Leonard Barnes is like many newcomers to cycling. The 40-year-old wanted to get more serious about fitness, so he set out to buy a good, entry-level road bike.
“The first question I asked was what kind of riding he wanted to do,” said Greg Hodges, the salesman at Revolution Bicycles in St. Petersburg, Fla., who helped Barnes with his purchase. “Once I figured out that he wanted to get out and do some serious riding, that put him in another category.”
Specialty cycling stores want to make sure they sell you the “proper fit,” both figuratively and literally.
“You wouldn’t buy a hybrid if you want to go trail-riding,” Hodges said. “And you wouldn’t buy a mountain bike if you were planning on running triathlons.”
Road bikes come in a variety of frame sizes, the most common being 54 and 56 centimeters. But even after you find the right size frame, there are still a half-dozen adjustments that can be made to the seat, handlebars and pedals to make sure it suits your body type.
So Barnes bought his bike, customized it and took it for a ride. Then the real work began.
Barnes, who rides about 25 miles five days a week, spent about $1,000 on his aluminum-frame Specialized Allez. The bike company, one of the largest in the United States, has a program for customers, designed to make them stronger, more efficient, faster riders.
Literature for the BG FIT system boasts that it is “proven to boost your power output by 10 percent.” For a cyclist used to riding 20 mph at the middle of the pack on a Saturday-morning ride, the extra 2 mph could put him out in front with the leaders.
The system uses a series of precise measurements, videotaped cycling sessions and proprietary software to analyze a rider’s biomechanical profile.
If that sounds elaborate for a newcomer to the sport, think again.
“Leonard is the perfect person for something like this,” Hodges explained. “He is new to the sport, so he has no old habits to break.”
Before Hodges began his analysis, he did a detailed interview with Barnes and discussed his medical and athletic history, including some old football injuries and a back injury.
Hodges also puts his clients on a massage table and checks their flexibility. “We can really tweak the bike based on your body type,” he said.
The basic BG FIT, which includes saddle and handlebar adjustment, takes about 15 minutes. A more comprehensive exam, which includes a “dynamic” or pedaling analysis, takes about 45 minutes. The advanced BG FIT covers everything from the flexibility assessment to hip, knee and foot alignment. Prices range from $60 to $180. Bike shops around the Washington area also offer bike fittings, from basic to advanced.
“A lot of people don’t give much thought to how they ride,” Hodges said. “But body position makes a huge difference in both how effective and how comfortable you are.”
Which could mean the difference between a new fitness passion and another dust-catcher in the garage.
Bike safety tips
» Find the right bike: If you plan on racing in triathlons or road races, buy a traditional road bike. If you want to head off-road, get a mountain bike. If you plan to stick to paved trails and your neighborhood, a hybrid is the best choice.
» Gear up: You need a helmet. No excuses. A good pair of cycling gloves will reduce the wear and tear on your hands. Cycling shorts will make you more comfortable.
» Learn the rules of the road: Whenever possible, ride on paved bike paths, and in the same direction as traffic. Bicycles must obey all traffic laws. If you are in a group, ride in single file when possible and never more than two abreast.
» Start slow: Remember to start easy. Try riding for a half-hour three times a week, and then gradually increase your time and/or distance by no more than 10 percent per week. If you are looking for maximum cardiovascular benefits, try riding with a heart-rate monitor.
