Why You Might Need a Bike Fit (Even If Nothing Hurts Yet)
It’s Not Just About Pain
Many riders only think about a bike fit when something starts to hurt. Knee pain, back tightness, numb hands. While pain is a common reason people seek a fit, it’s rarely the first sign that something isn’t quite right.
A bike fit is less about fixing problems after they appear and more about making sure the body and bike are working together as demands change.
Repetition Magnifies Small Issues
Cycling is a repetitive activity. Even small positional issues are repeated thousands of times in a single ride. Early on, the body often compensates without complaint. Over time, or as training load increases, those compensations become harder to sustain.
Pain is one reason to get a bike fit, but it’s not the only one.
Changes in Sensation Matter
Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or saddle area is often related to pressure, reach, or weight distribution on the bike. These symptoms are frequently neural rather than muscular and are a sign that load is being directed somewhere it shouldn’t be.
New Bikes and Equipment Changes
A new bike or equipment change is another key moment to consider a fit. A different frame, saddle, shoes, cleats, or even crank length can significantly alter joint angles and load. A bike fit helps transfer your position properly rather than guessing and hoping it settles over time.
Returning From Injury or Adapting With Age
Strength, mobility, and tolerance to load change over time. A position that worked a few years ago may no longer suit where your body is now. Returning from injury, time off the bike, or noticing changes with age are all good reasons to reassess your setup.
Increased Training Load or Event Preparation
Increasing volume, adding intensity, or preparing for an event places more stress through the system. Positions that feel fine on shorter rides can break down under fatigue. A bike fit helps ensure your setup can tolerate increased load without small issues escalating.
Performance and Control
Riders looking to improve efficiency, stability, cornering, or confidence at speed often benefit from a fit even in the absence of pain. Better alignment and weight distribution can improve control and reduce wasted effort, particularly during longer or harder rides.
Why a Physio-Led Bike Fit Matters
At Baseline, bike fitting is physio led. That means the starting point is always the body, not just the bike. Movement, strength, injury history, and training load are considered alongside position. The aim is not to force symmetry or chase an idealised setup, but to balance the body to the bike in a way that supports how you ride.
A Bike Fit Is a Check, Not a Fix
A bike fit isn’t a one off solution. It’s a way to check that your setup still matches your body, your training, and your goals. Whether you’re managing discomfort, returning from injury, changing equipment, or simply asking more of your riding, a bike fit helps remove unnecessary barriers and support consistency on the bike.
If cycling is something you want to keep doing well, it’s worth checking that the system underneath it still makes sense.
