Correct riding position is one of the main factors for successful riding. The rider's well-being, and his safety, and endurance, and, of course, the amount of pleasure received from the trip depends on it. In this article, we will look at all the factors that affect the correct fit, and also teach you how to properly sit on different types of bicycles.
This material is especially important to you if you, as a parent, are trying to teach your child to ride a bike. As they say, it's easy to teach - it's hard to retrain!
So let's figure out how to properly sit on a bike while riding, so as not to overload the knees and spine.
Factors Affecting Proper Fit
Correct fit on a mountain bike (as well as on city, road or children) depends on the following parameters:
- Seat height;
- Saddle position;
- Steering wheel location;
Let's take a closer look at the specifics of setting each factor.
How to calculate the correct seat height
There are several ways to determine the correct saddle height, which determines the correct position on the bike for a child and an adult.
"Heel method"
- Set the pedal flat and wide parallel to the floor, place your heel on it;
- Raise the saddle so that the leg is completely straight;
- In this case, the pelvis is located exactly, without outweighing towards the leg in question;
This is the simplest answer to the question "what is the correct position for a child on a bicycle." Unfortunately, the method is not ideal, since it does not take into account the individual aspects of the organism and the physiological characteristics of the body structure. However, for most novice riders it is quite passable.
«109%»
- Stand facing the wall, keep your legs and spine as straight as possible;
- Clamp the book between your legs, with the spine up, while the book should strongly rest against your groin (by analogy with the saddle, on which the rider presses with all his weight);
- Touch the wall with the spine of the book and mark this point;
- Measure the distance from the point to the floor;
- This is the optimum saddle height for the person in question. It is measured from the bottom of the pedal axis to the seat and is approximately 109% of the groin to floor distance. Check it out!
There are many techniques, charts, formulas, and tables for calculating the correct road bike fit. There is even a special device - a goniometer, which measures the knee angle at the bottom of the pedal revolution (the optimal angle is 25-35%). However, in practice, many trainers today use the "book" calculation method described above.
"Universal"
This is the simplest, "yard" way of calculating the correct saddle height for a bicycle.
- Sit on the bike and lean against a wall or any post;
- Place your heel on the pedal and set the latter to the lowest point of the stroke;
- The leg should be slightly bent at the knee joint;
- Most often, this height is quite enough for measured skiing in the city. If you are planning a long distance trip, it may be better to lower the saddle slightly.
Seat depending on seat position
So, we know how to calculate the correct seat height, now let's talk about its position.
Most often, this parameter is considered individually. Most importantly, at the stage of purchase, make sure that the saddle fits your, sorry, "pope". There are narrow seats, wide ones, hard ones, and soft ones. The assortment and variety will delight any buyer today. Try all saddles right in the store to find the most comfortable one.
Now, in fact, about the situation. Initially, the seat is always installed strictly horizontally to the ground. In the process of driving, you can adjust it to suit your most comfortable feeling.
Keep in mind, if you are interested in how to properly sit on a mountain bike (terrain with a large number of climbs), the nose of the seat is slightly lowered. If you ride more often in areas with a large number of descents, the saddle is slightly raised. For urban riding where flat surfaces prevail, the saddle can be positioned horizontally.
Correct fit depending on the position of the steering wheel
Handlebar geometry has a large effect on weight distribution when riding. For a correct fit on a city bike, the height of the handlebar plays a significant role, and it is set, as in the case of the saddle position, individually.
- Raising the handlebars high will put less stress on your hands, but you will also lose dexterity when handling. This option is not suitable for mountain biking, but ideal for riding in the city or on the highway;
- Lowering the handlebar low will tire your arms more, but your steering will be as sharp as possible. This option is preferred for mountain bikes or stunt bikes.
- Pay attention to the correct fit of the hands on the handlebars: the elbows are slightly bent (up to 140 °) and spread apart. The wrists are not twisted, looking neither backward nor downward nor forward.
