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THE BICYCLE |
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Measurements
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Physically we are all unique, with height, leg length, arm length, and trunk length as the principle variables to bear in mind on a bike when we are trying to improve our performance on it, as well as riding it more comfortably, which makes it crucial to be careful when choosing a bike and our position on it. There are various ways of knowing what frame size is best adapted to your physique, although they are not infallible. Furthermore you should bear in mind that once you have established your correct frame size and posture, you will need a short period of time to adapt to it. Without wishing to go into detail about the different methods and programs which exist with this objective in mind, I would like to give you some sort of idea about how to find your correct frame size. Later, by changing the saddle height and the length of the handlebars stem, which will change your position relative to the bike, you will be able to adapt to it perfectly.
* Owing to the different types of angles
which currently exist because of sloping frames, the height of the
top tube can vary. But to find out what your frame size is for this
kind of bicycle, the inside leg length is still fundamental. The
only thing which changes is the multiplication coefficent, which
will depend on the brand of frame.
Inside leg length = you should be barefoot when you make this measurement. Stand with your back touching a wall and make a chalk mark where the top of your inside leg is in contact with it. Then with a ruler you measure the distance between the mark and the ground. Trunk length = this is the distance between a new mark on the wall at you shoulder height (just where the joint is) and the top of your inside leg. Arm length = the distance from the shoulder height mark to a third point which you make with a chalk, holding it with your fist clenched. Although the frame is the essential part of the bike, itıs useful to bear in mind other characteristics which will also change depending on your physique. I am talking about:
Mountain bike sizes are smaller, because they need to be stiffer and respond better when steered in rough terrain, which means they are less aerodynamic and slower. The measurement which should be borne in mind is the height of the saddle, which is generally a couple of centimetres lower, permitting the rider to control the bike better. There are generally three standard frame sizes, which are not so adapted to specific measurements as road bikes. Then, the seatpost length and stem length are changed depending on the size of the rider. You should be aware that the angles of the different tubes that make up a frame vary a little from one brand to another. I am talking in very general terms here and discussing angles is always complicated, because the same bike manufacturer will use several. What I mean by this is that you should not get too worrried by these minor details, because you can often resolve any problems by simply adjusting the handlebars and the saddle. What is important is to have a bike which is basically adapted to your physique, and then itıs up to you to sort out the minor details in order to feel well suited to it, which you will do when you have found a balance between your position on the bike and your maximum power output. Orientation measurements of the biclycles
I'm going to finish by giving
you an example. Which concerns a famous figure in cycling,
Miguel Indurain. Miguel, when riding his time trial bike, was always
slightly less aerodynamic than he could have been, because he would
raise the handlebars a little. This was because if he was totally
doubled over the bike when he rode a time trial, he couldnıt use
all his power for pedalling, and he did not have the ideal conditions
for breathing, either
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