Desi I don't enjoy hybrids or MTB so it's not really a tip tbh. Emma is the same height as me and she's a roadie champion. I meant it was helpful in understanding how to make my bike more comfortable as it's not hard to find a women's bike for my size
Kim hi Kim I’m glad this is helpful - I know how frustrating it can be to try to find a bike to fit as a person our size! I do recommend trying 650b or 650c wheel size road bikes.
We love Emma! An accomplished pro with not a hint of arrogance - a natural and engaging commentary that fits with amateur bike riders and bike nerds alike! A really great addition to the GCN team. Keep the videos coming Emma!
Considering this exposes Emma to public scrutiny in terms of her slight physical imperfections ( who is perfect after all?) I think its very brave of her to do this. She couldn't do it without such a good sense of humour. For a former pro I find Emma very down to earth and easy to relate to.
Well said! I don't know anything about the pro-athlete world, but 5 mm of difference in leg length is nothing for ordinary people. This is a very very common thing and I guess if the phd doctor found this so surprising, it must be a big deal specifically in the top tier athletes pool..
Yes bike fit totally got rid of back pain and changed how I ride . Went from 172.5 mm cranks to 165 mm , narrower handle bars , and totally different seat . Totally worth every penny I spent .
A bikefit was key to get me back into cycling. Started off last year and got injured on my left knee during a sportive. Had issues with my knee for 6 months and couldn't ride further than 10 kms without pain. Orthos even wanted to operate my left knee, but once I got the bikefit done and I was provided with insoles against pronation of my left foot, I was able to return to my usual 250 km/week immediately. So anyone experiencing pain on the bike definitely should go for this, can't stress how thankful I am.
ToCGambler I’m sorry and I I understand the pain you went through as I have been through similar things, but you sound like a dodgy American infomercial
Lol yeah. Usually I'm not the person to advertise for something.. But in this case I hesitated way too long because of the high price that is associated with it, so that's directed towards those that are hesitating as well and are facing the same issues as I did. I'm so positive about this because this was pretty much like a magic trick, for my condition that is at least, and I wanted to share that. Next time I'll ask the company that did it for money in exchange lol
I understand why Emma did this. The most important competition is near and it is not about money. It is about pride and I will keep my thumbs for you Emma! I want you do a thing for me Emma. win! Emma win!
All the people on this video’s comments area that are virtually screaming at Emma to eschew this bad quasi-medical advice are correct. Emma is getting very bad advice from this center/guy. Bad podiatric, bad osteopathic, and bad medical advice in general. I hope she gets her back/hips issue addressed, as it is extremely obvious when she walks or rides that she needs proper rehab and appliances to allow her to then adjust the bike to optimize her position. It is all too common for some of these types of centers to try to treat injuries and related disfunction by skewing the bike to force her body into compensatory misalignment/realignment. He is not even addressing, or noticing, her real problem- and is instead, incorrectly asserting that her 4mm leg length differential is unusually large- and is the cause of her issues. 4mm, which he claims is big (although impossible to measure accurately the way he does it)is actually very small (lower 10%), as most women average around 0.4” (about 10.5mm). The AAOS, and many sports med research centers and peer-reviewed research is in dramatic conflict with both his measurement approach, and his recommendation based on a supposed 4mm result. He is wrong by almost a factor of 10- even if he could accurately measure the way he is doing it (you can’t, as any good osteopath or chiropractor who is not trying to scare-up business will tell you). He is incorrectly compensating for her injury-related auto-compensation, which is indicative of a problem that needs to be addressed prior to any fine tuning bike adjustments. Gross bike adjustments used to compensate unilaterally for physical injury induced or related disfunction is bad medicine. That is what sportothotics and other appliances and therapy are for, and are often combined with specifically designed rehab programs for optimal post-injury recovery. Otherwise, he is setting her up for a dramatically shortened biking career filled with unnecessary pain and significantly increased likelihood of surgeries that could have been avoided. He will just be adding stress to her hips and knee - and very likely other elements along her kinesthetic chain. Very bad advice, but not atypical from a center specializing in selling a single solution set, rather than practicing sports medicine plus offering a broader range of sub-specialties.
Interesting point you make. If her leg length difference was indeed significant, wouldn't she need some kind of orthopedic inserts or differential shoe hight for riding a bike? If his measurement of the leg length was correct, by increasing the seat hight he is simply forcing her to put more strain on the hip of the shorter leg and cause more rocking of the hips side to side. She was already quite capable of adopting areo position with the previous saddle hight, why increase it? Also at 9:45 he talks about high value of the "knee extension" and when she says its "to flexed" he agrees. WTF? If he meant "knee forward of foot" value - that would make sense. But when you say "knee extension" its the one in red and when her foot is down. To me her leg is even too much extended, so increasing the seat post hight makes this value even worse. Why didn't he bring her back on the sensor machine after adjustment has been made to see improvements? Why he is not talking about stem length and tilt, frame geometry? Like those are unimportant? What about her clinical history? Did he even bother to look the X-rays of her sacrum fracture pre- and post surgery? It all looks quite sketchy to me.
So called "broader point" is just a nutjob's excuse to molest people with their paranoid convictions, while contributing zero to the actual discussion. Get off the videos about cycling and internet altoghether and get a job with ANTIFA. Surely you won't profit from it so it would be plain right for you commie.
That motion capture fitting set-up is remarkable. I liked how the fit started with the physiological assessment, before going anywhere near the fitting jig.
The sensors that showed how much force is where on the pedals, was amazing technology.. The whole process starting at the beginning with checking the riders anatomy etc. was thorough. I had no idea so much was involved for a bike fit. Thank you for a great video.
