I can't believe we get this content for free. It's that good. Neil's wisdom and experience are so valuable to the cycling community. Thank you for sharing this with us.

@the.communist

10 ай бұрын

🤣😂😂🤣😂😂😂🤣😂

Only a bike filter that experienced can explain it that clearly in under 7 minutes. Amazing

My fitter got me into such a good fit that I pass the balance test (bent over no hands on bars) while riding on the road. It’s such a gift given how much pain I used to be in.

OMG, went to see the bike whisper (Neil) last week, what a difference. I had suffered from right hip and lower back, knee issues during and after long rides and most recently shoulder and neck issues after seeing Neill those problems disappear over night. I have a wider que factor for hips, seat came down 15mm and forward similar distance for back and neck I’m now looking at taking spacers out of front stem. No other bike fitters have come close to Neill’ problem solving and attention to detail. Couldn’t recommend Neill highly enough. Do your selves a favor and ride in comfort what ever level you ride at. Glen Gibson (Victoria)

@MicskiDK

10 ай бұрын

How can cycling induced knee pain disappear over night? It takes 6 months with gentle pace for the body to repair a worn out knee.

@michaelmechex

10 ай бұрын

​@@MicskiDKthe knee doesn't have to be worn out to hurt. It hurts when your knee is forced to bend at an unnatural angle (like a little bit sideways), especially when you're putting force through it to the pedals. Try setting up your cleats wrong and you'll see what I mean

@zoozu2067

10 ай бұрын

Agreed, I make sure I take an allen key when I'm breaking new shoes in, I quickly know when your cleats are a bit off as I get lateral knee pain that is pretty much solved with a bit of cleat readjustment. I use Shimano yellow cleats as well which are pretty forgiving for me anyways.

@smac351

10 ай бұрын

Did you take your bike to Brisbane to get the fit done?

@durianriders

7 ай бұрын

ONLY take the bike to the bike fitter if you want the best fit for THAT bike...@@smac351

One of the very best cycling information videos in the past 12 months, thanks Cam & Neil 👏

I have now watched the section on shouder drop starting at 2:30 like 10 times. Starting to sink in…. So vitally important as I see these ‘flawed’ posture motifs in many riders. Including myself. Headed down to the workshop to make some changes, think I may finally understand….

Gotta love Neill dropping absolute gold right from the start of the video. "you should be looking at the position of the rider" and not to worry about the bike is the best advice for a good bikefit.

This by far is the best explanation of getting your handlebar height suited to your needs . Nice one Neil 👍🇮🇪

This video was a god send, bringing up trapezius pain for more flexible individuals let me zero in on a good fit on my first road bike. Most videos I saw brought up joint pain, not the musculature around it cheers!

This shows the value of a bike fit thank you Neill and RCA for so many valued videos.

As always - to the point and easy to understand. Cam and Neill are 🌟🌟

Neil is great! Wish I was in Australia so he could do my fitting. My Retul fitting was crap.

Love this man and his informative videos - I could watch him all day long! 🙂

Always enjoyable the advice of guru Neil! Thx for sharing this with us mortals!

Amazing resource Neill.

Oh my god I needed this video for the neck extension video. Thanks cam!

Excellent, as always. Thank you!

another great video....will think carefully when i'm out next....Neil is (borderline) worth a trip around the world for a fit....

That was excellent. I’m saving this video for the next time I ride my trainer.

OMG!!!! I would like to say that this is the number 1 issues I be having with my body on my bike, and no bike fitter have explained it the way you just did. wow thank you for this. other then starching what other things I can do to get more comfortable on my bike?

Brilliant. Trying to relieve strain on arthritic shoulders.

I just love these videos… I’m pretty new to cycling, and i have had all kind of issues. But after being seeing your videos, its gotten much better. I didn’t even knew that a bike fitter was a thing. But im gonna see one for sure, because pain in shoulders and neck after 15 min. Of cycling is just no fun. 🙂

As said by others, simply amazing to have this resource and it’s free! You guys need to take Neill’s bike fitting on tour. “Coming to a city near you, Neill and Cam and the RCA show!” I would pay good money for that

Brilliant advices! ☺️

I knew it I bought a new bike that is similar to my current bike albeit with a higher stack. My old bike is probably lower by about 10-20mm but somehow it feels more comfortable What was discussed in 3:00 and 4:05 is exactly what Im doing these days. I cant get comfortable apart from catching too much air. The drops feels way better than the hoods which is the opposite in general Thank you for imparting your knowledge! Appreciate it 👌👊

Thanks Neil

Are the signs of the handlebars being too high the same as them being too close? i.e upon the shoulder/scapula? How can you tell which one is causing issue height or stem length?

