Thirty-one years ago, I had my first bike fit. Back then, there wasn’t a lot of tech that went into one. Experience mattered, and your position on a bike boils down to some basics. You wanted someone who knew those basics really well. For 31 years, I’ve ridden these numbers. I know them by heart.

Fast forward to now, and I recently asked my friend Zack Allison of Bike Sports to give my fit a tune. Effects of crashes and broken bones are sneaking up on me, especially around my shoulders. I also wanted to make sure I was still sitting right on the bike.

There are now endless options to make sure your bike fits your anatomy. And that’s fantastic and gives even more reason to get professional help– there are so many options.

Zack is the type of rider I’m not. Thoughtful, calculated, he uses his experience and education to pursue what I say is a passion for making sure riders are comfortable and performing optimally. I tend to pedal and ignore whatever twinges are coming my way. Zack sees them as the place to start.

I didn’t expect that not much would change after getting a fit with all the new technology and 31 years of advancements in biomechanics. My saddle dropped a little (likely because I’ve shrunk that much). My bars rotated up a bit to take some pressure off my shoulders.

That’s it. It highlights the importance of a proper fit from the start. Many new riders never take this into account and will often abandon the sport because they are uncomfortable. And cycling does take some time to adjust your body too. A proper fit lasted me a long time, helped me avoid injuries, and was free of any bike-related discomforts that I never thought about them. And now, with a tune-up for age and injuries, I’m ready for another 31 years.

With Rambles, the number one thing I see that builds up for riders is discomfort. Three days into a ride isn’t the time to have knee or hip issues. Very often, I’ll notice right away that something is wrong. An improper saddle height or a wacky knee position are the usual tells. I don’t mention or offer advice until there is a problem however; I’m not there to cause issues that may not be there, but nothing is worse than getting in the van because something hurts. Rambles are often the first time someone will ride the consecutive mileage, and fit issues can take some time to show up.

Thirty-one years ago, we had few options in saddles, pedals, and other contact points. There are now endless options to make sure your bike fits your anatomy. And that’s fantastic and gives even more reason to get professional help– there are so many options. Getting a professional fit from someone like Zack at Bike Sports will help you cut through the clutter, find the gear that works for you, and get you riding comfortably and at your best.

Just do it and get riding.