This is a really helpful video. I also have a trek emonda and i am 147 cm tall so I wonder what the size of Emma's bike frame is. After watching this video i surely need to make a few adjustments with my saddle height and cleats shoes :)
I thought that I was going to learn about just bike fitting from this video.But, I really learned about how to be humble from Emma as well. She really did a great job.
One of the best GCN videos I've seen yet. I've never had a professional bike fit, but this is really enticing me to do so. I would have liked to see more of the exact "corrections: that were made to Emma's bike after the fit. Maybe her thoughts after a decent ride post-adjustment as well.
Only if the longer leg length is offset by the number, gender (left or right ) and severity of a road curve .If there is a serious disparity then a lead wieght must be incorporated into the cleat to offset the obvious advantage. It's a bit like having a hamster run round a wheel, if you don't make sure it does runs with the axle on the left or right equaling out eventually it starts to walk in a circle. Hope that clears that up.
Its nice to hear that Emma's set her sights high this year - really looking forward to the Presenters Challange now. Also - thats got to be one of the most amazingly interesting video's GCN's ever made and the geek edition is....
Any chance that Emma can come back to this fit and its results later on after she's acclimatised to the changes it makes, only we get to see other fits but never hear from the person how they feel its effected their cycling long term.
I've just got a bike fit myself and cycled the island of Arran yesterday and honestly I felt amazing after it. I could of kept going couldn't believe it
I recently had a professional bike fit. I can't begin to describe the advantages that accompany a good bike fit. Afterward my power and speed were dramatically enhanced. Surprisingly for me after the lift my bike become far more stable. Don't hesitate to have a professional bike fit.
Global Cycling Network I have indeed had a bike fit - at WyndyMilla - although that was more of an old-school session with an experienced fitter who went by eye/experience than computer based. The results were astonishing - I cycled home feeling like I was flying a few feet above the road surface. The fit was so good, the bike kind of almost disappeared - it became part of me. Hence I’m a huge fan of a good bike fit and side with the many people who describe it as “the best money I’ve spent on anything cycling related”.
That was fascinating. As a shorter rider myself I understand the desire to want to shorten your seatpost length to try and maximise power output - and I suffer from ITB issues as a result. This has made me realise that I also need a bikefit, so thanks for the info GCN; very helpful, as always.
Thank you for an excellent and helpful video. I have been riding for a couple of years and am still struggling for the correct fit. Now I've finally scheduled a bike fitting with a certified fitter and am looking forward to the advice she will give. This video gets a big thumbs up from me!
What a great video and thank you Emma for putting yourself out there. It would be great if within two to four weeks you would revisit this subject and let everyone know if your new position improved your cycling experience. Thanks again!
I rode 50-75 miles per week for around 8 years. Haven't been on the bike in over 4 years. Decided recently to dust off the bike this coming Spring and found GCN videos to entertain and refresh me through the winter. I have no idea why I loved this video as much as I did. This could've been a 2 hour video and I would not have minded.
Another great video from Emma. Really interesting and explained some of the mysteries of bike fitting. Emma gets more and more relaxed with every video. Keep em coming guys.
Good luck with your goal of winning the GCN presenter challenge. You have the fitness and determination to win. To be absolutely sure of winning, practise telling your left from right, it will help you if there is a navigational element and you will be able to put your GCN socks on the correct way round. Win win!
Emma did an awesome job here and did herself well to get the bike fit and adjustments made ! I miss Emma on the channel !! A very down to earth and very likable presenter !!
Thats pretty amazing stuff.. I recently just adjusted my saddle height a smidge and was surprised at how just about 3-4 mm made a huge difference in fatigue level ! Love your videos , and the knowledge you share. A+ !
Great Video Emma. coincidentally i just did my bike fit on Saturday (Specialized Retul) and it was very similar to this. I had to get a new wider seat, change the position of my seat and i have new insoles to compensate for the high arches. I was also told my left leg is 4mm longer than my right, which can also be compensated for using cleats. It would be great if you could do a follow up video in 6 weeks time, so you can say how you feel about the new position.
Most leg length "differences" are cause by a problem in the pelvis angle, not leg length. (Less than 5% have actual leg length differences). The fact she also mentioned breaking her sacrum quite recently could also be the cause of this. Handle the pelvic muscular imbalance and this should get resolved.
This was very interesting. Its always something i'm wondering about. Gonna start by checking the forward/aft of my cleats and the guys recommendation of pedal axle alignment.
The leg length discrepancy test is suspect. Typically x-ray and bone measurements are used to determine this. Functional leg length discrepancy could be caused by your rotated hip. I would avoid shimming the shoes to different heights until confirmed. If it is true you are in good company, Eddy Merckx has one too.
My bike fit identified a similar problem and had shims and wedges fitted but they created a tendonitis that meant I couldn't walk for two weeks! Make any adjustments gradually!
@@rkitson9436 You couldn't walk as you the shimming changed the way tension is balanced in your body. Our bodies are best viewed as tensity objects (similar to a wheel, structural strength comes form tension in this case soft tissue over bones, as opposed to tension in spokes). Shimming changes that distribution of tension, which lead to overuse and tendinitis. I am personally view shimming as a last resort rather than a first step. Often you can develop tight connective tissue through habits (e.g, sitting) that can present as functional issues. In this case slowly releasing the tight connective tissue resets the balance of tension in the body and may resolve these fit issues. Soft-tissue change have to be done very slowly (weeks) so the body can properly adapt. Connective tissues takes much longer to adapt relative muscular adaptation. This is why suddenly jumping into new exercise program can bring tendonitis, as the connective tissue hasn't had time to sufficiently adapt to support the forces in the new exercise.
As a short rider myself, I found this a really interesting video. I'd like to know what size cranks Emma had on her fabulous Edmonda and were the wheels 650c or bs?
