Self Bike Fit, how I adjusted my bikes for comfort and efficiency

[@stephen_101]

Fantastic video. When I was overweight (95kg / 210lbs) I couldn't get comfortable due to excess pressure on the hands and neck pain. I got a bike fit and the three changes which solved the problem were: - Shorten stem from 100mm to 80mm - Lower saddle as much as possible - Move saddle aft Essentially you are moving your bulk backwards by shortening the stem and moving the saddle aft, and keeping the saddle low helps stabilise things. So if you are an overweight cyclist reading this, bear these changes in mind.

[@fede1275]

Thank you Stephen, these changes make sense, I am happy you are more comfortable now on the bike!

[@ervinkroeker4760]

great video, been riding 50+ years I love when you said to lessons to you body, and make it fit for you. I used to be fit on the numbers. Doent be afraid to make a adjustments, you can always go back.Well keep watching for good information

[@fede1275]

Thank you 👍 👍

[@edl3901]

I wish i had see your videos much earlier all your videos make so much sens to me ! I have see loads of bikefit vids and most are all about strikt massutements and gifs you ( me )the feeling that if you are not fitting in those massurements you need a other bike but how you explaining things feels just right and more logical ! Greets from Holland !

[@fede1275]

@@edl3901 thank you!!

[@edl3901]

@fede1275 your very welcome ! .....and i,am happy Living in Holland because here are almost every where special roads parallel to the main road just for bike riders ( we call them fietspaden !

[@craigherriot4026]

I have only just found your channel and am finding it to be an excellent source of information. You have explained the whole process of adjusting ones set-up on the bike so well. I am constantly tinkering with my own set-up. I think it can become an obsession though and eventually you just have to settle on something and get on with cycling 😉

[@fede1275]

Thank you! You are right, I had a similar phase when I kept adjusting, but in the end you have to settle on the best compromise and get used to it.

[@norcalchrismeister]

Great video, Federico! Unlike other bike fit videos I've seen, you make it easy to understand.

[@fede1275]

Thank you,!!

[@yishaithegift9953]

Very informative video. I have been adjusting my fit by feel. I find that doing so brings a bike/rider connection that is hard to describe. Over the last 7 months I have been tweaking the finest details. A mm here mm there, test ride, feel where the bike wants you to be. So that the engine is rested perfectly in the frame.

[@MrMpow3r]

Excellent video, very informative. Thank you

[@fede1275]

Thank you for watching!

[@foxyrollouts]

Very thorough video. Cheers

[@fede1275]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@docb.87]

Thanks, again, Federico Ciampella, for another great video. And, Happy Holiday season!

[@fede1275]

Thank you, have a great time as well!

[@NeRR2]

As a draftsperson, I'm all about dimensions and geometry - something I need to let go when it comes to bike fit!

[@Xheyung]

An Absolute bang-on! I recently took on cycling and was injured around the lower back region and had been trying to find out the cause of it and your videos on the saddle height has done it for me. I will definitely adopt your method to identify the correct saddle fit for me moving forward. Thank you for your effort on making those videos. Cheers!

[@fede1275]

Thank you, it was such a revelation for me and I wanted to share my experience. If you look at Francis Cade with Bikefit James they also mention how many cyclists end up too high. Same as Neill Stanbury on Cam Nicholls channel

[@manmoun1962]

Your explanations are very useful

[@fede1275]

Thank you 👍

[@Youtubefana]

Excellent video. It has taken me a few years to understand all of this and a lot of trial and error.

[@fede1275]

Thank you! Definitely worth trying, the improvement is noticeable!!

[@hendipray1016]

Great explanation federico, really helpfull..

[@ouli1213]

thanks for the idea sir😊🙌🏻

[@fede1275]

👍 👍

[@docb.87]

Always, I appreciate your videos. What you teach me here, foremost, are 2 things: 1) I COULD do my own bike fit if I sit down and put in the time and effort to learn my bike (I am so sick and tired of going back and forth to the fitter whose measurements never cease to be off), 2) a bike fit today does not have to be the same bike fit tomorrow, if you know what I mean.

