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Fitting to a Stock Design (Cont’d).
Step 4: Get rider feedback and adjust the rider fit .
This is where the fitter’s “bedside manner’ is crucial. The goal is to get the most honest feed-
back possible from the rider and then to make adjustments accordingly. Be wary of riders
whoprovide you the answers they think you want to hear. Be especially sensitive to issues brought up
during the rider inventory.
A. Look for rocking of the hips from side to side. This indicates excessive leg extension.
B. Look for excessive back movement (“hopping up and down”), this may indicate too low a saddle
position.
C. Look for comments about knee pain - another indicator of improper saddle height..
D.Listen for comments about being cramped or over-stretched. This indicates the need for a stem or
frame size adjustment.
E. Listen for complaints about lower back and shoulder pain. These symptoms typically indicated a
position with handlebar height and reach as well as saddle angle.
The above comments just scratch the surface of possible conditions to address through the fitting
process. Only training and experience will provide you the tools to address the various issues and
kinds of issues.
The key is to adjust the rider’s position until he or she feels comfortable with their riding position
and otherwise show reasonable form.
Step 5: Record the measurements.
Once you and the rider establish the ideal fit, it is essential to record all the pertinent statistics as
a prelude to finalizing the sale. The following is a basic list:
A. Frame size and model:
B. Saddle height from the bottom bracket.
C. Stem length and rise.
D. Saddle position on the rails.
E. Saddle height over (or under) the bars.
F. Bar width.
G. Crank length.