Note for small riders: Campy brake hoods make for much shorter reach than Shimano, a cm at least. The concept of adapting to a new position: I felt so strongly that my MTB cleats were too far back that I moved them forward more than a cm the night before a ten-hour marathon off-road ride, then drove six hours home. Age fifty. No aftereffects, and the cleats have stayed in that setup for 15 years since. So much for the concept.
Neil : Any particular objectives that you have for this bike fit? Emma : I really, really want to win GCN presenter challenge. Neil : I can imagine that...who doesn't... lmao
Great Video, love the technology!! Say, but can you discuss Cleat Wedges, in particular for riders like Emma and me who have a significantly longer left-leg ? I dropped out of racing because of a knee injury, and I believe it was due to improper shoes. Knowing now it was wedges that could have prevented the injury. Please provide a follow-up with Emma on Cleat Wedges and benefits to prevent injuries and leg pain. thank you Tom
There are so many incorrect statements and bad advice in this video that it is difficult to know where to start. In any event, the average leg length disparity for men is actually about 0.6”, and for women it is about 0.4”, based on numerous studies, AAOS, US military and other sources. That is about 15mm and 10mm respectively- or 300-400% what Emma’s R/L leg length disparity measures according to him. It is generally considered, and confirmed by numerous sports med studies that anything above 4% or roughly 5cm (That is cm, not mm) may cause gate anomalies, etc. So, 4mm (what he said her disparity is) is very much at the low end of typical anomalies. Next, you cannot accurately determine leg length by that method he used. There are numerous lower back and hip alignment issues. For example, typically left/right gluteal size disparities alone will typically shift apparent leg length by several percent (no actual length), as well as soft, connective and related tissue factors- all of which have to be considered when determining limb length to get an accurate measurement. The accuracy of his measurements are further complicated by the poor method he used, based on a contraction, flexion and pull, sometimes employed by chiropractors trying to cause or exaggerate apparent disparities. Emma has a very obvious gate issue, which requires orthotics to address. That should be done first (before adjusting her bike) in any event, and will not only help her when walking, but will also allow accurate determination of her optimal bike adjustments and physical positioning. Also, it will help to address her right leg down-stroke compensation issues that are quite visible, and got worse when her bike was adjusted. Also, her seat is tilted currently to compensate for the fact that it needs to be front-back adjusted (actual measurements need to be taken POST orthotics). You are currently compensating for that via set and pedal offsets, which is why the adjustments he made feel weirder than they would otherwise. Your compensation will continue until you address your underlying biomechanical issues. Finally, do you do any quad extension or related exercises? If so, you need to do more, if not- add quad extensions to your exercise routine, as you have a very obvious, significant posterior strength bias (hamstrings vs quadriceps). Doing just a few sets per week will make a huge difference in your riding, and will help to eliminate your drag on your upstroke. It will also, and most importantly, dramatically reduce the likelihood of knee degeneration, which your stroke shows you are currently beginning to create. Take care of your biomechanical issues first, and then address your fit and positioning. You will enjoy your biking and any other sports more, improve your performance and dramatically reduce long term biomechanical related stress-related injury potential.
Andrew Denis - you are so correct mr Denis. It may be that this guy was not trained properly. I have been to several top Cat 1/ professional sports med training centers from Switzerland and Germany to the US and UK. They had tons of granite down to isolate and measure stride, bio-alignment and related problems and advanced USW lasers. This is maybe high tech compared to Dr. Scholl’s self-serve, but his methods, advice and approach are bad, and not based on and leading edge approaches I have ever seen. The last one i went to in Zermatt used advanced AI driven virtual reality. I was able to take over 10% off my times and greatly reduced my recovery times. She has very obvious alignment issues- you can see it. He is ignoring them and trying to compensate by skewing her extension. Look at how his adjustments made her over pronation much worse. Emma- he is going to screw you up badly. You need to go to a top center and get the necessary appliances made to address your physical body problems.
EMMA - DO NOT FOLLOW THIS BIKE FITTERS ADVICE! Dennis and others are completely correct. You need to see a real sports med orthopod and correct your mech issues. I do not see any orthotics or other appliances that you badly need. It will improve your performance ad keep you from crippling yourself before you turn 50. This type of place can really mess you up if you don’t fix your issues first. It’s like treating the sy,ptoms rather than the disease. It is so obvious in how you move that you are trying to compensate for some bad injuries you have had.
whyyesca - thanks to Whyatt and all of you who recognize what i’m trying to tell Emma is critically important for her body to avoid becoming crippled. This type of advice, with measurements and recommendations that are over an order of magnitude off, can do major damage to someone who rides as much and as hard as Emma does. I just hope Emma sees our plea to her to avoid following this bad advice. There are plenty of top centers that can help her- and expect that some may even waive their fees to help her and increase. Awareness of the importance of properly dealing wit the underlying medical/physiological issues first. I HOPE YOU SEE AND FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF THOSE TRYING TO HELP YOU EMMA. RESEARCH/FIND AND GO TO A REAL SPORTS MED GROUP THAT WILL ADDRESS YOU PHYSIO ISSUES FIRST, INSTEAD OF JUST TRYING TO ADAPT THE BIKE TO YOUR PHYSICAL INJURIES AND RESULTING PROBLEMS. A side benefit is you will enjoy biking a lot more and go faster, easier and with enhanced recovery time (and you won’t be racked with arthritic and related pain by your 50’s - Bonus! )
Following a bike fit that in hindsight set me too high I was plagued with saddle sores in one area cos I was jammed in one position with all pressure on one side prob due to leg length difference, better to err slightly low (2-3mm say) to allow micro movements and take pressure off one particular area. Never see that mentioned in a ‘bike fit’.
WAIT EMMA WAS IN MY AREA AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME! This will not be forgiven! Also, the bike fitter has an awesome first name. With a name like that you know you have a talented and just all round great guy helping you.
