What 97 Bike Fits Taught Us About How We're All Riding Wrong

Here's something I don't think gets talked about enough: most riders are set up wrong. Not slightly off. Not almost there. Genuinely, measurably, getting-in-their-own-way wrong.

Over the four months from November 2025 to March 2026, we completed 97 bike fits at Baseline (that’s an average of 2x fits per day since Baseline opened my gosh) from first-timers to seasoned racers, from weekend group ride regulars to Ironman athletes — all sat down on a bike in front of us and let us take a proper look.

What we found was consistent enough that I had to write about it.

The saddle is almost always too low

Three quarters of riders (75%) came in with their saddle height set too low.

Not a little low. Low enough to be costing them power, loading up their knees, and making every climb harder than it needed to be. A low saddle feels "safe" because you can get a foot flat to the ground. But it's not doing you any favours on the bike.

On average, we raised saddles by around 10mm. That's not a huge number on paper. On the bike, it's a completely different story. Riders immediately notice more power through the pedals and less fatigue in the quads. Small change, real impact.

The bars are almost always too high

78% of riders came in with their bar stack set too high.

This one surprises people. We're often told that a more upright position is more comfortable — and in some contexts, that's true. But for riders who are training with purpose, a stack that's too high means you're fighting your own aerodynamics, shifting load onto your hands and wrists, and actually putting more strain on your lower back, not less.

On average, we lowered stack height by 22mm. That's a meaningful change, and the difference in how riders feel on longer efforts is significant.

Reach: most riders are too cramped

65% of riders needed their reach extended.

Reach is the one that catches people off guard the most. When something feels uncomfortable, the instinct is often to bring the bars closer — shorter stem, more stack. But a reach that's too short means you're scrunched up, your shoulders are elevated, and your core can't engage properly. Extending reach by even 5–6mm opened things up for most riders immediately.

So what does this actually mean?

It means that riding "uncomfortable" is not your baseline. It's not just part of the deal. In most cases, it's a setup problem and setup problems have solutions.

The riders who came through Baseline left feeling better, riding more efficiently, and with a clearer picture of what their body actually needs on the bike. That's the whole point.

If you've been ignoring that niggle in your knee, that ache in your lower back, or the feeling that your power just isn't where it should be - don't wait for it to become an injury. Come in.

A bike fit is one session. The benefits last a whole lot longer.

And if you’re looking for more than a fit, I have you covered with physio for recovery, strength training over winter, and skills clinics to build your confidence on the bike. Baseline is built around the whole rider, not just the bike.