Physio BikeFit – Art or Science?

As Bikefit evolves it is important for the bike fitter and cycling injury manager to understand the relative validity and reliability of the measures used in bike fit. Further it is important to understand how these measures relate to performance and injury risk?

What is fact is that the numbers don’t tell the whole story. The evidence or lack there-of confirms this.  Hence it is good to understand the template-based methodology (Video or measure gives number). An example is the knee angle measure at bottom dead centre(BDC). This can be measured goniometrically or utilising video technology and ideal ranges are 25 to 35° goniometrically and 33 to 43° with 2D video.  In the bike fit one must also understand the clinical reasoning framework.

An example is the case of posterolateral knee pain in cycling. The goniometric ‘static measure’ as well as leg length to seat height calculations are within the allowable range. However the dynamic 2D video shows excessive dorsiflexion at peak power and an ‘over-straight’ knee at BDC. The pain is likely due to over-extension of the knee.

·      Is it a bike set-up problem?

·      Is this due to poor pedalling technique?

·      Is this a problem with calf weakness?

·      Could the cause of the aberrant technique have it’s source at the pelvis?

Want to know more?

Learn more at the Science of Cycling – Physio BikeFit course on 26 & 27 October 2019. Email courses@physiosports.com.au for a registration form.

* Bring your bikes and trainers to practice the set-up
* Significant practical component for assessment and rehabilitation exs
* Morning rides along the iconic beach road Saturday and Sunday