Totally awesome clip! I have a question Emma; didn't you have an "anti-fit" just, and literally just, before a major TT competition you took part in when the judges made you readjust your bike as it was outside their dimension limits? How did that feel regarding your position and concentración (!) when you set off?
Will be looking for a follow up video on how she adjusts to the new position.....Had a bike fit 10 years ago (and 2+ follow ups since then), and every time I go more comfortable, efficient and faster. Highly recommend spending the money.
I have been considering a bike fit for myself and was wondering what the process entailed, what parameters might be measured and how precise it is. I'm sure this is a bit more advanced of a fitter than I will find locally but I suspect the fundamentals are the same. I had thought that the process might be a bit of an unnecessary upsell, but the video shows me that it will be of some significant value to increase comfort and to avoid injury. There are other bike fit videos available, but even in a quasi-promotional segment, GCN has earned my trust over some random youtube star promotion.
To be clear, I am not a pro or anything more than a health motivated cyclist, but GCNs (and others) content have made me take my cycling fare more seriously than before, adding value to my time on the bike.
This was fascinating and showed that there is so much more to a good bike fit. Highlighted as we get older to have a comprehensive bike fit every few years as our bodies change. Thanks Emma. By the way, what about the differences in your leg length, did you need to put a shim under your cleat on the short leg?
very nice and interesting use of technology. Like most old heads we went off leg length and plumb line on roller/trainer to dial in. Worked fine for me racing as long as Ema but this type of technology would have been awesome and great to have for the cycling community.
Some, not all, but some of the elements mentioned like muscle tightness, flexibility, etc. can change over time. I get that our bone structure, length, height will not but some other aspects mentioned. Anyway, good to have a bike fit to avoid injuries and simply flow better. But very few places offer that level of adjustments!
Thanks for the video! I have a leg length issue. One is longer than the other. Should my saddle height be adjusted for my longer leg, shorter leg, or somewhere in between?
Hi Emma Pooley I also have one leg longer than the other by quite a difference. I did not hear in the video of how you overcome this or make it less damaging to your body. Are different left and right crank arms an option or is it stack height in the shoes? Very interested to know more.
As a short (157cm), female cyclist you can't even begin to understand how much I appreciate this! Thank you
you have to go for teenager-sized hybrids/ MTB. My tip.
Desi I don't enjoy hybrids or MTB so it's not really a tip tbh. Emma is the same height as me and she's a roadie champion. I meant it was helpful in understanding how to make my bike more comfortable as it's not hard to find a women's bike for my size
It’s good that the industry is added smaller sized bikes such as canyon
Cheers Kim, glad you found the video useful!
Kim hi Kim I’m glad this is helpful - I know how frustrating it can be to try to find a bike to fit as a person our size! I do recommend trying 650b or 650c wheel size road bikes.
We love Emma! An accomplished pro with not a hint of arrogance - a natural and engaging commentary that fits with amateur bike riders and bike nerds alike! A really great addition to the GCN team. Keep the videos coming Emma!
Considering this exposes Emma to public scrutiny in terms of her slight physical imperfections ( who is perfect after all?) I think its very brave of her to do this. She couldn't do it without such a good sense of humour.
For a former pro I find Emma very down to earth and easy to relate to.
Geoff Baker Emma shows that in taking on athletic endurance event you don't have to be perfect.
l wonder how much she improved her performance.
Well said! I don't know anything about the pro-athlete world, but 5 mm of difference in leg length is nothing for ordinary people. This is a very very common thing and I guess if the phd doctor found this so surprising, it must be a big deal specifically in the top tier athletes pool..
Why is it brave? Pros are human too.
Yes bike fit totally got rid of back pain and changed how I ride . Went from 172.5 mm cranks to 165 mm , narrower handle bars , and totally different seat . Totally worth every penny I spent .
A bikefit was key to get me back into cycling. Started off last year and got injured on my left knee during a sportive. Had issues with my knee for 6 months and couldn't ride further than 10 kms without pain. Orthos even wanted to operate my left knee, but once I got the bikefit done and I was provided with insoles against pronation of my left foot, I was able to return to my usual 250 km/week immediately. So anyone experiencing pain on the bike definitely should go for this, can't stress how thankful I am.
That's pretty remarkable! Glad you got it done.
ToCGambler I’m sorry and I I understand the pain you went through as I have been through similar things, but you sound like a dodgy American infomercial
Lol yeah. Usually I'm not the person to advertise for something.. But in this case I hesitated way too long because of the high price that is associated with it, so that's directed towards those that are hesitating as well and are facing the same issues as I did. I'm so positive about this because this was pretty much like a magic trick, for my condition that is at least, and I wanted to share that. Next time I'll ask the company that did it for money in exchange lol
I understand why Emma did this. The most important competition is near and it is not about money. It is about pride and I will keep my thumbs for you Emma! I want you do a thing for me Emma. win! Emma win!
Haha, cheers Petinka!
All the people on this video’s comments area that are virtually screaming at Emma to eschew this bad quasi-medical advice are correct. Emma is getting very bad advice from this center/guy. Bad podiatric, bad osteopathic, and bad medical advice in general. I hope she gets her back/hips issue addressed, as it is extremely obvious when she walks or rides that she needs proper rehab and appliances to allow her to then adjust the bike to optimize her position. It is all too common for some of these types of centers to try to treat injuries and related disfunction by skewing the bike to force her body into compensatory misalignment/realignment. He is not even addressing, or noticing, her real problem- and is instead, incorrectly asserting that her 4mm leg length differential is unusually large- and is the cause of her issues. 4mm, which he claims is big (although impossible to measure accurately the way he does it)is actually very small (lower 10%), as most women average around 0.4” (about 10.5mm).