[@fede1275]

Yes, exactly. I believe that with patience and application you can get a good riding position. It is always a work in progress and further changes might be needed, you are right. 👍👍

[@kezzert21]

Wise words, Mr F, wise words!

[@gianpaologliori3604]

Thanks Federico…interesting reflections on a very complex subject! Particularly interested in you having bikes with both endurance and race geometry as there is a lot of advice directing riders who are not very young and lacking in upper body mass to endurance bikes but it seems to me you can get comfortable on both with a bit of adjustment. Separately, as a topic for another video, how about discussing some of the points made by Phil Cavell in his new book “The Midlife Cyclist”?

[@fede1275]

Thank you for your comment! You are right, within reason I believe you can get comfortable both on a more upright position and a more aggressive one, as long as all the adjustment are considered together as a whole. I will look into that book!

[@clauder7478]

Tante grazie , molto interessante, Migilori saluti

[@fede1275]

Grazie a te!

[@gxdx697]

Great video!

[@fede1275]

👍 👍

[@Ryezn5057]

What brand is the red bike? Also great video

[@fede1275]

Thank you, it's a Merida. Is their Scultura 200 disc, aluminum frame with carbon fork.

[@pskonejott2568]

I think its critical to know what adjust to make when you feel uncomfort. And for every change you make be sure to spend plenty hours (like 20 hours maybe) for body to adapt before any further adjustment.

[@fede1275]

Absolutely, as the body tries to adjust to every change and only later you find if it is good or not.

[@lucarusso7915]

Bell video. Bravo

[@fede1275]

Grazie mille!

[@arienzoamadeus6675]

Great video

[@thatguyjimbo]

I tried to set my saddle height with the seat tube higher than its suppose to be. Its "rideable" but i didn't feel as much power going through the pedals when I did the heel to pedal method.

[@fede1275]

Yes, I also find out that you can adjust to different position and just ride, but it would not be efficient for best power

[@batuempedu2050]

At 9:50 you say perception of body movement does not always match up to reality and I too was shocked when my daughter filmed me riding and i looked like some crab with knees splaying out sideways! I was legendary aerodynamic in my own mind only.

[@fede1275]

Yes, it's incredible and it works for a lot of disciplines. We could save a lot of time by filming to improve the technique. Most of the time we think it's something only the pros do, but why not, it's so effective!

[@rEdHoTcHiLiPePPEr411]

What is your opinion of the H36 cockpit? I find it stretches out the rider quite alot

[@fede1275]

I'm riding an H31, 12 cm stem and I'm very comfortable. Have you checked your saddle set back and it's not too far back? You might try to move the levers slightly upwards as it might reduce the reach

[@ken7514]

Wish you can do a review on the Canyon. I want to order the same bike and size but I am 190cm tall and curious that you use a 120cm stem

[@fede1275]

Yes, maybe I will do a more specific review. I found size L perfect for me and I believe I have longish arms, that's why I feel comfortable with a 12 cm stem. More over that the seatpost hasn't got much layback, so I'm more forward anyway. I'm 185 and inseam 88/89.

[@cyclingkopi4654]

Hi Federico, I am so glad you made this video! Especially mentioning it’s not that meaningful with plump line knee to pedal method, as well as handle bar can be behind the hub. I struggled with these methods and you had given the confirmation I needed. Thanks! 👍 I have 1 question. Your Merida has seat post setback for a relaxed position, so your stem was locked in at 11cm. I wonder would it be the same to change the seat post to zero setback (or shift saddle forward 1cm), and change to a 12cm stem, to have an aggressive position? I wanted to be faster on my endurance bike so wondering would that work.

[@fede1275]

Thank you for your comment, it definitely worked for me regarding the knee. For the Merida yes, if it was going to be my only bike I would have definitely kept the 12 cm stem and found a different seatpost with no setback. I eventually changed back to 11 cm as now I use the Merida for commuting and a more relaxed position is not bad for that purpose.

[@cyclingkopi4654]

@@fede1275 👍 Cool. I will try and extend the stem on my bike and shift saddle forward. I am also like you, constantly adjusting the fit to make myself comfortable. Haha.

[@fede1275]

@@cyclingkopi4654 I known, eventually we need to settle for a good compromise!

