2016: The Year of the Bike Fit

Regardless of the bike style or brand you ride, from triathlon to commuting or downhill to touring, you should make 2016 your most successful year of cycling yet; by getting yourself set-up for comfort, efficiency and to avoid injury with Body Geometry Fit.

Body Geometry Fit is the leading method of bicycle fitment in the world; making use of ergonomically developed and scientifically tested gear, a comprehensive pre-fit interview and flexibility assessment, a ride analysis and bike fitment – making use of fit technologies, and a follow up Body Geometry Fit session. The most important part of the Body Geometry Fit programme is the fit specialist; who has been extensively trained and tested to hone his or her skills in order to implement the Body Geometry Fit principals individually to your unique anatomy and riding style.

Dr Andy Pruitt.

As Dr Andy Pruitt explained at the Body Geometry Fit conference at Spier, outside Stellenbosch on the 25th and 26th of November, the science of bike fit has come a long way since he performed the first medical bike fit in 1979 on the, then, future cycling Olympic gold medallist Connie Carpenter. The overarching aim remains the same though; to make you more comfortable on the bike and in so doing help you ride faster or further without developing an injury, or to treat an existing injury. Unlike most bike fitment programmes, Body Geometry Fit takes a three dimensional view of the human body on the bike by incorporating the Z plane (3rd dimension) along with the traditional side on X and Y planes. The X and Y planes are essential to your comfort on the bike, as they are used to address your saddle height and reach. But they fail to address the primary joints affected by the continual stress of cycling – the knees. It is for this reason that Dr Pruitt first introduced the Z plane in his medical bike fitments, by observing the rider front-on, from behind and above. In so doing he was able to not only observe the tracking of the knees but also note that very few riders sit squarely on the saddle.

With the saddle being the primary contact point between the rider and the bike, it is the primary cause of soft tissue injury and as Body Geometry Fit research has shown a major role player in the development of serious lifestyle threatening conditions. These include erectile dysfunction and sexual dysfunction in men and urinary tract infections and sexual dysfunction in women. By incorporating ergonomic design and rigorous scientific testing into the development of Body Geometry Fit products these issues have been successfully negated. Each Body Geometry Fit saddle is designed and tested to ensure it allows at least 50% of a rider’s normal blood flow through the Pudendal Artery, which runs alongside the Pudendal Nerve in the soft tissue between your Ischial Tuberosities (sit bones). The Fit process then matches you to the saddle that best suits your anatomy, in terms of sit bone width, and riding style, so it can provide support where you need it.

The Body Geometry Fit shoes are the next key items in the Fit process as they offer built-in support for Forefoot Varus. A key point to understand here is that 90% of the general population exhibit Forefoot Varus, which is the angling of the forefoot so that the big-toe side of the foot is higher than the outside of the foot. Though all Body Geometry Fit shoes have built Forefoot Varus support, they have been designed to be retrofit with wedges to remove, or accentuate the Forefoot Varus support. In extreme cases they can even be retrofit to offer support for riders with the rare Forefoot Valgus.

If discomfort on the bike has made you fall out of love with riding Body Geometry Fit will reignite your cycling passion. Overcome old injuries, avoid developing new ones and protect yourself from the terrifying consequences of impeding your blood-flow through the Pudendal Artery. Get a Body Geometry Fit and experience a new level of comfort on your bike. Body Geometry Fit is for everyone; regardless of the bike you ride, your riding experience can be improved with a Body Geometry Fit.

What To Expect From A Body Geometry Fit Session

• An extensive pre-fit interview.
• An 18 step pre-fit physical assessment (including the measurement of your sit-bone width).
• A visual assessment of your ride.
• A 15 step bike fitment.
• At the end of the process the Fit specialist will schedule a follow up session with you to check-back on your set-up in a few weeks’ time.
• Time: 90 minutes to 3 hours (depending on pre-existing injuries)
• Cost: ± R1 500 (depending on the Fit specialist’s experience)

Where To Get A Body Geometry Fit

Body Geometry Fit is offered by all Specialized Concept and Elite stores in South Africa and Namibia. To find a Body Geometry Fit specialist near you click here and enter your address in the “Find a Fitter” search box.