The AAOS, and many sports med research centers and peer-reviewed research is in dramatic conflict with both his measurement approach, and his recommendation based on a supposed 4mm result. He is wrong by almost a factor of 10- even if he could accurately measure the way he is doing it (you can’t, as any good osteopath or chiropractor who is not trying to scare-up business will tell you). He is incorrectly compensating for her injury-related auto-compensation, which is indicative of a problem that needs to be addressed prior to any fine tuning bike adjustments. Gross bike adjustments used to compensate unilaterally for physical injury induced or related disfunction is bad medicine. That is what sportothotics and other appliances and therapy are for, and are often combined with specifically designed rehab programs for optimal post-injury recovery. Otherwise, he is setting her up for a dramatically shortened biking career filled with unnecessary pain and significantly increased likelihood of surgeries that could have been avoided. He will just be adding stress to her hips and knee - and very likely other elements along her kinesthetic chain.
Very bad advice, but not atypical from a center specializing in selling a single solution set, rather than practicing sports medicine plus offering a broader range of sub-specialties.
Interesting point you make. If her leg length difference was indeed significant, wouldn't she need some kind of orthopedic inserts or differential shoe hight for riding a bike? If his measurement of the leg length was correct, by increasing the seat hight he is simply forcing her to put more strain on the hip of the shorter leg and cause more rocking of the hips side to side. She was already quite capable of adopting areo position with the previous saddle hight, why increase it? Also at 9:45 he talks about high value of the "knee extension" and when she says its "to flexed" he agrees. WTF? If he meant "knee forward of foot" value - that would make sense. But when you say "knee extension" its the one in red and when her foot is down. To me her leg is even too much extended, so increasing the seat post hight makes this value even worse. Why didn't he bring her back on the sensor machine after adjustment has been made to see improvements? Why he is not talking about stem length and tilt, frame geometry? Like those are unimportant? What about her clinical history? Did he even bother to look the X-rays of her sacrum fracture pre- and post surgery? It all looks quite sketchy to me.
So called "broader point" is just a nutjob's excuse to molest people with their paranoid convictions, while contributing zero to the actual discussion. Get off the videos about cycling and internet altoghether and get a job with ANTIFA. Surely you won't profit from it so it would be plain right for you commie.
Emma needs to see Dr Rahim, a Gonsted practioner. He'll sort her out.
There is something about Emma, a high class person
Cheers Darren!
That motion capture fitting set-up is remarkable. I liked how the fit started with the physiological assessment, before going anywhere near the fitting jig.
The sensors that showed how much force is where on the pedals, was amazing technology.. The whole process starting at the beginning with checking the riders anatomy etc. was thorough. I had no idea so much was involved for a bike fit. Thank you for a great video.
This is a really helpful video. I also have a trek emonda and i am 147 cm tall so I wonder what the size of Emma's bike frame is. After watching this video i surely need to make a few adjustments with my saddle height and cleats shoes :)
This video needs a post fit review to get Emma’s opinion on the outcome of the fit.
I thought that I was going to learn about just bike fitting from this video.But, I really learned about how to be humble from Emma as well. She really did a great job.
We need more of Emma on GCN! Haven’t see her in a while.
She has left GCN, sad news indeed.
Michał Włodarkiewicz Sad to hear that! Thanks for the update.
Excellent video! You really shined with this one Emma. If anyone had their doubts, this video should've erased them. Great job!
Such a great video. Informative and scientific. Thanks GCN, and Emma! Just brilliant...
Cheers Senna, glad you enjoyed it. Check out the Geek Edition for a closer look on GCN Tech too!
Was waiting for something like this, as a small rider myself this helps thanks 👌🏼
Dominic Sarmen glad to hear it!
One of the best GCN videos I've seen yet. I've never had a professional bike fit, but this is really enticing me to do so. I would have liked to see more of the exact "corrections: that were made to Emma's bike after the fit. Maybe her thoughts after a decent ride post-adjustment as well.
Same
My bike fit was the best money I've ever spent on my bike. Noticed a positive difference immediately. I'd definitely recommend.
Cheers unitedgray, you can check out the more geeky edition here - gcntech.co/bikefitgeek
Do UCI rules allow one leg to be longer than the other?
Only if the longer leg length is offset by the number, gender (left or right ) and severity of a road curve .If there is a serious disparity then a lead wieght must be incorporated into the cleat to offset the obvious advantage. It's a bit like having a hamster run round a wheel, if you don't make sure it does runs with the axle on the left or right equaling out eventually it starts to walk in a circle. Hope that clears that up.
LOL!
Don't quit your day job to be a comedian, donut.
>Do UCI rules allow one leg to be longer than the other?
Did Eddy Merckx have one leg longer? No? .... no.
Only when compensated by sock length 😀
That moment when Emma is putting out your FTP during a bike fit 😭😭
9:26 "I can see already. I'm rocking!" Yes Emma, you rock!!
Love the personality of Emma when he mentions the cables are for people up to 2 meters! Priceless
😂
Its nice to hear that Emma's set her sights high this year - really looking forward to the Presenters Challange now.
Also - thats got to be one of the most amazingly interesting video's GCN's ever made and the geek edition is....
Glad you liked it Nigel, cheers for the support 👊
Any chance that Emma can come back to this fit and its results later on after she's acclimatised to the changes it makes, only we get to see other fits but never hear from the person how they feel its effected their cycling long term.
Loving Emma. What a wonderful addition to the team and the show.
Great video, Thanks Shimano Tech Centre and obviously Emma for providing us with the insight
I've just got a bike fit myself and cycled the island of Arran yesterday and honestly I felt amazing after it. I could of kept going couldn't believe it
It's amazing what a difference it can make eh?
I cycled round Arran before it has views that are amazing
Same happened to me, no bike fit, I was on an ebike.
David Holland Have, not of. Basics...
Did you visit the Arran Distillery? Lovely.
