road bike, but we're worried about bike fit because he has RSI from too much keyboard work, and an old crew injury. He's 6', so will probably fit on a 58/59cm frame.
He's definitely going to get a pro fit done once he gets a bike, but does anyone have suggestions as to what he could do to help relieve/combat the wrist pain?
Any suggestions for good bike fitters? I live in SF, and he's down at Stanford, so any shop/fitter in those general areas (or in between) would work.
Thanks!
johnny99
03-30-09, 05:22 PM
If his hands/wrists are seriously damaged, perhaps a recumbent is a better idea than an upright bike.
I had a good experience doing a fitting at City Cycle in SF. There was a thread on here last week about fitting services at Stanford, too. He might want to talk to a couple of fitters before he buys the bike to get some assistance. There is also someone on this board who does fittings, so hopefully she will respond as well.
Longfemur
03-30-09, 07:46 PM
The best way is to buy the bike based on the fitting, rather than the other way around. And, the best way to do that is to go to a bike shop that does this, such as one that sells both stock road bikes and custom-made ones.
The critical thing for your boyfriend is going to be avoiding too much weight on the hands in the most normal riding position (which for most people would be with the hands on the brake hoods). For that, the bike's saddle may have to be a little further back than usual so more weight is on the saddle rather than the hands, and this may have to be combined with a bit higher handlebar than usual. That can be hard to do on a bike unless you make sure it can be done before you buy.
velogirls
03-30-09, 10:47 PM
Hey Roja, that would be me, and we've already connected via email. Thanks!
BTW, I will share that RSI is super-common in silicon valley and there are some simple adjustments that can be made to bar/hoods to create a more ergonomic, less stressful position. I prefer to fit someone with RSI on a drop bar, but I've also spent lots of time focusing on how to create an ergo position for a flat bar. None of this is rocket science, but most are concepts that a bike shop fitter won't even think about.
Lorri