Getting A Professional Bike Fit | Everything You Need To Know

When you buy a bike from a shop, you should get a basic fit to make sure you've got the right size frame, that you're comfortable, and it's safe to ride. Once you've started to get familiar with your bike, it's time to look into your position in a little more detail. And this is where a professional bike fit can come in handy.
With a time trial bike, it's often a compromise between comfort, power production, and aerodynamics. So, if you've invested in a new time trial bike, you want to make the most of those aerodynamic features and working on your position is vital. Several small tweaks can end up making a significant difference. There are many tools and software than can be used by bike fitters, but they still require an expert eye that can interpret them, but also listen to your individual needs. Now, I need to find a position that will suit me for a long distance triathlon.
I'm delighted to say that I've got ex pro cyclist and iron man triathlete, Magnus Backstedt, who's agreed very kindly to help me out on this bike fit. So, thanks Magnus.
Well, normally we would start with setting your cleat position up on your shoes. But because you're in a mid-level race season, and you've got some events coming up, I would refrain from touching them too much right now, so I rather you come back and see me at some point when you've got a down time. 'Cause as soon as we start messing around with your cleats you're always running that risk of having your knees going a little bit tender, and so on, and we don't wanna be jeopardising any events that you've got coming up.
So, first of all, I'll just get you onto the bike and then we're gonna marker you up so that the cameras can read what you're doing. The next thing now is that we've gotta get you riding your bike for about a minute or so for your body to settle down on the bike, find you a comfortable position, and then when I see that you're sitting still on the bike in the position that you normally do when you're putting out a bit of power, then I'll record about 30-40 seconds of image on the computer. And then we'll go back in and analyse that, see what's what, make any changes, and then we'll repeat that until we've found the position that we're happy with.
Okay, so you've had a quick look. And I know you've made some quite drastic observations. What'd you notice, Magnus?
Well, I've noticed that you're struggling to open up your hip flexor on the left hand side, which means that you're tilting over every time you're peddling. Most of the time, that's something that comes from too much travelling, previous injury, falling off your bike, even running injuries sometimes can limit that one. But, the biggest thing that we all struggle with, is that we sit down at an office desk, we sit down at home, we sit down in a car, I don't know if you've been travelling, aeroplanes tends to be really really nasty on your hip flexors.
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[@MrShoji5150]

I totally agree about small changes makes big difference. It’s not only about sports, it apply to everything. But come from only desire to makes things better and improved.

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

Motion. Capture. 🤤🤤🤤 Drool's related more to the bike fit breakdown (though Heather's riding form is eye candy). 😁

[@Yosser70]

Bike fit by numbers! Wouldn't trust a fitter if they didn't do some range of motion and flexibility tests before getting the client on the bike.

[@SamuelWallsJames]

Awesome video, fascinating to see how such small changes so noticeably influences Heather’s position! Also she is tiny next to Magnus 😂

[@Enjoylife4022]

Being a giant and called magnus. Sir I salute you

[@madmonkeycycling9098]

Magnus knows his shizzle.

[@hugolegars5817]

Very interesting video !

[@Monn3]

Why would you not announce him as a Paris Roubaix Winner! :(

[@joeyc8546]

Nice with those sensors. Did it track head position too or calculate where it would be? How much compromise does it require from power to give the necessary comfort and efficiency in that position?

[@mitchellsteindler]

Joey C every person is different. Some people don't drop any watts in tt position, some drop 15%. If you want to know for you, you need to try it.

[@debaetsstevie]

Can you still shift with handelbar so close?

[@ChristopheFlemin]

Something I’d like to know: is a bike fit for everyone or should I leave that to the pro. I have a fairly advance road bike I fit it myself by following gcn advice and I’m comfortable on it I have no particular problems but should I go to a specialist to make sure I’m getting the best of my bike?

[@th_js]

No you shouldn't, if you feel comfortable.

[@Slater_the_gater]

I’d kill to have the name Magnus

[@sharkman0982]

Slater Whiston Name of the TDF rider?

[@sharkdom]

I think he means he wishes he was called Magnus...

[@csm8245]

Imagine naming your son Magnus and he never gets taller than 1,70m ^^

[@JS-tb9hu]

What about a flexibility test?

[@alancaballero4092]

Flexibility expresses itself in the fitting process but more apparent in a dynamic bike fit.

[@sharkdom]

Did Heather have to climb up a beanstalk to get to Magnus's bike fit studio??

[@alancaballero4092]

Get the fit first then get the bike that fits those coordinates. Saves you from buying the wrong bike size or having to make a frame “work” to fit you. The bike should fit you, not you make yourself fit the bike.

[@Don-cq5fg]

What does a fitting like this cost?

[@ianpovey6331]

not much gear changing after that bike fit as the di2 buttons are almost touching each other lol

ian povey i was wondering the same.

[@ianpovey6331]

ive been told you can rotate the DI2 shifter

[@omucubranza]

should i get a bike fit before i buy a new bike or after?

[@gtn]

If you get one done before, then you can make sure to get the correct size bike. You will then have the measurements and can get your new bike to fit these.

[@omucubranza]

Global Triathlon Network thanks for the answer guys! I appreciate very much your videos! Keep em coming!

[@ianpovey6331]

wonder how much magnus charges ???

[@s44Strike]

basis bike fit 125 pounds standard bike fit 250 pounds. Very reasonable prices I think. (PS always go for the standard well worth the extra 125)

[@ianpovey6331]

same as a guru bike fit then

[@ironmantooltime]

Cost?

[@PeterPutz82]

TDF rider lost because his wrists were rolled in?!? Oh please, I smell marketing spin.

[@rokutaro]

his wrists were rolled in and that caused a huge fart which was the reason he got disqualified and thus lost the tdf

[@billsedge7360]

John Citizen I can remember figneon loosing the tdf but he didn’t have tribars , so not sure where this comment relates to

[@1dree1]

@@billsedge7360 maybe Andy Schleck in 2011? I think it has to be someone who could have won but lost due to a time trial - (he didn't necessarily had to be in yellow at this point) When I go through all the years he may have been the one.

[@conorverbruggen5133]

For much more bike-fit and much much more Maggie check out Francis Cade's vids

[@cflash18]

How much is her bike worth. 15k?

[@casualguy393]

It prolly cost that much. Is it worth it? For some, yes. For me? Nope. Nice bike though

[@pilkjaer]

Bike fit every year is sure not a cheap thing. I can't even afford do it once. Thanks to GCN and GTN one can do half bad job him/herself.

[@johnbouttell5827]

Another example of marginal gains

[@mirceaandreighinea]

"few millimeters ... ends up making big difference over all" :-))) BLA BLA BLA