I recently had a professional bike fit. I can't begin to describe the advantages that accompany a good bike fit. Afterward my power and speed were dramatically enhanced. Surprisingly for me after the lift my bike become far more stable. Don't hesitate to have a professional bike fit.
Really glad to hear it Ron!
Well done Emma - your delivery keeps getting better. Also glad to see GCN have finally recognised the value of a good bike fit.
Cheers Andrew, have you had a bike fit?
Global Cycling Network I have indeed had a bike fit - at WyndyMilla - although that was more of an old-school session with an experienced fitter who went by eye/experience than computer based. The results were astonishing - I cycled home feeling like I was flying a few feet above the road surface. The fit was so good, the bike kind of almost disappeared - it became part of me. Hence I’m a huge fan of a good bike fit and side with the many people who describe it as “the best money I’ve spent on anything cycling related”.
That was fascinating. As a shorter rider myself I understand the desire to want to shorten your seatpost length to try and maximise power output - and I suffer from ITB issues as a result. This has made me realise that I also need a bikefit, so thanks for the info GCN; very helpful, as always.
Let us know how you get on with it, will you? Cheers for the support.
Shorter seatpost length gives you less power output. Your muscles aren't stretching enough distance thus limiting the potential.
Did he shim the shoe or were the other changes enough to make her comfortable?
4:33 suggests you might need a "sock fit" - does that say "Right" on your left sock?
Haha, I must have put my socks on in a bit of a hurry!
Thank you for an excellent and helpful video. I have been riding for a couple of years and am still struggling for the correct fit. Now I've finally scheduled a bike fitting with a certified fitter and am looking forward to the advice she will give. This video gets a big thumbs up from me!
What a great video and thank you Emma for putting yourself out there.
It would be great if within two to four weeks you would revisit this subject and let everyone know if your new position improved your cycling experience.
Thanks again!
I rode 50-75 miles per week for around 8 years. Haven't been on the bike in over 4 years. Decided recently to dust off the bike this coming Spring and found GCN videos to entertain and refresh me through the winter. I have no idea why I loved this video as much as I did. This could've been a 2 hour video and I would not have minded.
Another great video from Emma. Really interesting and explained some of the mysteries of bike fitting. Emma gets more and more relaxed with every video. Keep em coming guys.
Wow learnt so much in a short video
Cheers Ian, so did we!
After seeing replays of Emma's performance in ITU Powerman, she's my hero, an absolute beast in the sport of long course duathlon!
Great video! Really wanna know what Emma thinks of this new position after she's been riding it for a while. Hope to hear something in the future.
Cheers Mark!
very informative video lots of different aspects mentioned here
Good luck with your goal of winning the GCN presenter challenge. You have the fitness and determination to win. To be absolutely sure of winning, practise telling your left from right, it will help you if there is a navigational element and you will be able to put your GCN socks on the correct way round. Win win!
So great to get some insight into how much there is to bike fitting! Very very useful, and great fun as well! :-D Thumbs up!
Emma did an awesome job here and did herself well to get the bike fit and adjustments made ! I miss Emma on the channel !! A very down to earth and very likable presenter !!
Thats pretty amazing stuff.. I recently just adjusted my saddle height a smidge and was surprised at how just about 3-4 mm made a huge difference in fatigue level ! Love your videos , and the knowledge you share. A+ !
Same w me. I gotta learn the metric system eg 3-4 mm equals 1 smidge.
Way to go EMMA! So glad your with the GCN Team!
Cheers Stephen!
jeeezzzz that is one hell of bike fit setup, surperb. Great video Emma!
Cheers tarmacsurfers! Thanks for watching!
Win the GCN Presenters' Challenge! Yeah! 🤣🤣🤣
There may be the TdF but the GPC must surely take precedence.
Stay tuned!
Great Video Emma. coincidentally i just did my bike fit on Saturday (Specialized Retul) and it was very similar to this. I had to get a new wider seat, change the position of my seat and i have new insoles to compensate for the high arches. I was also told my left leg is 4mm longer than my right, which can also be compensated for using cleats. It would be great if you could do a follow up video in 6 weeks time, so you can say how you feel about the new position.
Can't wait for the GCN presenter race
I'm putting the mortgage and the kids' college funds on Emma
You know it!!!
I am looking to get a fit this summer. Thanks for the presentation. This was an interesting piece.
This was very informative I think I going to get a bikefit thanks 👍 . Pat from Belgium 🚲👊
Patrick Hance cheers, let us know how you get on!
Patrick Hance juuuu
GCN needs more of Emma! MUCH more! :) When I see Emma , I click. That simple.
Excellent and very informative, thank you GCN
Most leg length "differences" are cause by a problem in the pelvis angle, not leg length. (Less than 5% have actual leg length differences). The fact she also mentioned breaking her sacrum quite recently could also be the cause of this. Handle the pelvic muscular imbalance and this should get resolved.
Great information. I am going to get a bike fit too😀. Thanks again for showing the benefits Emma.
Emma, you are an example of person everyone should follow.
something that's very underrated for shorter riders.. the usage of shorter crank
Every time I get a new bike I comeback to GCNs bike fit videos
This was very interesting. Its always something i'm wondering about. Gonna start by checking the forward/aft of my cleats and the guys recommendation of pedal axle alignment.
Thanks Simon, let us know how you get on!
The leg length discrepancy test is suspect. Typically x-ray and bone measurements are used to determine this. Functional leg length discrepancy could be caused by your rotated hip. I would avoid shimming the shoes to different heights until confirmed. If it is true you are in good company, Eddy Merckx has one too.
totally agree
My bike fit identified a similar problem and had shims and wedges fitted but they created a tendonitis that meant I couldn't walk for two weeks! Make any adjustments gradually!
