{"id":2603,"date":"2015-08-10T04:09:36","date_gmt":"2015-08-09T19:09:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2015-08-10\/2603"},"modified":"2015-08-10T08:13:23","modified_gmt":"2015-08-09T23:13:23","slug":"bike-fitting-session-at-vincent-flanagans-pedtalforth-fitting-in-kyoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2015-08-10\/2603","title":{"rendered":"Bike-Fitting Session at Vincent Flanagan’s PedalForth Fitting in Kyoto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGetting Nowhere Fast<\/span>\n“<\/span>Riding”<\/span> a bicycle<\/span> posture-fitting apparatus, at PedalForth Fitting<\/a> in Kyoto, Japan\nphoto by Thomas Busch<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

If you ride a bicycle for long distances, as\nI<\/a>\nhave<\/a>\nbeen<\/a>\nwont<\/a>\nto<\/a>\ndo<\/a>\nlately<\/a>,\n\nyou want to feel comfortable on the bike and ride with a posture<\/span> that\ndoesn't lead to injury. If something<\/span> is so obviously uncomfortable that you\nnotice it right away then of course you correct it or at least try\nsomething else, but it's the subtle poor riding posture that can\ninsidiously lead to long-term injury.<\/p>\n\n

I often get numbness in my fingers after a long<\/span> ride, and my own brother\nhad to give up cycling after a long<\/span> ride left him with chronic pain. As I move<\/span> toward more serious cycling and a more<\/span> serious bike (and further into\nan age where injuries take a long<\/span> time to heal if they heal at all), I thought<\/span> I'd take the precaution to do things right by having a session<\/span> at\nVincent Flanagan's PedalForth\nFitting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Vincent is a former professional cyclist with an impressive resume...\nAustralian National Mountain Bike Champion (1991), and two-time All-Japan\nNational Mountain Bike Champion (1996, 1997). His non-cycling background is\nnursing and sports massage.<\/p>\n\n

I thought I'd learn what size bike was appropriate for me, and perhaps\nhow to adjust the seat and handlebar locations to best suit me, but I was<\/span> surprised to learn so much more.<\/p>\n\n

But first, let's look at some of what a “<\/span>bike fitting”<\/span>\nentails. German friend and ultra-marathon runner Thomas Busch, who cycles just to\naugment his run training, did a fitting<\/span> just\nbefore me, graciously allowing me to watch and photograph.<\/p>\n\n

I couldn't photograph (or remember) everything\nthat went into it, but here are a few<\/span> of the high points...<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nInitial Interview<\/span>\nVincent jots notes as Thomas describes his cycling\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

First there's an interview where Vincent asks about your cycling\nhistory, equipment, goals, desires, relevant medical history, etc.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nThomas' Bike<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Then Vincent takes an inventory of your current bicycle setup...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPreparing Thomas' Bike for Inspection<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMarking the Seat Setback<\/span>\nso it can be measured and, if required, returned to its exact initial position\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The shape and construction of the bicycle frame apparently has a strong<\/span>\nimpact as to how it rides, but from a rider<\/span>-posture point of view, only\nthree things matter: the location of the pedals, seat, and handlebars.\nThose are the locations where the rider attaches to the bike, so nothing\nelse really matters, from a posture<\/span> point of view.<\/p>\n\n

Everything is measured with respect to the crank axle at the bottom of\nthe frame. From what I recall,<\/span> for the seat the\nmeasurements include how far above and behind the crank axle, as well as\nits tilt and size and cushioning. For the\nhandlebars<\/span>, how far above and forward. For the\npedals<\/span>, how far from the axle and how they attach to the shoes. Of\ncourse, proper shoes and how they attach to the bike are also\nimportant.<\/p>\n\n

Vincent takes an inventory of your current setup prior to making any adjustment.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLasers<\/span>\n( it's difficult to see in the photo, except where the laser is painting a red<\/span> line across Vincent's hand )\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChecking Left\/Right Balance<\/span>\nif the distance to each brake lever is the same, the handlebars are balanced\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nExact Seat Location<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 280 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nRite of Measurement<\/span>\nlaughing at my comment that he looks as if he's about to bless the bike\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

