His Saddle Was How High?! - Elite Bike Racer Full Bike Fit

[@daniels.2720]

Please James & Francis > a follow up video to his impressions of how this fit lasted or other adjustments needed. Thanks

[@FraserRobertTorpy]

Seconded. I would be very interested to know whether the new position initially FELT slow: I have a suspicion that this is why a lot of us stick with lousy positions for too long.

[@ltu42]

Really interesting how the "after" position has become visibly more relaxed and more aero at the same time, lower frontal area.

[@lesio40000]

And looks like neck is not so stretched

[@JRBennett84]

It’s been 20 years since I ended being a cyclist due to a chronic knee injury… watching all of yours, and @BikeFitJames videos got me the bug back. No money to do anything about it though!! lol. Keep up the amazing work gang!

[@sazridesbikes]

It’s incredible that this chap is a professional rider, yet his fit before yours has caused him pain and injury. It’s wonderful what you do James. It would be interesting to see in the future how his racing numbers stack up after this fit. A fantastic post, as ever. Enjoy your Thailand trip too, all of you 🎉

[@danieltull3622]

I love Jame's energy always. His cadence of speaking is amazing and his knowledge base is vast.

[@Pratalax]

4:00 Scorchioooo!! that joker impression was utterly spot on, too.

[@10ktube]

My search continues in Mid-Atlantic USA for a fitter like you. I have no real issues, I just want to get a fit by someone with your knowledge and sarcasm, primarily the sarcasm.

[@mordillokiwi]

Let me know if you find one. Been searching for years now and everyone looks like they are fitting from the 1980s.

[@xiaoliuwu8539]

Not in your area, but I found P-Fits/Fitted By Pedro in San Francisco subscribes to James' fitting principles. I had two bad fitters before going to Pedro.

[@bookle5829]

British sarcasm in America? Good luck.

[@deemey95]

I’m also desperate for a good mid-Atlantic fitter. The last guy I got recommended is still using plum lines to set positions.

[@lechprotean]

FWIW, I flew in with my saddle and shoes and booked a fit with James for one of my trips to London. No need to bring your whole bike with you.

[@eddnshoulders]

Another easy way to teach yourself awareness of correct saddle height is ride regularly/mostly on rollers (front and rear type) for a month or so and play with saddle height. Rollers highlight pedalling smoothness and will make any dead one very obvious. The highest setting without dead zones appearing has worked well for my comfort AND power output.

[@bbikerlawrence]

James of the Jobbings 🎉

[@andrewosborne9000]

Really great insight, love listening to James and will certainly book in for my own bike fit in the NY. Keep up the great content.

[@foresure7181]

love every video with james in them - truly shows how fitting is an art.

[@crankgreenwatts]

Everyday is a school day with James 🙌 What a difference between the before and after 👏

[@ChrisCorless]

Another great video. Love all the bike fit content with James and from James. Would be curious to go through a video of what changes need to be considered if you move your cleats rearward? Similarly, what happens if you increase the q-factor? Also curious about whether there is an easy way to know which leg you are dominant on. Great content. Thank you for putting the effort in! Wish I lived in the northern hemisphere to get a fit with him!

[@danjohnson9705]

Amazing how obvious the change is in his shoulders also. Visibly more relaxed in the shoulders and neck.

[@MrJhockley]

I've got a massive 1st ray elevation. if i want even pressure across my forefoot standing, running, cycling i need up to 7mm of wedging or around 4 degrees .I've got a mild mortons toe so i've had to push back cleats with a extender plate to get behind the ball of foot. G8's have helped stabilise the foot a but i've found a mixture of wedging and arch support yields the best comfort. I've also got a mild tibial varum and an accentuated femoral q angle. I needed around 15mm of extra stance each side. I'm probably doing a few things wrong as its DIY but it's been so comfortable and producing more power. Also on 165 cranks and not slamming the stem has helped loads. Interesting things i've found out now is that i can ride no hands for the 1st time ever, i can also hold 140rpm for a short while. Many thanks to James for the inspiration and knowledge. I've had a couple of bad fits in the past so great to hear someone actually being able to justify of their decisions.

[@tongotongo3143]

In my case 180mm cranks work the best. While 145mm cranks no no thank you.

[@natashabarton7134]

I tried the G8 insoles, seriously wanted them to work but there is a raised bit to the lateral (outer) part of the rear foot that seriously digs in and hurts, why would they put this into an insole

[@muji_not_tech]

I don't understand shit but it's incredible what James did...

[@cyanomical]

CHAOS!! just sent me 🤣 literally Joker vibes

[@PeterBlink]

are we not going to talk about that spot on joker impression??

[@Mincher]

You can see the effect of those changes all the way up James' back, shoulders and neck. The 'before' looks excruciating in comparison.

[@dan44zzt231]

I'd be in agony riding with my arms locked out and shoulders rolled forward like this within about 30 minutes never mind 60k miles.

[@tongotongo3143]

Yes, after bike fit he even looks younger and handsomer.

[@ShadowzKiller]

I am waiting to see a fit where James staggers the cleats or q-factor, because I think some of us may need this.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

Chaos!!! 🤣🤣🤣 I need to book a fit

[@franksauer7682]

Love the extra explanation in this video!

[@ponkanpinoy]

10:15 ish just my eyes or is James' right knee flicking inboard at the top of the stroke? Is that a bad cue to consider stance or is this a case of in this particular it's fixing more issues than it's causing?

[@juliaandsanderdekoning]

Good catch!

[@jst8051]

Also noticed this movement, but to me motion of the knee coming in looks to be a consequence of it going out before that. From what James has been telling us in other videos, knee going out may be a result of pedals being too narrow. Here though stance was widened. Could it be that it’s just how it works for the rider?