@@rkitson9436 You couldn't walk as you the shimming changed the way tension is balanced in your body. Our bodies are best viewed as tensity objects (similar to a wheel, structural strength comes form tension in this case soft tissue over bones, as opposed to tension in spokes). Shimming changes that distribution of tension, which lead to overuse and tendinitis. I am personally view shimming as a last resort rather than a first step. Often you can develop tight connective tissue through habits (e.g, sitting) that can present as functional issues. In this case slowly releasing the tight connective tissue resets the balance of tension in the body and may resolve these fit issues. Soft-tissue change have to be done very slowly (weeks) so the body can properly adapt. Connective tissues takes much longer to adapt relative muscular adaptation. This is why suddenly jumping into new exercise program can bring tendonitis, as the connective tissue hasn't had time to sufficiently adapt to support the forces in the new exercise.
In a world where everyone on the internet loves telling you how good they are ............ I found this refreshing
I thought ooooh this video will be interesting! And it was waaaaay more Interesting than I expected. Thanks guys.
Wonderful video for us engineers! Thanks, Emma!
As a short rider myself, I found this a really interesting video. I'd like to know what size cranks Emma had on her fabulous Edmonda and were the wheels 650c or bs?
Amazing! I need to get a proper bike fit done... have pain and numbness in my hands and wrists
The best bike fitter I’ve seen so far
Note for small riders: Campy brake hoods make for much shorter reach than Shimano, a cm at least. The concept of adapting to a new position: I felt so strongly that my MTB cleats were too far back that I moved them forward more than a cm the night before a ten-hour marathon off-road ride, then drove six hours home. Age fifty. No aftereffects, and the cleats have stayed in that setup for 15 years since. So much for the concept.
As a physio student. Great video to learn!
Emma you put out the most informative videos, cheers!
Emma you are a fighter ! :) please do a follow up on progress after your fit
This guy knows the anatomy of the cyclist. Amazing skills. Thanks for sharing.
Neil : Any particular objectives that you have for this bike fit?
Emma : I really, really want to win GCN presenter challenge.
Neil : I can imagine that...who doesn't...
lmao
Fantastic interview, thank you so much for a professional, pleasant and to the point video. Bravo!
2:15 come on Emma don't be too humble 😁 you're awesome and you deserve credit for your achievements.
Finally GCN! A proper video on bike fitting! lol
Great Video, love the technology!! Say, but can you discuss Cleat Wedges, in particular for riders like Emma and me who have a significantly longer left-leg ? I dropped out of racing because of a knee injury, and I believe it was due to improper shoes. Knowing now it was wedges that could have prevented the injury.
Please provide a follow-up with Emma on Cleat Wedges and benefits to prevent injuries and leg pain. thank you Tom
What did you learn about from Emma's bike fit? Let us know, then check out the Bike Fit Geek Edition here gcntech.co/bikefitgeek 📹
I'd say mostly how important a bike fit is.
That I'll want to have a bike fit, myself, even though I do rec/endurance/gravel rides nearly all the time on the bike.
Emma's slight difference in leg length is probably due to her Sacroiliac Joint/Pelvis misalignment, which can be fixed easily by a good Chiropractor.
Emma, please come back after a few hundred miles with your new position and update us on your impressions.
Oh my God, the colour scheme on that Emonda... Bellissimo!
👍
There are so many incorrect statements and bad advice in this video that it is difficult to know where to start.
In any event, the average leg length disparity for men is actually about 0.6”, and for women it is about 0.4”, based on numerous studies, AAOS, US military and other sources. That is about 15mm and 10mm respectively- or 300-400% what Emma’s R/L leg length disparity measures according to him. It is generally considered, and confirmed by numerous sports med studies that anything above 4% or roughly 5cm (That is cm, not mm) may cause gate anomalies, etc. So, 4mm (what he said her disparity is) is very much at the low end of typical anomalies.
Next, you cannot accurately determine leg length by that method he used. There are numerous lower back and hip alignment issues. For example, typically left/right gluteal size disparities alone will typically shift apparent leg length by several percent (no actual length), as well as soft, connective and related tissue factors- all of which have to be considered when determining limb length to get an accurate measurement. The accuracy of his measurements are further complicated by the poor method he used, based on a contraction, flexion and pull, sometimes employed by chiropractors trying to cause or exaggerate apparent disparities.
Emma has a very obvious gate issue, which requires orthotics to address. That should be done first (before adjusting her bike) in any event, and will not only help her when walking, but will also allow accurate determination of her optimal bike adjustments and physical positioning. Also, it will help to address her right leg down-stroke compensation issues that are quite visible, and got worse when her bike was adjusted.
Also, her seat is tilted currently to compensate for the fact that it needs to be front-back adjusted (actual measurements need to be taken POST orthotics). You are currently compensating for that via set and pedal offsets, which is why the adjustments he made feel weirder than they would otherwise. Your compensation will continue until you address your underlying biomechanical issues.
Finally, do you do any quad extension or related exercises? If so, you need to do more, if not- add quad extensions to your exercise routine, as you have a very obvious, significant posterior strength bias (hamstrings vs quadriceps). Doing just a few sets per week will make a huge difference in your riding, and will help to eliminate your drag on your upstroke. It will also, and most importantly, dramatically reduce the likelihood of knee degeneration, which your stroke shows you are currently beginning to create. Take care of your biomechanical issues first, and then address your fit and positioning. You will enjoy your biking and any other sports more, improve your performance and dramatically reduce long term biomechanical related stress-related injury potential.
Andrew Denis - you are so correct mr Denis. It may be that this guy was not trained properly. I have been to several top Cat 1/ professional sports med training centers from Switzerland and Germany to the US and UK. They had tons of granite down to isolate and measure stride, bio-alignment and related problems and advanced USW lasers. This is maybe high tech compared to Dr. Scholl’s self-serve, but his methods, advice and approach are bad, and not based on and leading edge approaches I have ever seen. The last one i went to in Zermatt used advanced AI driven virtual reality. I was able to take over 10% off my times and greatly reduced my recovery times. She has very obvious alignment issues- you can see it. He is ignoring them and trying to compensate by skewing her extension. Look at how his adjustments made her over pronation much worse. Emma- he is going to screw you up badly. You need to go to a top center and get the necessary appliances made to address your physical body problems.
