THE BIKEFIT PROCESS

​RIDER INTAKE FORM

Before your bike fit, you’ll complete a detailed rider intake form. This covers your general health, cycling goals, and experience, and provides the information I need to understand how your body functions and what may be contributing to your issues on the bike.

Depending on age and life history, this typically takes around 10–20 minutes to complete.

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CLEAT POSITION & SHIM STACK (IF REQUIRED)

Cleat position is assessed in terms of fore–aft position, lateral position, and float.

I don’t use generic methods such as placing the ball of the foot over the pedal axle (BOFPA). Cleat position is set individually and takes into account the type of riding you do, the distances involved, the quality and fit of the shoe, the pedal system, pedalling technique and any relevant injury history.

Once cleat position is established, I assess whether a shim stack is required to account for a measurable leg length difference or a functional leg length difference. Where necessary, this is installed at the cleat to account for the difference and help improve overall functional symmetry whilst riding.

FOOT CORRECTION

Foot correction consists of the use of appropriate cycling-specific insoles or orthotics (where required), combined with precise wedging or canting of the foot. The aim is to improve the neural feedback loop between the feet and the brain, resulting in improved foot stability, better biomechanics, improved muscle facilitation, and reduced compensations. These changes increase efficiency and reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Insoles designed for walking or running are not appropriate for use in cycling shoes.

The foot correction method I use is a patented system developed by Steve Hogg. It is not guesswork and it is not based on visual assessment alone. The protocol allows me to determine the exact amount of arch support and the correct amount, type and location of wedging required for each individual.

Wedging may be applied:

• inside the shoe under the forefoot

• between the cleat and the shoe sole

• under the heel inside the shoe

When done incorrectly, foot correction can create more problems than it solves. When done correctly, it improves stability, reduces unnecessary compensations, improves muscle recruitment, increases efficiency, and reduces the risk of overuse injuries.

A well-fitting, stiff-soled cycling shoe makes a significant difference to how effective this process is.

If you are unsure about shoe selection or fit, a dedicated shoe fit can be booked here.

SADDLE HEIGHT & SADDLE SETBACK

Saddle height is not set using formulas, joint angles, or predefined ranges. It is set to within a very small tolerance (+/- 1.5mm) based on visual and functional cues. 

There are too many interacting variables in bike fitting for formula-based approaches to work reliably.

Saddle setback is not set using knee-over-pedal-spindle (KOPS) or similar reference methods. Plumb lines and lasers are not used.

Setback plays a key role in balancing the rider on the bike. It influences how weight is distributed between the saddle, pedals, and handlebars, as well as how effectively the rider can generate force through the pedals.

The aim is to achieve a discipline-dependent position where the rider is balanced, stable, and able to produce power efficiently without excessive tension or compensation.

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REACH & DROP TO THE HANDLEBARS

Bar position includes bar height, width, angle, reach and hood/shifter placement. Once again, this is a parameter of fit that is individually variable and is influenced by limb length, flexibility, mobility, and the demands of the rider’s chosen discipline. 

Handlebar position should not compromise efficiency, stability, symmetry or control of the bike. 

THE FOLLOW UP

A follow-up appointment is available if required and can be requested as part of your Rider Feedback survey 3 weeks after your bike fit. 

The most common reason for a follow-up is adaptation. When a rider is moving from a very poor position to a much better one, the body often needs time to adapt neurologically and physically. In these cases, changes may be introduced gradually over more than one session to allow the rider to adapt and change over time. 

In other cases, a rider may simply need a small refinement once they’ve spent time riding in the new position, for example due to pedalling technique changing over time due to improved cleat position and the implementation of proper foot correction.  

Where required, follow-ups must be arranged within six weeks of the original fit.

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BIKE FITTING FOR TT, TRI, CX, MTB, TOURING & TRACK

Different cycling disciplines place very different demands on the rider.

There is no single fitting template that applies across all forms of cycling.

Regardless of discipline, the same underlying principles apply: stability, balance, efficiency, control, and reduced injury risk. The fit is adapted to meet the specific demands of your riding while working within those principles.

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