Find the Bicycle That Fits You and Your Riding Needs

First posted on 05-29-2008

With all the different styles and designs of bicycles, how can you determine which one is right for you? It all depends on what type of biking you plan to do.

Willa Williams, 4-H youth instructor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, says, “At your local bicycle shop, you will find bicycles for every type of bicyclist. When you find the type of bicycle that will serve your riding needs, it is important to be fitted for the bicycle in order to prevent injuries and ensure optimal performance.”

Bicycle fitting is done by measuring where your body lines up with the bicycle’s frame size, saddle height, seat angle, handlebars and saddle design.

The League of American Bicyclists says that frame size is the most important component of comfort. When straddling the bike, you should have 1 - 2 inches of standover on road bikes and 3 - 4 inches of standover on mountain or hybrid bikes. When seated with your feet on the pedals, your knees should be slightly bent.

When viewed from the side, the nose and back of the seat saddle should be horizontal, according to the League of American Bicyclists. The middle of the saddle should create a dip that goes from the front to the back. Seat saddles shouldn’t be tilted more than five degrees above or below a horizontal level. Saddle designs come in gender-specific, comfort and performance models. Riders should not experience pain or numbness in the saddle.

Handlebar setup is a personal preference, although it is generally higher for comfort and lower for performance.

If your primary interest is leisure riding, Williams recommends trying a hybrid bicycle. These bikes feature combined elements from mountain bikes, racing bikes, and touring bikes. Hybrid bikes are ideal for the average rider that intends to ride on roads, well-worn tracks and paths, but is not looking for a high-performance bike. Williams adds, “Shifting gears is a relatively simple process on these low-intensity bicycles.”

Are you interested in competitive road bike racing? If so, Williams suggests trying a road racing bicycle. High-performance road racing bicycles are perfect for competitive bike riding. These bikes have narrow seats that are comfortable for riding long distances. Road racing bicycles have handlebars that curve downwards as well as multiple gears. They are very lightweight and aerodynamic and have snap-in pedals where bikers can clip in their shoes. The road racing bike requires riders to lean forward on the handlebars to maintain their balance and reach high speeds. Williams says, “It is important that racing bicyclists maintain strong abdominal muscles, which will help to take much of the strain off of the back during extended bike rides.”

Williams says that recumbent bicycles are ideal for bicyclists that are predisposed to back problems, because they allow riders to sit in a recumbent position, supported by a sturdy back cushion. On the recumbent bicycle, the rider’s legs extend forward to pedals that are at about the same height as the seat. Steering can be done using a handlebar that is located either in front of the rider or below the seat. There are many versions of recumbent bicycles that allow them to work efficiently as mountain bikes, as bicycles for two, or as hand-powered bicycles that can be used by paraplegics.

To find out more about proper bicycle fit and the best type of bicycle for your riding needs, refer to the League of American Bicyclists website at http://www.bikeleague.org.

For more information about best bicycle fit, please contact your county extension agent or visit http://www.uaex.edu. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

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