Would be interested to hear about the nuances of bike fit for long rides (maraphones, brevets). (200, 300,...,1200km)

The man is a wizard. Cheers!

My neck felt locked out. Then I replaced my handle bar stem to one more angled up and I raised it up. That helped a lot. Thanks!

This man is a gem

Have definitely been doing the shrugged shoulders with head dropped down on my gravel bike. Will experiment with dropping the bars, didn't even consider that bars height may be the issue

Brilliant!

The slowtwitch -" best road bike handlebar setup" article is a "MUST READ" for bicycle fitters and mechanics . I build and repair , and give compliments to the cockpit setup of the Specialized Aethos .

Agree with the very good presentation of the form at the shoulders. But in my experience, morphology is just one part of the equation. You also have to pay attention to the function of the muscles. Some will have a very strong core, a different proprioception and just a different riding style they have adapted to as a result of their morphology. If your core is engaged, it will take a lot of the load off the T and C spine. And as to the riding style, take a look at Johan van Summaren. When he was riding professionally, he appeared to be a giant riding a bike that is two sizes too small. But that is what he wanted, in order to get aero, and perhaps because the sponsor did not make any larger frame.

He's really good.

The scapular retraction--great to get this confirmation from you. I've been dropping my bars, and going longer, to try to get rid of this, which is uncomfortable and 'just doesn't feel right.' But that's precisely what I was noticing and feeling on my bikes over the last 6 mos or so. I was kind of resisting going lower/longer, out of disbelief as I've got a spinal fusion at l4/5 but I guess it's a non-factor.

@bengt_axle

Ай бұрын

Same surgery. Ride with my back relatively straight (even in slight extension), with pelvic rotation, on an SMP saddle and a little more setback to take some load off the hands.

@h20s8804

Ай бұрын

@@bengt_axle Cool. Funny fact. I have a couple different types/brands of shorts. The pads are different and I can totally notice when the pad's thicker I have to tip the nose up a bit to feel right. The thin shorts, back down. Spine things...

if the bar is too high, why not just bend the elbow as long as the rider is balanced? Isn't it comfort at that point?

Thank you! Should there be a video that continues with stem length?

A main complication with neck extension is impaired vision. I am short sighted. My every-day glasses do not reach well above my eyebrows, and they come with a frame. So to look ahead with clear sight, I have to bend the neck to the max. Or tilt my head down and look over the rim of my glasses, everything in a blur, with the bar from the frame in the way too. Prescription cycling glasses with full coverage are not sensibly available for my eyes (-4.5). Lens inserts do have the same limitations as my normal glasses, as they are pretty small.. Only option would be contact lenses, which I struggle to put in. But I reckon they would be a real game changer for my bike fit. Because I tend to strech out my arms, drop the body inbetween and then strech out the neck to get a clear view of the road. I wonder if this is something you consider in bike fits?

the other tell tale, of course is if the bar tape of the hood to centre and the tops are worn, while the tape on the drops is as pristine as when it was wrapped.

Superb

Not related to the video but I've swapped my road bike to 150mm cranks and it's become a night and day difference for the better. I know you're a fan of shorter cranks and just wanted to share :D

Just tried lowering the stem 20mm cuz I kept getting upper back pain and my feeling is that is due to retracting my shoulder blades too long. Feels good but I need to test on a longer ride

Great video, I'll need to come back to it (and the others!)when I've lost 15kg because right now this excess middle aged spread is tainting everything I try and analyse to get a better (cough, aero!)position...and definitely creates problems even trying to hold time in the drops!!! (But thankfully can still knock out 100km with no niggles)

What about if your touring using drop bars and not racing and want a more upright posture.

I'm assuming stem length and bar width also effect the shoulder/neck/elbow posture and a rider's preference for being on the drops, hoods or tops?

Im probably just a tiny bit more comfortable on the hoods than the drops, but not much in it. Still got 20mm to play with on the 58cm Emonda. Could go lower?

Does Neil recommend any bike fitters in Sydney/wollongong region?

I know a few people who wear regular eyeglasses and that often requires a lot of neck bend to,actually see through them properly. They can’t assume a lower position because of that. Or similarly they use a mtb helmet with a Peak which can do the same thing.

@roadcyclingacademy6476

10 ай бұрын

Yeah that can be a problem! - N

I'm 58 years old and have the handlebars at the same level as the seat but I am getting to the limits of neck extension. Do I need to bring my handlebars even higher? or perhaps I have a rounded back posture and don't know it...??😮‍💨

Great explanation. I am curious if Neill has worked with people who have different arm lengths? And if there are work-arounds to compensate for the difference?