Possible landing errors
Sometimes, even if you figured out how to sit and ride a mountain bike, and adjusted the saddle and handlebars correctly, you still feel uncomfortable. It happens, because every person is individual. Let's take a look at the most common symptoms:
- If your hands go numb, then your weight is shifting strongly forward;
- If your legs are numb, you have a very narrow saddle, which presses on the vessels;
- If your knees hurt, the seat is too low.
Why is the correct fit so important and what does it affect?
Of course, the health and comfort of the rider. Here is a list of reasons for maintaining a correct fit:
- The productivity and efficiency of riding depends on it, especially if you have to cover a long distance;
- Fit affects the health of your knee joints. Ask any professional cyclist, and he will confirm to you that it is the knees that lose health the fastest during intense riding;
- Improper sitting leads to rapid fatigue and loss of stamina;
- It also overloads the spine, lower back and neck.
- With the correct posture, you will breathe easily and evenly, get enough oxygen and never get out of breath.
- This means that the cardiovascular system will not be overloaded and your heart rate will always be in the comfort zone.
Next, we will talk about the features of the correct fit on bicycles of different types: mountain, road, city and children's.
Mountain bike landing
If you look at the correct fit on a mountain bike, as well as photos of the riders, you can see the low position of the handlebars. At the same time, the rider practically lies on the steering wheel with his chest. By the way, the saddle is located 5-10 cm above the handlebars.
This minimizes damage from air resistance and achieves the highest speed. This landing contributes to more acute control, the athlete moves more agile and aggressive. However, mountain skiing does not always mean high speeds.
So, the correct position of a cyclist on a mountain bike - the body is slightly tilted forward, the saddle is raised to the level of the handlebars (+/- 5 cm), the legs are straightened as much as possible when pedaling. The seat is best positioned horizontally.
Landing on a road bike
Now let's talk about the correct fit on a road bike - what should it be?
It is advisable to set the saddle at such a distance that the leg is slightly bent at an angle (109-degree method or universal). Set the saddle horizontally, and while riding, listen to your feelings - you may want to slightly raise or tilt your nose. Highway driving assumes a smooth and measured drive at a constant speed.
As a rule, on such a path you rarely encounter bumps and pits, so there is no point in greatly lowering the steering wheel, for agility in handling, there is no point. The most optimal handlebar height on a road bike is when the angle between shoulder and torso is approximately 90 °.
City bike landing
In the city, people drive calmly, measuredly, unhurriedly. They do not overcome obstacles on the ground, do not pass speed standards, do not strive to overcome a long distance. The characteristic difference between the seating position on a city bike is a straight back and a high position of the hands on the handlebars. In this case, the angle between the body and the ground is practically 90 °.
Thus, to ride a city bike, the handlebars must be raised above the seat by at least 10 cm, and the saddle height is adjusted using a universal method. It is advisable to set the seat position horizontally. The correct leg position when riding a city bike is slightly bent at the knee joint at the bottom of the pedal travel.
Correct fit on a children's bike
What should be the correct fit on a child's bike, let's discuss this topic as well. After all, the safety of the child on the road depends on it. Here are the main rules to follow:
- The height of the saddle should be such that the child can touch the surface with both feet (or socks) at any time;
- The distance from the top crossbar of the frame to the groin must not be less than 6 cm;
- The correct handlebar position on a child's bike is slightly higher than the seat, with the child's body leaning slightly forward.
When answering the question "how to properly ride a bicycle for a child", remember the main thing: a child's seat is always slightly higher than that of an adult, so that it is easier and more convenient for the baby to observe the road.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the importance of proper fit of an adult and a child on a bicycle. Think about your health, safety and comfort. Don't listen to a neighbor or an "experienced" friend - listen to your feelings. The body will not cheat! From your side, you just need to understand what this or that factor is responsible for, and adjust it to suit your individual characteristics.
