The most important thing about cycling, other than obeying the rules of the road (as a bicycle is considered a vehicle in the Highway Traffic Act) is bike fit. If your bike doesn't fit you properly, you will never be completely comfortable riding it.

 

FRAME FIT

Frame size is very important, as one that is either too big or too small can make your lower back, shoulders and arms ache, or put too much pressure on your sit bones. Once you have the right frame, you can then adjust the seat height, tilt and front to back position, then check the reach to see if the handlebar stem that came with the bike is too long or too short. There are many other adjustments or changes that can be made to your bicycle to get the perfect fit.

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LINKS

• Fresh Air - These folks do a complete bike fit.

• Bikefit.com  - This site is quite in depth, so if you're only a beginner or intermediate rider, read through it and pick out the most important sections first. (Frame size, seat positioning and stem length) There is also a section "Quick fixes for pain and discomfort" in the main menu.

• Bike Fit Adviser Videos - PT driven bike fit advice (quite a few videos)

• Get a Perfect Bike Fit: 3 Key Measurements Every Cyclist Should Know​

• Revisionist Theory of Bicycle Sizing - "The Long and Short of It" by Sheldon Brown ( a very good read, plus numerous links to other fitting sources on the web)

• The Myth of K.O.P.S. (Knee over peddle spindle) - An Alternative Method of Bike Fit by Keith Bontrager

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FRAME MATERIAL

Another thing to remember is frame material: steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber. Each one has it`s own pros and cons. Things to consider are: price, weight, durability, flexibility, ride quality and longevity. 

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 LINKS

• Carbon Fiber vs Aluminum vs Steel vs Titanium - I Love Bicycling

• Bike Frames: Carbon, Steel And Aluminum, Explained - Gearjunkie.com

• Compare Bicycle Frame Materials: Steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Carbon fiber - Mostsport

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SADDLES

Bike seats are the next most important thing for a comfortable ride. If the saddle that comes with your bike does not feel right the first time you sit on it and you immediately feel pressure points, you might want to swap it out. Remember, there are specific men's (narrower) and women's (wider) saddles too. There are hundred's of saddle makes and models, so don't stop trying them until you are completely comfortable. You'll know when you've found the right saddle, it'll fit like a lazy-boy rocker. 

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LINKS

• A Comfortable Bicycle Saddle - by Sheldon Brown

• Seat Comfort - Video 1 from bicyclelab.com

• Seat Comfort - Video 2 from bicyclelab.com

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CYCLING SHORTS (no this is not considered bike fit, but it's important)

Even if you're a beginner cyclist, DON'T BUY CHEAP CYCLING SHORTS, you'll regret it. That doesn't mean you have to get the top-of-the-line ones, just make sure they have a fairly dense chamois material that isn't going to compress to nothing after the first few rides and washes. Again, like saddles, some shorts will feel more comfortable than others. If so, then those are the shorts for you. 

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