I know y'all love these, is my fit ok?
#1
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I know y'all love these, is my fit ok?
Woohoo first post...
I got this bike (a cannondale r300) about a month and a half ago, I didn't get fit for it, I know I should have, but I just wanted to post some pictures to see if there was anything I needed to change.
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yeah I know I'm hunched whenever I bend over
Zach
I got this bike (a cannondale r300) about a month and a half ago, I didn't get fit for it, I know I should have, but I just wanted to post some pictures to see if there was anything I needed to change.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
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yeah I know I'm hunched whenever I bend over
Zach
#2
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It looks good. How does it feel?
What size is the frame?
Dante
What size is the frame?
Dante
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#3
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It feels good, everyonce in a while I feel a little pain in my lower back after a while on the bike, but I figure that might just be normal. It's a 56cm, I'm 5'9"
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Looks like a nice fit to me. The pain may be a little conditioning deal. I think your position on the hoods is ideal. Nice bike too!
#5
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hard to judge, but stem seems short (assuming saddle fore/aft is correct). Shouldn't arm/torso angle be closer to 90 degrees in the drops?
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The pain in your back could be a couple of things...
If you are new to cycling, most likely it is core strength or flexibility. The pain will go away as you ride more and develop your muscles. Do exercises that strengthen your torso and stretching to increase flexibility and prevent injury.
Do this for a month and see how you feel. If the pain is still present or you experience discomfort in other areas like the hands, neck or groin; you'll need to look into your fit.
Check this out: https://sheldonbrown.com/pain.html
I hope this helps.
Dante
If you are new to cycling, most likely it is core strength or flexibility. The pain will go away as you ride more and develop your muscles. Do exercises that strengthen your torso and stretching to increase flexibility and prevent injury.
Do this for a month and see how you feel. If the pain is still present or you experience discomfort in other areas like the hands, neck or groin; you'll need to look into your fit.
Check this out: https://sheldonbrown.com/pain.html
I hope this helps.
Dante
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You look to be will located at KOPS (knee over pedal spindle) and you appear to have the right saddle height. You could possible use a longer stem however I would get more miles under you belt and develop your fitness first. Your preferred position will change as you get fitter.
Regards, Anthony
Regards, Anthony
#9
Unique Vintage Steel
As said above, position looks good. I've been meaning to get some side on shots of myself on my new road bike to check my fit but haven't yet. That said: good looking old truck (fender) in the shot. I want to say its a Ford, but not old enough to remember when those were new.
#10
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Good eye, yeah it's a '66 Ford F100. My dad got it last year, it gets driven plenty but he still kind of baby's it.
#11
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Fit looks good to me, but its worth considering the comments on the stem length. One thing I will say is that you've submitted about the best set of "how's my fit" pictures that I've seen in a long time. Good job on the photos! Hope the back pain subsides and that you enjoy your riding.
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#12
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+1 on giving your position time to evolve. I started out with a 10cm stem on my Trek 1500, wasn't comfortable, pulled it back to 8cm, then over a couple of thousand miles it migrated back out to 11cm.
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#13
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Changing your stem length can make a huge difference in your comfort. That said, you probably should just leave things alone until you get more miles on the bike. The fit looks good.
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Thanks, yeah the pain, really only discomfort, isn't enough to want to change anything right now. And I figured my position would change and probably get more comfortable over time, I just wanted to get a basis right now. This forum is great, I've never seen so many posts in so short an amount of time than here
#15
Aluminium Crusader :-)
Originally Posted by SpongeDad
hard to judge, but stem seems short (assuming saddle fore/aft is correct). Shouldn't arm/torso angle be closer to 90 degrees in the drops?
Perhaps you could eventually try a longer stem
Last edited by 531Aussie; 12-26-05 at 10:50 PM.
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I'm not going to pretend to know more then anyone else on here but you really look scrunched up on that size frame. It might be OK as a starter bike to get your body use to a road bike's feel but as for power transfer I'd add at least a couple if not more cm's to the top tube for a better fit.
#17
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Saddle looks good, stem looks short, you will need to ease into the transition if you choose to make it. A good stretching routine will help.
Your lower back pain may also be from pusing too big a gear without enough saddle time.
An old guideline for stem length was the ability of your bars to block the view of your front hub when riding in the drops, by that guide, your stem is too short. But not everyone fits that mold.
In the last photo you are sitting upright like on a highwheeler.
Remember, what is comfortable, especially in your case, may not be aerodynamic. But it all depends on what your cycling goals are. If you want to race, you would benefit from stretching out and getting your torso lower.
Anthony G is correct, in saying that your preffered position will change as you get fitter. Right now youre catching a lot of wind in the chest.
Your lower back pain may also be from pusing too big a gear without enough saddle time.
An old guideline for stem length was the ability of your bars to block the view of your front hub when riding in the drops, by that guide, your stem is too short. But not everyone fits that mold.
In the last photo you are sitting upright like on a highwheeler.
Remember, what is comfortable, especially in your case, may not be aerodynamic. But it all depends on what your cycling goals are. If you want to race, you would benefit from stretching out and getting your torso lower.
Anthony G is correct, in saying that your preffered position will change as you get fitter. Right now youre catching a lot of wind in the chest.
#18
Aluminium Crusader :-)
here's a good looking pozzy, but I don't think my back could take it for more than 30 miles
#20
Senior Member
You look fine, don't worry about it too much. Get more miles in, the aches will go away. Pain on the other hand, should be avoided. Stretching before & afterwards will help. Stomach and back strength exercises will help as well. Give yourself at least 2-3 months at your current position before making any changes, and even then, only incrementally. It'll take 1-4 years to get the strength and flexibility to get into a position like those guys pictured above. And most importantly, have fun!
#21
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Originally Posted by 531Aussie
here's a good looking pozzy, but I don't think my back could take it for more than 30 miles
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Looks like you are rocking a bit to me, but I don't know if that is because you're posing for pictures or if the saddle should be lowered slightly.
#24
Made in Norway
Originally Posted by doctorSpoc
frame is fine the stem should be about 3 times as long... you are not a tiny bit scrunched you are WAY!!! too scrunched.
I'd say frame's on the small side as well, but you could probably live with a longer stem
#25
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You don't need to be as stretched out as the pros, but about the most elbow/knee overlap you should have is about 2cm and you have way more than that. You could correct that with a longer stem as it does look like you have a seriously short stem on the bike.
Rocking is where your hips rock as you pedal, and that's bad. If your seat height is correct your hips and upper body should be still as you pedal.
I'd suggest you go to a bike shop for a fit session and get the bike adjusted correctly for your body.
Rocking is where your hips rock as you pedal, and that's bad. If your seat height is correct your hips and upper body should be still as you pedal.
I'd suggest you go to a bike shop for a fit session and get the bike adjusted correctly for your body.