Here's a really informative video about the benefits of getting a bike fit, and how to go about getting one done.
A bike fit is essentially the process by which an expert in this area measures a rider, assesses their current position on their bike and then makes changes.
If done properly, those changes will make the rider more comfortable and more efficient.
If you've ever seen an old film of, say, the Tour de France from a few decades ago you'll see there is a very significant difference in the positions of the pros on their bikes back then compared to the modern era.
The changes have come about as more has been learned down the years about how bike position relates to performance - and comfort.
The process of getting a bike fit is not something a rider gets done just once and then forgets about it.
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In the video above, one of the riders being filmed getting his fit done is U23 national road race champion Jack Wilson.
He's also a former national junior champion, has been based abroad since he was a junior and this year is in his second season with the An Post-Chainreaction team based in Belgium.
Despite being very aware of his position, and having honed it down the years, a rider like Wilson - and indeed any pro up to the level of Matt Brammeier, Philip Deignan, Nicolas Roche and Dab Martin - would undergo a bike fit every year.
And their bikes - race and spare machines - would be set up to the exact specifications arrived at during their bike fits.
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While these riders give their lives to the bike and make their living from it, it's no surprise they look for gains with their bike position.
However, for a rider who races in the domestic bunch or “non racers” who ride sportives or are simply taking up the bike to get fit, lose weight and get some exercise and enjoy themselves, a bike fit really is essential. The process is definitely not just for racing cyclists.
There are riders up and down the country who have spent thousands on bikes and yet have dreadful positions; everything from their saddle being too low/high, to being too upright on their bike. The list of mistakes is literally endless.
It's absolutely essential that riders who are not too sure what they are doing in terms of bike position seek the help of an expert who has the knowledge and equipment to set you up properly.
A good position will prevent injury, make you much more comfortable on the bike, help you to train for longer and to be more efficient on the bike.
We really couldn't stress enough how limiting - and perhaps injury-inducing - a poor position can be, and indeed the benefit you'll feel when you get somebody to put you on the right track.
Unlike the pros, you won't need to constantly keep checking your position and tweaking it. So there is really no need to think of it as an ongoing expense; one fit will do you for the foreseeable future.
If you're starting off with some girth around the middle, your torso will be thicker and less flexible than a thin rider. This will mean a more upright position will suit you better.
But as you lose weight and your range of movement around the middle increases, you will be able to get lower on the bike and you'll generally be more comfortable throwing your bike around.
So a change in your fitness, weight and level of experience would require you over time to go back and get another fit and to tweak your position accordingly.
But future fits are something that should not concern you when going for your first fit.
Take it from us; if you're new to cycling or you’re an older hand who wants to improve, a bike fit is an absolute must.
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