EMMA - DO NOT FOLLOW THIS BIKE FITTERS ADVICE! Dennis and others are completely correct. You need to see a real sports med orthopod and correct your mech issues. I do not see any orthotics or other appliances that you badly need. It will improve your performance ad keep you from crippling yourself before you turn 50. This type of place can really mess you up if you don’t fix your issues first. It’s like treating the sy,ptoms rather than the disease. It is so obvious in how you move that you are trying to compensate for some bad injuries you have had.
whyyesca - thanks to Whyatt and all of you who recognize what i’m trying to tell Emma is critically important for her body to avoid becoming crippled. This type of advice, with measurements and recommendations that are over an order of magnitude off, can do major damage to someone who rides as much and as hard as Emma does.
I just hope Emma sees our plea to her to avoid following this bad advice. There are plenty of top centers that can help her- and expect that some may even waive their fees to help her and increase. Awareness of the importance of properly dealing wit the underlying medical/physiological issues first.
I HOPE YOU SEE AND FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF THOSE TRYING TO HELP YOU EMMA. RESEARCH/FIND AND GO TO A REAL SPORTS MED GROUP THAT WILL ADDRESS YOU PHYSIO ISSUES FIRST, INSTEAD OF JUST TRYING TO ADAPT THE BIKE TO YOUR PHYSICAL INJURIES AND RESULTING PROBLEMS. A side benefit is you will enjoy biking a lot more and go faster, easier and with enhanced recovery time (and you won’t be racked with arthritic and related pain by your 50’s - Bonus! )
*Gait
Following a bike fit that in hindsight set me too high I was plagued with saddle sores in one area cos I was jammed in one position with all pressure on one side prob due to leg length difference, better to err slightly low (2-3mm say) to allow micro movements and take pressure off one particular area. Never see that mentioned in a ‘bike fit’.
So... a couple of months out now how did this work out? did you have to change anything back? changes?
Would an assembly with a slightly longer crank-length for Emma's left leg be a good idea ?
Great video for us smaller riders. Curious though, what size Emonda is that? I'm the same pint size height as Emma.
WAIT EMMA WAS IN MY AREA AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME! This will not be forgiven!
Also, the bike fitter has an awesome first name. With a name like that you know you have a talented and just all round great guy helping you.
Haha of course!
Niels Heldens
I can relate to everything in this video as i am 4 foot 8 (I'm 12) but this video is extremely helpful
This was fascinating! Thanks, Emma, for sharing this!
Totally awesome clip! I have a question Emma; didn't you have an "anti-fit" just, and literally just, before a major TT competition you took part in when the judges made you readjust your bike as it was outside their dimension limits? How did that feel regarding your position and concentración (!) when you set off?
Quite fascinating...a very interesting episode. Well done Emma👍
Cheers Gaz!
Fantastic!
Can the general public avail of this level of bike fit, and in particular, in Ireland ?
Is there somewhere in the U.S. you know that does this type of technical/scientific fitting?
Nate at Long Beach Bike Fit
Thank you Emma you’ve done me service with your video 👍🏻
GREAT video! Very, very revealing, thank you, Emma!
Get into a bind and this thing is a life saver
Will be looking for a follow up video on how she adjusts to the new position.....Had a bike fit 10 years ago (and 2+ follow ups since then), and every time I go more comfortable, efficient and faster. Highly recommend spending the money.
Great video. The science of cycling positioning is very intriguing. Good job Emma!
Cheers steamroller72, it's super interesting! Check out the geek edition on GCN Tech!
This is what I wanted! Thanks GCN
You're welcome Carl! What did you find the most interesting?
I have been considering a bike fit for myself and was wondering what the process entailed, what parameters might be measured and how precise it is. I'm sure this is a bit more advanced of a fitter than I will find locally but I suspect the fundamentals are the same. I had thought that the process might be a bit of an unnecessary upsell, but the video shows me that it will be of some significant value to increase comfort and to avoid injury. There are other bike fit videos available, but even in a quasi-promotional segment, GCN has earned my trust over some random youtube star promotion.
To be clear, I am not a pro or anything more than a health motivated cyclist, but GCNs (and others) content have made me take my cycling fare more seriously than before, adding value to my time on the bike.
How about doing a feature on Boardman's new wind tunnel facility?
This was fascinating and showed that there is so much more to a good bike fit. Highlighted as we get older to have a comprehensive bike fit every few years as our bodies change. Thanks Emma. By the way, what about the differences in your leg length, did you need to put a shim under your cleat on the short leg?
Thanks Mark, glad you found the video as fascinating as we did!
very nice and interesting use of technology. Like most old heads we went off leg length and plumb line on roller/trainer to dial in. Worked fine for me racing as long as Ema but this type of technology would have been awesome and great to have for the cycling community.
Some, not all, but some of the elements mentioned like muscle tightness, flexibility, etc. can change over time. I get that our bone structure, length, height will not but some other aspects mentioned. Anyway, good to have a bike fit to avoid injuries and simply flow better. But very few places offer that level of adjustments!
Am curious about people with flat feet how does it affect them?
Thanks for the video! I have a leg length issue. One is longer than the other. Should my saddle height be adjusted for my longer leg, shorter leg, or somewhere in between?
Hi Emma Pooley I also have one leg longer than the other by quite a difference. I did not hear in the video of how you overcome this or make it less damaging to your body. Are different left and right crank arms an option or is it stack height in the shoes? Very interested to know more.