[@cccycling5835]

I check my posture by looking at myself when stopped on the high street in a store’s glass facade. I know I’m not the only one. ☝️

[@fede1275]

All the time! Getting filmed while riding is safer and more effective though 😄

[@lydiadavies7073]

the bit about you skiing made me laugh, as I recently had my running filmed and my god - my legs were like spaghetti

[@fede1275]

I know, it's a humbling experience looking at ourselves from the outside, but at least we can improve the technique 😄

[@tropea436]

Ciao Federico, volevo chiederti se anche a te il piede tocca la ruota anteriore quando sterzi abbastanza, grazie...

[@fede1275]

Ciao, a me, con la bici di taglia L e le tacchette arretrate, la punta tocca appena. Per me non è un gran problema, mi sono abituato a evitare di pedalare in quella posizione, un po' come quando entri in curva con il pedale su per non toccare per terra.

[@tropea436]

@@fede1275 grazie mille 👍🏼

[@meuko]

Great video, thanks for the tips! I know you're not the same height as me, but perhaps in your searching, is there any brand you recommend for taller riders? I'm 195cm and have been looking for quite some time now.

[@fede1275]

Thank you, I am 185cm and you might fall in the XL category maybe? Canyon is known to be larger than other brands in same sizes, some riders similar to me ride M as well. Not easy these days to try out first!

[@vfclists]

Is there a stream running behind your home?

[@fede1275]

Not that I'm aware 😄

[@vfclists]

@@fede1275 It was the sound in the background, like the wind blowing through leaves, or some other sound, like a sprinkler or fountain.

[@fede1275]

@@vfclists maybe the airplanes to and from Heathrow

[@Speedwaynord]

So you have size L ? Even for the canyon ? Great videos !

[@fede1275]

Thank you! Yes both L, the Canyon with a 12cm stem, with the Merida I got back to 11cm as I use it mainly for commuting. I believe I have long arms, the Canyon geometry is perfect for me with the steep seat angle. The Merida is more relaxed.

[@Speedwaynord]

@@fede1275 Thanks you, I’m the same height and currently looking for a canyon (ultimate or Aeroad). It helps me 👍

[@fede1275]

@@Speedwaynord they say the Aeroad feels lower and longer, not sure about its sizing. My inseam is 88/89cm

[@htowncl]

@@Speedwaynord did you get the canyon, I’m 185cm and canyon but me in a M for the aeroad 56cm

[@CDGZZ]

I am wondering if it is really possible to adjust the cleats without the view of a bikefitter

[@fede1275]

Sure! There is a video for that 😀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH_FeGCPZ56LbLssi=qyIw6Q9DDjBKuQ_6

[@Tuffjobs]

I wasted a fortune buying bikes before realising the first bike I bought was a perfect fit. All the bikes I bought after that were too big. My problem is short arms and long legs.

[@fede1275]

I can understand, it seems the industry is targeting normal to short legs and long arms. I believe I have long arms and a longer stem was needed.

[@tongotongo3143]

The best cyclists ride only with round backs, and the better the cyclists the rounder is his back. Only newbies and slow cyclists ride with perfectly straight backs. Actually lots of bike fitters have no clue and have been adjusting people to ride with straight backs. Yes, logically thinking straight back should the correct position, but by thinking logically humanity hundreds of years believed that Sun is spinning around our Earth and not the other way around:)

[@fede1275]

The best cyclists ride with round backs only because they started at 6 years of age and their body kept adjusting to the position. Their pelvis had to adjust to old style saddles and rotate backwards to avoid groin pain. As adults they are then almost bent by the long hours on the bike. As normal users no one should look at that position as the target, so straight back is definitely 100 times better. Regardless of heliocentrism theories.

[@tongotongo3143]

Round back as a target of course not:) I ride bicycles semiprofessionally from the age of five. When I was 5 years old I won my first competition and became city champion, my picture was in newspaper! Then I always rode bikes till the age of 19. Then I took many years of break until started riding again, and I do ride with naturally round back. Tried to force myself to ride with straight back but no power at all. When I ride and see another cyclist as a victim I just round my back, change gear, and the victim is done. So maybe you are right, this forms as a consequence of riding bicycle from young age.