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Frequently Asked Questions
Is
my Bike Fit covered by my insurance?
Yes. Physiotherapy is covered by most extended
health insurances.
Consult your own plan for more information.
A Professional Bike Fit is a detailed physical
assessment and treatment of a sports injury. It
includes an examination of flexibility, range
of movement and posture of the cyclist. An ergonomic
assessment of the cyclist's posture on his/her
bike is performed. Corrections are made to the
cyclist's bike/equipment for the purpose of treating
and preventing cycling injuries.
Advice on proper cycling posture and stretching
exercises is provided.
Any number of individual treatments may never
alleviate a cyclist's injury if the root cause
(an improper bike fit ) is not corrected.
Do I need a doctors
referral?
Some insurance plans do require a referral from
a doctor for physiotherapy.
Consult your own individual plan to determine
if a referral is necessary. If so, you can obtain
one from either a Sports Medicine Clinic or your
family doctor.
A simple referral requesting Physiotherapy will suffice.
Can I divide my fit
into 2 sessions?
It is much preferable to complete a bike fit in one visit.
However an exception can sometimes be made if you do not have a free 3-4 hour time slot
available in your day. Some insurance plans also have
a maximum limit per visit.
I would like to
buy a new/used bike. How do I choose the Proper
Frame Size?
General Guidelines:
ROAD / HYBRID / CYCLOCROSS
To determine your recommended bike frame size first
you need to measure your inseam.
Do this standing against a wall in sock feet with
your feet slightly away from the wall. Place either
a book or a carpenter's square between your legs
held right up against your pelvic bone (about 20
lbs of pressure).
Measure the distance from the floor to the top edge
of the book/wood in centimeters.
Frame Size = Inseam x .657
For example if you have an inseam of 79 cm then
the recommended frame size would be 52 cm
(79 X .657 = 51.9 )
Bike frame geometry is designed to fit riders of
“average” proportion.
So it is therefore important to determine if your
body is proportional in terms of leg/torso dimensions.
This can change the recommended frame size. To determine
if you have short/long legs:
Inseam / Height= % legs are of body
If your legs are 45% or less of your body, then
you have short legs and a long torso.
You therefore could use one frame size up (since
you need a longer reach for your long torso)
If your legs are 50% or more of your body, then
you have long legs and a short torso.
You would therefore be better on a smaller bike
(since you need a shorter reach for your short torso)
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Frame Size = Inseam - 36cm
3 - 6 '' stand over clearance between the crotch
and the top tube
Frame size should be around 8 - 10cm less than your
road bike
Sizes may vary from one manufacturer to another.
The above are general guidelines. You are best to
test ride some bikes once you have gotten a rough
idea of what will fit you. This will help you determine
what is most comfortable for you.
Frame size of a bike refers to the measurement of
the length of the seat tube in centimeters.
Traditionally this is measured from the centre of
the bottom bracket to the centre of the top tube.
Some manufacturers measure to the top of the top
tube or the top of the seat tube.
With a horizontal top tube this is an easy measurement.
Many bikes however have compact geometry with a
sloping top tube and therefore will have a different
way of measuring frame size. The size is based on
the virtual seat tube length. The top of the seat
tube is measured at a point where a virtual or imaginary
horizontal top tube would bisect the seat tube.
This is often a complicated measurement. You could
either consult the bike's web site or a bike shop
employee should be able to translate the frame size
for you.
TRIATHLON
Unfortunately there is no magic formula. Compared
to your road bike, a Tri bike may be smaller, have
a steeper seat tube angle, shorter top tube and
lower top and head tube to accommodate the use of
aerobars. Geometry will vary from one bike manufacturer
to another and from one model to another. For example
a 6'2'' cyclist might ride a 60 cm Road bike and
a 59 cm Tri bike. At the same time a 57 cm Litespeed
or a 58 cm Cervelo would fit the same rider. You
are therefore best to visit a bike store that specializes
in Triathlon bikes or to consult the manufacturer's
web site to help direct you to the proper frame
size.
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