More on Perfect Mountain Bike Fit from bike shop near Weslaco

Our bike shops (close by Weslaco) just posted the first of a few tips for how to adjust your mountain bike for perfect fit. 

Some riders may make adjustments to these guidelines because of their specific style, but these are the most common things we consider for the right fit. We already covered standover height and reach. 

Here are a few more of the things we look at with fit...

3. Adjusting saddle height: When on the saddle, feet on pedals, your knees should be slightly bent at the bottom of a pedal stroke. If both your feet are able to sit flat on the ground, you probably need raise the seat.
4. Stem adjustment: Have another person hold the bike up while you sit on the saddle. If your arms are stretching or your elbows are locked, your stem needs adjustment. Some models have an adjustable stem. If not, you can have a bike shop replace your stem with one that is the right length and angle for your proportions.
5. Adjusting saddle position: The saddle is usually parallel to the ground. With your feet on the pedals,  your knee comes directly over the ball of your foot. When you pedal, your shin is angled slightly forward. If your legs are positioned different than this, you may need saddle adjustment.

Our bike experts can always assist with finding the right bicycle for your needs and body, as well as getting your bike fitted for your perfect ride.  

Bicycle shop Harlingen: Perfect Mountain Bike Fit

If you buy your new mountain bike at one of our bike shops (Harlingen, Brownsville, or McAllen) you can trust that your new bike will be fitted properly, or you can bring it back for adjustment. Having a bike that fits you well is essential for your bike to have top performance, fitness benefit, and comfort.
The following are a few of our bike shop's tips for achieving perfect fit. These tips are general guidelines, and some riders may choose to make adjustments to them to reflect their riding needs and style.
1. To find standover height: Straddling the top tube, lift your bicycle. On a typical hard tail, this should leave at least 2 inches between the tires and the ground. For some types of riding, the preference may be for up to a 3-5 inch clearance. On a full suspension bike, 1" may be adequate. Full suspension will mean your bike's height will be compressed when you're seated.
2. To adjust reach: When seated, with your hands placed on the handlebar grips, your elbows should be gently bent, not hyper-extended. This will allow your arms to absorb some of the impact of bumps and rough terrain without undue strain.

See our next post for more of our tips on adjusting mountain bike fit...