[@we1rd92]

9:35 i only have saddle sores on the right side and i can't stop them 🥲. My left leg and foot are shorter than their counterparts so i put a shim under the left foot and use insoles but i just can't find the solution. Would love to visit James one day...

[@jikemenkins7098]

You're going to have to start prescribing Favero Assioma power meters as a corrective action!

[@Aeysir]

For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me, it was Tuesday.

[@weirdlittleangel]

love these videos. ergonomy ftw.

[@hobscotch6161]

How does static bike fit correspond to dynamic?, I went to a bike fitter a few years back, with a specific issues that never was resolved. I managed to sort it myself after a ton of research and wasted money. The bike trainer fit felt totally different once out on the road..

[@rugiOHHHH]

7:51 genuine joy

[@markg454]

great content

[@highfived]

I need a bike fit from this Jedi Master

[@Manetty6]

James! Can you please invest some monay to mics? Thanks.

[@Trevor.Adams640]

Unless I missed it, if the wider SPD SL pedals still aren’t wide enough, how do you increase the stance further?

[@gearhunter]

8:20 Somebody looks happy =)

[@tongotongo3143]

Bike fit is the most important, it’s crucial. I would say, if you have money just for either bicycle, or bike fit session, go for the bike fit session because it’s even more important than actually having a bicycle.

[@Tomdrumsandcycles]

What does it say about bike fitting that James didn’t use the bike fitter in the very bike shop that he works in?

[@myPPPLab]

what saddle is in use? a power saddle/short saddle - will make sit forward?

[@Cycle.every.day.]

Folks want full leg power hence alot of saddles are too high , the leg stops producing power way way way before straight , that's the best thought to have to have the confidence to lower your saddle.

[@out_spocken]

Is there an issue though with overloading a more bent knee? Given that the least pressure on the knee is when the leg is straight. Each degree increases pressure which can increase stress/pain? It's what I'm currently dealing with at the moment. I'm guessing fore aft also makes a big difference with this.

[@MylesHSG]

Im no road racer, heck i ride a folding bike but ive always been told to have the saddle up to your leg is almost straight at the bottom of the stroke. Is this wrong?

[@markusseppala6547]

What is the cause of clawing the toes inside the shoe? I do that often with my right foot when on the trainer.

[@olishobbyscene1643]

good question. I do it on the left side when indoor.

[@Lemond75]

Lack of stability and/or arch support inside the shoe. The toes claw if the foot is searching for more stability.

[@abedfo88]

James looks vaguely familiar but can't place him. Has been on other youtube stuff

[@mitchhorton9178]

How do you get the initial position set up on the studio bike versus his real life bike? Is it a 100% match?

[@jealnoslyn]

I am guessing he brought his bike in and they measured it. There are tools made specifically for measuring all aspects of bike fit.

[@christosandreev6392]

I don't think the G8 is a relatively cost effective system. It only lasts 6 months, 8 at most. Durability is disappointing. Custom beds cost about 200 USD and can last 2-3 years

[@natashabarton7134]

I tried the G8s but they have a raised lateral edge in the rear foot which is so odd! It digs in. No idea why

[@timtaylor9590]

Easy way to get saddle height right, when you sit at the nose it's too low when you sit at the back it's too high. If I were to do a short tt or hill climb I would raise it a bit because I would be towards the front of the saddle but that would make my normal riding position uncomfortable.

[@quintennn]

I'd love to get a bike fit at this level, but unfortunately the options in Belgium are not as advanced as what James and his staff offer, or they are 3x the price...

[@johnwestwell2241]

Eurostar from Brussels to London...

[@quintennn]

@ fair point, but that increases the price again. I've considered it, if I can convince the misses to come along for a city trip it might be an option!

[@johnwestwell2241]

@@quintennn If bike fitters in Belgium really are three times the price, it would certainly be worth it if you're struggling with your bike fit. Admittedly, the shop is out in west London, but there's a rail station nearby and probably slightly cheaper overnight accommodation than you'd find in central London.

[@johnnunn8688]

Anyone with sore hips or other ortho issues, could do worse than watch KZbin, ’Upright Health’.

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

🎉🎉🎉he’s awesome.

[@stephensmith2820]

Arch support again .ARRGGH

[@lenolenoleno]

Maybe I watch too many BikeFitJames video but could spot the changes straight off the bat 2s into the video. Boggles me that he's a professional racer and has such a poor fit/no one in the entire racing team/mechanic/riders/coaches could spot/advise him otherwise despite the obvious discomfort.

[@mustridefaster]

This is surprisingly common, even at the pro level. First, there aren't very many good or qualified bike fitters anywhere that have the physiology training needed. Second, cycling is all about being uncomfortable and "suffering" at the competitive level. That mindset tends to pervade the peloton and riders just become accustomed to discomfort, of all types, and think it is just a part of the sport.

[@bertusbob]

👍👍👍

[@Gramkan]

Should name who previously fit him, what a disaster. I only watch fitting videos on KZbin and could tell it was off instantly

[@dietersanchez203]

A local issue in my area is that some people have attended paid regional seminars and have "earned" a diploma (of attendance LMAO), and then they somehow consider themselves bike fitters. None of them have the proper equipment (most of them place the client's bike on trainers or rollers), which means there is no easy way to change lengths, which defeats the purpose. If the client needs to step down, wait for you to loosen, remove, place, and retorque something, or whatever, it gives enough time for him/her to rest, relax, stretch, readjust, but what if the client comes with an integrated cockpit? then you can't work with the target bike, and then you're mostly guessing or ill-advising. Putting the client on a different bike defeats the purpose. Taking pictures through an iPad and let the app guess the angles and such is not a proper bike fit, more like snake oil. I presume something very similar has happened with him.