Questions? Text or Call

(352) 217-1673

Email: catonecoach@gmail.com

Bike Sizing

Are you shopping for a new road, mountain, triathlon, cyclocross, or time trial bike? Have you ever wondered what was the best way to identify which brand(s), model(s) and size bicycle(s) or frame(s) would fit you best? While one can take measurements from their existing bike, pull up bike size charts, geometry charts, etc. and attempt to make a somewhat educated guess, often the best way to make this determination is a size cycle fitting.

In the absence of an existing bike, or when switching from one style of bike to another, performing a sizing on a size cycle, fit bike, is the most efficient way to quickly find an efficient, comfortable, and powerful position. At Cat One Fitness, our size cycle fit process includes a comprehensive interview and assessment where rider goals, the intended use for the bike, history of injury, issues with existing bike, when applicable, flexibility, arch type, and assymmetry are identified. The rider’s saddle, pedals, and appropriately sized handlebar are attached to the size cycle, and a complete dynamic fitting is performed using a Retul motion capture system. At the conclusion of the fitting, measurements are taken from the fit bike using Retul’s “Zin” infrared LED wand, recording all relevant fit parameters to within 1mm accuracy. The Zin process identifies an ideal frame stack and frame reach. Stack and reach is basically the horizontal and vertical distance between the center of the bottom bracket and the center of the top of the head tube. Fortunately, most manufacturers include stack and reach on their geometry charts. Armed with that information, one can easily make an informed purchase and end up with a properly sized bike that they can enjoy for years.