We fit you to the bike as much as the bike to you

The basis of a bike fitting assessment at Sport & Spinal Physiotherapy is to establish a position which enables you to cycle for a long time and frequently, whilst minimising the risk for injury. A large body of research indicates that bike set-up and pedaling technique can both significantly improve cycling performance and minimise the risk of repetitive strain injuries. A bike fit by a physiotherapist is optimal - we can fit your body to the bike as much as the bike to your body!

A bike fit with Sport & Spinal Physiotherapy can help cyclists and triathletes from Gungahlin, Canberra City, and the wider Canberra community who suffer from:
physio bike fitting Ben Henderson

  • Low back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Knee pain
  • Hip pain
  • Wrist pain
  • Lack of power

A bike fitting assessment at Sport & Spinal Physio entails an initial static biomechanical assessment to determine your flexibility, strength and alignment. We will explain to you the issues that need addressing and suggest strategies for correcting these problems, including prescribing exercises. To fully correct any biomechanical problems may require subsequent sessions.

After our initial biomechanical assessment, we then dynamically assess your riding position and pedaling technique.

Based on any biomechanical limitations, riding technique and your individual needs, we then fit the bike to you. It is important that any adjustments made to your bike geometry can be accommodated within your musculoskeletal abilities.

 

Why get a bike fit with us?

  • Shoes and Orthotics: Any foot dysfunction that leads to poor pedaling technique and possible injury can be corrected with appropriate cycling shoes recommended by our podiatrist, and with our custom-made orthotics.
  • Compensation shims: We can accommodate leg length discrepancies with flexible CNC machined compensation shims for road cyclists that suit most pedal types. We also provide our very own durable compensation shims for mountain bike shoes and cleats.
  • Experience: Our physiotherapists and podiatrists cycle for sport themselves and we have performed bike fitting assessments for many cyclists from Canberra, from World Cup stars to weekend warriors.
  • Knowledge: Our bike fitting physio has studied bike positioning, pedaling technique, cleat design and their relationship to knee and back pain whilst cycling as a research project at Sydney University.
  • Videography: We video your riding position before and after the bike fitting to ensure we have improved your position and your pedaling technique.
  • Pedaling Technique: We will improve your pedaling action by showing you proper technique along with some pedaling drills.
  • Frame fit: If we need to modify or change any existing parts to your bike, we have a close relationship with local bike shops that you can trial these parts to ensure your new position is comfortable and more efficient.
  • Report: We will provide a report to you in an easy to understand format - your static and dynamic biomechanical assessment findings; the correction strategies (including any prescriptive exercises) for any identified biomechanical problems; training programme recommendations; pedaling technique faults; and any recommended pedaling drills. Furthermore, your final ideal bike position geometry is measured and noted for you, meaning you may be able set yourself up on any new bikes you purchase in the future.

physio bike fittingBike Fitters for:

  • Ben Henderson
    - World Championship and World Cup representative
    - 2nd 2009 Australian National Cross Country Series
    - 2nd 2009 Australian National Short Track Series Overall
  • Dylan Cooper
    - 7 x World Championships representative
    - 2 x winner - Australian National Cross Country Series
    - 1 x winner - Australian National Marathon Series
    - 2 x winner - Capital Punishment Marathon
    - 2 x winner - Japan National Cross Country Series

What to bring?

  • Your bike in good mechanical order. Ensure all seat post and stem screws are rust free and can be easily loosened for any adjustments (if they are not, please exchange for new screws prior to your fitting).
  • Cycling shoes. Ensure that all cleat screws are clean and free of mud and dirt. Ensure that your cleats can be easily loosened and adjusted (if they are stiff try applying lubricants like WD-40 and then try to loosen).
  • Any orthotics (old and new)
  • Your normal cycling clothing and socks
  • Cycling knicks (note: shorts are better than bibs for our assessment and marking your boney landmarks)

Please attend to each of these items to allow as much time as possible to devote to you and your bike fit. Allow 2.5-3 hours for fitting one bike and 3-3.5 hours for fitting 2 bikes.

 

The final word:

So you’ve spent thousands of dollars getting the latest in bike technology, why not spent a bit extra and improve your comfort, power and pedaling efficiency with a professional bike assessment at Sport & Spinal Physio. Take a proactive approach to training and get fitted with us to keep you on the bike and off our treatment tables.

Australian cycling coaches often say the most important advice for an up and coming junior is not the hours they spend on the bike, but rather getting a real feeling for the pedal-stroke and their body position on the bike. This is why not always the fittest rider wins but rather the cyclist that is more efficient. Pedaling is a skill, just like a forehand in tennis. So get yourself set up on the bike in an ideal position and learn the proper pedaling action by having a bike assessment at Sport & Spinal Physiotherapy.

Bike fitting should be an ongoing process because as you train, your body will adapt and you may find that your ‘perfect position’ changes from year to year.

BEN HENDERSON (2010):“I have been an elite level mountain biker since 2005 representing Australia at World Cup level. It was suggested I go to Sport & Spinal Physio and I highly recommend them for their unique approach to bike fitting, performance and cycling-related injuries. I was given an extremely comprehensive bike fit assessment, which included detection and correction of my leg length difference and the implementation of orthotics to refine my pedal stroke. Additional changes were made to my bike position to enhance both my comfort and performance on the bike. This also helped me to better utilise some previously dormant muscles, increasing my power and efficiency. Further to the bike fit, I was also given a program of exercises to further improve my cycling mechanics. In whole, their understanding of bike position and cycling has ultimately led to enhanced performance."

DYLAN COOPER (2014): "The guys at Sport and Spinal Physio were top class in their bike fit and orthotics set up. I've had biomechanists at the AIS do bike fits and they weren't this thorough. The effort they went to during and post fit in order to get things just right was amazing. I now feel comfortable and more efficient on the bike. But the best part for me was having cleat adjustments and orthotics tailor made to correct issues that have been giving me terrible pain for over 12 years. Finally resolved! Whether you're a recreational rider or top level elite racer I highly recommend these guys for road or mountain bike fits and any cycling related injuries."