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THE SCIENCE OF CYCLEFIT
Cycle-Fitting is the meticulous understanding of the intricate human interaction with a bicycle, with the specific aim of gaining efficiency, power and comfort for every rider. Because we are concerned with optimising human movement that is being applied to complex machinery, cycle-fitting readily draws upon from the disciplines of ergonomics, bio-mechanics and kinesiology. In the pursuit for performance and the competitive edge CycleFit will always place science, knowledge and discipline above notions of faith and tradition. This rigorous approach has made us largely exceptional in the European and UK Cycle Industry and an acknowledged world authority in the field of building optimum bike-to-human relationships.  WHY IS CYCLE-FITTING NECESSARY Cycle Fitting 101 –‘ In our experience setting your bike position using trial and error results in more of both.’ The very same human characteristic of ‘adaptiveness’ (the way a body reacts and changes as a result of cyclical stresses and pressures) that underpins training can also result in our body doing its best to ‘accommodate’ us in an extremely poor position. In fact our bodies would serve us rather better if they were not quite so ‘adaptive’ and alerted us to a poor set-up prior to riding thousands of miles inefficiently. Many people spend many years unwittingly riding in a poor position, possibly absorbing the low-level pain or discomfort as part of the general experience of cycling. Problems commonly associated with a poor position are listed below:  1. Power leakage 2. Biomechanical inefficiency 3. Discomfort 4. Injury 5. Chronic over-use injury caused over a long period of time THE FIT STUDIO AND EQUIPMENT The CycleFit appointment is conducted on a one to one basis by Julian or Phil who are both SICI and Trek Fit Services Instructors. Your Cyclefit Technician will use Silicon Coach software for 3D motion capture and freeze-frame video analysis to deconstruct your riding position and pedalling technique. Using Computrainer's Spinscan Technology will help you and your Technician assess and improve your pedalling dynamics using footbeds, BFS Wedges correct posture, position and technique. The Equipment: Serotta Sizecycle Computrainer Silicon Coach Video Software Racermate Varicrank No Retul? Retul will always dismiss the use of standard fitting tools as inaccurate however there are a few facts that Retul does does not include: The Retul sensors are fitted on the shorts and skin at the bottom of the pedal stroke, at the top of the stroke the sensor is in a different position as the lycra and skin moves over the reference points. The Retul system can only take a snapshot of a few seconds of a rider's pedal stroke otherwise it takes in too much data and cannot 'average out' the measurements. The sensor on the 'meat of the shoulder' (where is that exactly?) is fixed to the jersey. A rider will dismount from their bike several times during a fit and the jersey will move on the rider. The information gathered during any fit is of no use unless the fitter knows how to implement changes for the best results. At Cyclefit - unlike any other bike fitting companies in the UK - we focus on making a rider's pedalling more symmetrical on the bike. A lot of riders have pelvic assymmetries and by adjusting cleat position and using shims we can even out leg extension between right and left leg. To do this we may need to measure each leg twenty to thirty times in an appointment. A Retul fitter will spend more time wiring you up than measuring you. Retul cannot look at the movement of your pelvis as you pedal and check assymetries fore and aft and left to right. It can't tell if you have less movement on the right or left side and it does not know what to do if you your left femur is externally rotated dues to less inward roataion in the hip . Foot stability is integral to a bike fit if this is not addressed during a fitting you are only receiving half a bike fit. At Cyclefit we use our eyes, our ears (we listen to you (and the pedal stroke)) our experience and our brains. Technology is not always the answer. Cyclefit Technicians Cyclefit Prices THE CYCLEFIT SESSION A CycleFit session takes about two hours and is a very personal and considered appraisal of an individual’s cycling physiology, technique and alignment. Everything about you as an individual is evaluated and perfected Injury/Pain concerns We will be looking for underlying cause from your bike-position, set-up and history – we are not physios or osteos but will refer you recommended colleagues wherever necessary and mutually agreed Asymmetry Cycling equipment is generally symmetrical and fixed – it is therefore the body that inevitably has to yield and change in respond in the interface process. Asymmetry in our own bodies exacerbates this process. A CycleFit will take account of asymmetry and wherever possible recommend a professional Ranges of motion particularly around hip/pelvis area and hamstrings – will affect fluidity of pedalling motion, posture and muscle-recruitment patterns Posture can affect muscle recruitment, comfort and efficiency (see core condition)Core-condition can affect ability to hold good cycling posture, power transmission and stability of the pelvis as well as protecting the lower back from pain and injury. Muscle-recruitment Using spin-scan analysis we can build a picture of which muscles are being utilised in different sectors of the pedal-stroke Cleat position/foot/arch-shapeThe most vital interface for power and comfort - In cycling the leg’s kinetic chain is closed by the pelvis/saddle contact at one end and by the shoe/pedal interface at the other. Your technician will devote a large part of the session aligning and balancing your foot/cleat position. An optional custom molded foot bed will be recommended for greater comfort, stability and power transfer. Cycling/sporting history Your technician will want detailed information of how long, far and at what level you have cycled in the past, or if you are migrating from another sport altogether Future cycling aspiration We need to know your targets and goals. It affects (in consultation with you) how far your technician will compromise comfort for performance – e.g. You will most likely use a different position for an IronMan triathlon than you would use for a Sprint or Olympic event. Your position should be right for every event and occasion. Text to go here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Maecenas non magna tincidunt lorem vehicula pharetra. Morbi est sem, adipiscing a, pulvinar nec, bibendum nec, eros. Quissdfgshest. Integer in ligula quis purus sodales venenatis. 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