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Can't see the slideshow? Click Here At the regular monthly meeting held on March 26th, Revolution Cycling Team introduced Bob Duncan as one of our guest speakers. Bob is the owner/operator of Wheelie Fun Multi-Sport in Lebanon, Ohio. Bob has been involved in competitive cycling since the age of 15 and his passion is in the art of fitting people to a bicycle in an effort to move a bicycle forward with the most efficient use of energy possible. Two members of the Team were selected in advance to help Bob demonstrate two different styles of fitting. First, Cindy Nagel helped Bob demonstrate the process of measuring a person interested in purchasing a new bike. Bob has built a bicycle-like machine (see photo above left) that he uses in conjunction with a program he has written. He uses the program to enter body measurements which calculate the distances between the saddle and the handlebars and the saddle and the pedals as well as the height difference between the saddle and handlebars. Bob then sets his machine to duplicate the measurements given by the computer and asked Cindy to get on. With Cindy on the machine Bob checks her positioning such as torso to leg angle, knee bend at bottom stroke, arm, wrist and hand placement. Bob then makes slight adjustments so that Cindy is in the best possible position to get the most efficient use of the energy expended. After all that is done, Bob takes the final measurements off of the machine and looks for a pre-made bike that will fit as close as possible. Once a bike is decided upon it can be fine-tuned to the rider by changing saddles, stems, handlebars and other components to get the bike as close a fit to the rider as possible. Next, Bob, with the help of Gary Wehmeyer and his bike, demonstrated the process of fine tuning a bike that you already have. It goes without saying that the possibility of getting a close fit is more difficult than the process above. However, changing components moving the saddle up or down, backward or forward can make a great deal of difference in improving efficiency and comfort, as was realized with this demonstration. |
