How does my fit look?
 

I'm experiencing some sharp pain from my inner thighs (even after stretching). I have had two fittings over the last eight months and neither have allowed me to ride pain free. The last fitting took care of the knee pain I was having (seat too high). I've tried making very small adjustments over time (one or two adjustments per month) without success.

I have a mild case of scoliosis as you can see in the head on shot (shoulders are lopsided). The guy at the last fitting said I may never be comfortable on a bike due to my hips being out of alignment. I love to ride and at this point I'm just riding through the pain. Anyone have experience with scoliosis or are there any major issues you can see with my fit? I'm getting a bit desperate...any ideas are appreciated.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...0008b40004.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...0008b10001.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...0008b90009.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...0008b70007.jpg
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I just skimmed Andy Pruitt's Medical Guide for Cyclists and didn't even see thigh pain as a listed symptom. Your photos don't depict your saddle tilt or pedal and cleat position. Maybe try some small adjustments in those areas.

When I had the fitting he leveled the seat and adjusted my cleats so they should be in a decent position. I haven't tried adjusting either of these so I'll start there.

Do you think my leg extension looks close to where it should be?

Seat looks a little low to me, try jackin' her up about 1/4" to 1/2".

Actually, I read somewhere, jack it up until it becomes uncomfortable then lower it just slightly, just a thought, don't remember where I read it though.

Comparing to my leg extension (your preference could be different), it looks like your seat should be a tad higher.

Here's a reference:

http://www.thebikestand.com/bike-fit-straight.jpg

I learned this 27 years ago and it still holds true for me; with the pedal down and in line with the seat tube, the heel of your foot without shoes should just reach the pedal with your leg straight. Or 110% of your inseam from the top of the pedal to the top of the saddle. Both are similar.

Also, I always have the knee directly over the pedal. Yours looks an inch back. I would experiment moving it forward.

My 2 cents.

Sheldon Brown recommends this approach. He said to raise the saddle until your hip starts to rock sideways, then lower seat to point where rocking disappears.

His saddle appears low to me.

Regards,

Inner thighs is simply signs of pushing too tall a gear...click up a ratio and quit straining. Your fit looks fine save the stem needs to go out another 2-3cm. Lower body-wise it, it's fine.

It looks like his knee cap is directly over the spindle of the pedal when it's in the 3 o'clock position. I think he should be good to go. Plus, this can vary slightly to fit his comfort.

it would help to see your actual riding position. are you really that upright when you ride, and are your arms really that straight when you ride?

get in a more aerodynamic position, and bend your elbows like you would if you were riding, and check the overlap (or lack there of) between your elbow and knee...

The entire frame looks too small.

I concur with the others who've said your seat is too low- it looks to me like you have a bit to much bend in the knee at your downstroke.

I had the same impression as well... but if it's comfortable, stick with it!

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I do ride with more of a bend in the elbows than the photos indicate.
I've raised the seat up 1/4" and at this height my knee has a very slight bent with the heel on the pedal. I'll try this position for a few weeks along with pedaling at a higher cadence and see if this helps. If so, I'll be a little pissed because I paid $150 for a fitting! If not, I'll raise the seat a bit more until the leg is completely straight.

My cadence is generally around 85-95 but I have noticed the pain increase as I go up in gears (pedaling at the same cadence).

One thing I forgot to mention is that as soon as I come out of the saddle the inner thigh pain immediately goes away. The pain is also reduced somewhat when using the tops.

Is that a computer magnet on the rear wheel?

There appears to be a large white disk where your head is supposed to be. I'd be much more concerned about that. But it does appear to be relatively aero.

I don't have any specific advice here. I too have mild scoliosis. So mild I haven't thought about it in years. How new into cycling are you? If it has only been the 8 months that you've been trying for a proper fit on that Lemond, then you are just getting started. When I returned to riding after a protracted break, it took me awhile and riding through some pain to work out fit issues and get really comfortable again.

Keep tweaking. Do not get discouraged. A little curvature of the spine is what you've made adjustments for all your life. The same will be the case for riding.

I've used the lemond formula and for me it works very well

inseam x .883 = distance from bottom bracket to top of the saddle

I tend to favor a higher saddle than most, maybe like these guys?

http://www.hinduonnet.com/tss/tss283...s/ss283209.jpg http://content.answers.com/main/cont...nover_2005.jpg

I go for a 3-4cm forward knee at the bottom of the stroke.

I'm beginning to believe that once you're in the ballpark, fit-wise, that just riding a lot helps your body adapt to the bike position. As long as you're not straining (mashing, or grinding along at low RPMs in high gear), you'll get used to it. Riding 400-500 miles with a new change in fit seems to be required to really test it out. Most discomfort seems to go away in that time, for me at least.

Of course, YMMV, and if your pain gets worse see a better fit specialist and/or a sports medicine doctor, etc...

With hips out of alignment, try a chiropractor, or maybe a shim under your cleat to compensate. I've found with adjustments, that sometimes if you're constantly moving things around, you're never adjusting to the last adjustment. Try riding a bit longer when you get to an adjustment that is close to correct based on fit calculators and see if your body adjusts. At first glance, I'd say your seat looks just a little low. Thigh pain I guess could be cleat positioning so check that out. I do know that constantly making adjustments, and never feeling quite comfy is frustrating..but letting your body adjust to changes can help allot. I'm no expert, but hope this helps!

Hang in there!

Raise saddle a touch and a longer stem.

I don't know about your fit, but your head looks REALLY off to me.

... Brad

+5 raise that seat.

Is that a short stem?

I think the frame looks a little too small.