After taking inventory of the current setup, Vincent takes inventory of\nsome important body characteristics that influence what kind of riding\nposture is appropriate...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHip Flexibility<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 1100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCore Strength<\/span>\nmeasured via plank<\/a>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 900 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSeat Width<\/span>\nspecial seat shows where your seat-contact points are\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSingle-Leg Squat<\/span>\ngives insight into the strength of the foot arch\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBack to Basics<\/span>\nchecking shoe size with a Brannock device<\/a>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Finally it's time to measure posture on the bike...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>40 sec, f<\/span>\/1.8, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nInitial Visual Assessment<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>20 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>20 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChecking Hip Balance<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.6, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPreparing for Video Analysis<\/span>\nwith the application of crash-dummy dots\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.6, ISO 720 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMore Measuring<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nClip Adjustment<\/span>\n( why do we still call shoes with pedal clips “<\/span>clipless”<\/span>? )\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 1000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/7.1, ISO 3600 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nVideo Capture<\/span>\nthe camera is off to the right, facing Thomas square to the side\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>40 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nAnalysis<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.6, ISO 180 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDiscussion<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/1.6, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSeat-Pressure Analysis<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMore Lasers<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFinal Tweaks<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

In the end, an experience cyclist may end up finding out nothing more\nthan “<\/span>your current setup is good”<\/span>, and if that's all you get for the $200\nfee, it may at first seem steep, but I look<\/span> at it in the same way as\ninsurance: you do it because you don't know the result ahead of time. I\nspent<\/span> $1,000 on travel health insurance for the family's RV trip across America<\/a>\nearlier this year. We ended<\/span> up not needing it, thankfully, but that doesn't\nmeant it was a $1,000 waste.... it was a prudent<\/span> hedge against uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n

After Thomas' fitting, it was my turn. Thomas kindly took a few<\/span> photos along the way...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 280 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChecking Leg-Length Balance<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nRummaging Though Insoles<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I have very flat feet, with no arch in my foot whatsoever. When I did<\/span> the single-foot squat test, most of my energy was\nnot spent on lowering my body, but instead on trying to stabilize my body\nabove my foot\/ankle. A normal<\/span> person with a normal<\/span> arch wouldn't have to waste that energy.\nVincent then placed a small<\/span> folded towel under my\narch to provide makeshift support, and the single-foot squat was suddenly\nmuch easier.<\/p>\n\n

This revelation was shocking to me, as I never<\/span> gave a thought<\/span> to the\nmechanical problems caused by flat feet. Until now, I thought<\/span> it merely\nimpacted shoe-fit comfort.<\/p>\n\n

I'd done that single-foot squat test a week<\/span> prior when I'd stopped by to\nmake and appointment (and ended up chatting for an hour), so when I came<\/span> today I brought<\/span> a\nbox<\/span> of various arch-support insoles that I'd accumulated over the years. I didn't<\/span> have\nany cycling shoes at the time, but Thomas lent me his for the fitting.<\/p>\n\n\n

(As I write this, I'm visiting my folks in The States, and through the magic of Zappos.com<\/a> I\nnow<\/span> have two pair of cycling shoes of my own. It seems<\/span> that European sizing\nis used for cycling shoes regardless of where you are in the world; my\npairs are size 48 from one company and 49 from another.)<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFitting Machine<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSeat-Height Adjustment<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nVideo Analysis<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 220 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPower Test<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The bike-fitting machine includes the ability to monitor the power output of your pedal stroke,\nand that data, along with much else, is displayed on the computer display...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCurrently Putting Out 317 Watts<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The machine went up to 450 watts, which I could<\/span> do easily for a short<\/span>\nperiod. The pros can<\/span> do that for long periods, which is why they're pros\nand I am<\/span> not.<\/p>\n\n

In the end I got lots of good tips about posture and shoes and riding\nstyles, and detailed specific information about what size bike is\nappropriate for me. I'm in the<\/span> process of ordering a “<\/span>real”<\/span> bicycle now,\nwhich hopefully will be waiting for me when I return<\/span> to Kyoto. Then I'll go\nback to Vincent to put the fitting's results to practical use in final\nadjustments on the new bike.<\/p>\n\n

( Update: I did get a new bike<\/a> and did have Vincent set it up for me. )<\/p>\n\n

Overall it was a great experience and I\nlearned<\/span> a lot<\/span>; if you are near Kyoto and\nride often, I highly<\/span> recommend it. His web site<\/a> is currently in Japanese only,\nbut of course he can conduct the fitting in English as well.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you ride a bicycle for long distances, as I have been wont to do lately, you want to feel comfortable on the bike and ride with a posture that doesn't lead to injury. If something is so obviously uncomfortable that you notice it right away then of course you correct it or at least try something else, but it's the subtle poor riding posture that can insidiously lead to long-term injury.<\/p>

I often get numbness in my fingers after a long ride, and my own brother had to give up cycling after a long ride left him with chronic [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2603"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}