@roadcyclingacademy6476

10 ай бұрын

Good question - yes I've seen plenty. Running the hoods slightly assymetrically works if it's a small discrepancy, but if it's huge then a custom stem with two clamping points for each bar "half" is the go. I've done a few over the years and they work really well - for example the right arm has a 120mm 12deg stem, and the left arm has a 90mm +6deg stem effectively. These are custom machined out of billet aluminium. - Neill

What about tricep loading? What’s that an indication of?

What you Are doing at 2:01 i cant definitely not do that I tip forward when I’m sitting this much forward. Does that mean I’m not strong enough in the core?

Great video! I keep my handlebars so low.. that most of the time I'm afraid I'll fall off the saddle 😁

When my bars are too high I get massively tense shoulders and stress headaches in the back of my head !

@road cycling academy. what handlebars are those?

If i take my hands off and slide forward on saddle what does that mean please

Great information as always. Does this also roughly apply to an XC set-up as well?

@kanethomas6998

10 ай бұрын

I'm no expert but I have watched many videos on road bike fit and apply them to my xc bike and my they have made a difference to comfort/ power and beyond The mtb/xc people just don't seem to get the same fine tuning videos as road bikers

@reineherrera8897

10 ай бұрын

@@kanethomas6998 yeah, road fit is much more locked-in so minor differences in reach/height saddle fore-aft is much more pronounced. It’s a shame we don’t see the same attention to detail dedicated to XC, that’s why I like to watch Neil’s videos. Man knows his stuff.

One thing I really have had trouble confirming is the relationship between bar drop and stem length. Ie. is a longer stem and higher stack equal to a shorter stem and lower stack? Within reason of course.

@peterssc12

10 ай бұрын

A quick Google should bring up a neat calculator that will tell you the net effect of different stem length/angle/height on your position

@schaedlichd

10 ай бұрын

@@peterssc12 more precisely: stem comparison tool from yojimg :P

@michaelmechex

10 ай бұрын

It's definitely not equal, because bars don't end up in the same point in space. Although adjusting both at the same time isn't a terrible idea, if you imagine your ideal reach describing a circle between the saddle and the handlebar, when you're dropping your stack you might want to shorten your stem to stay on the circle.

Can’t seem to find the saddle height video?

Hello, was keen on the Co-efficient bars, that you have featured before. You can't get them here in AU, do you have any connections?

@roadcyclingacademy6476

10 ай бұрын

None at the moment - direct from the USA is the only way now unfortunately - N

Doesn't a standing hip hinge with slightly bent forward reaching arms get you the right height and reach in space?

@roadcyclingacademy6476

10 ай бұрын

no

It all seems like good advice. However, I wish he had at least made a nod to different riding styles and aging riders. For longer distance riders and more comfort oriented riding (oddly the same), the bar height is usually set at least slightly higher than for racing or pure speed riding. For older riders, you also likely want the bars set slightly higher to accommodate some loss of flexibility. The mirror thing may be good in some ways, but there is no mention made of, "How does it feel?" I think people get all caught up in the most aero position and then wonder why they are in so much discomfort after even a moderate length ride.

@JohnnyRabbitQC

5 ай бұрын

Having the bars lower doesn't mean you are going to be more aerodynamic and faster for racing.

How about when your lower back starts to hurt when you produce power in the drops for long time? I can do hours of Z2 in the drops but when I cycle tempo or above or even high Z2 in the drops it really starts to hurt.

@GoodToCU88

9 ай бұрын

I had the same issue, I lowered my saddle 2-3mm it fixed the issue.

@user-rd6px7cj4d

3 ай бұрын

@@GoodToCU88 Yeh because when you put out more power, we tend to drop our heels, and that increases the leg extension

can we clone neill and get him to open a shop in europe? Also, a quick note. I find the bars are set up to high if i need to brace on the hoods while riding at moderate power and consequently fatigue my triceps in doing so. For me the tradeoff is between upper torso comfort and hip impingement, if i slam the stem i don't feel any pain anywhere on the spine or arms, but my left hip starts to feel uncomfortable especially in an aero tuck. if i set up the bars as high as possible my hip is fine but i get fatigued very easily in the scapular region and the triceps.

@schaedlichd

10 ай бұрын

I'm in kinda the same spot. I wonder if it's just general fitness what's limitating here. If I could wish for a topic in these videos it would be exactly this: how can someone differentiate between a fitting problem and a personal fitness problem?

@ianezzi9212

10 ай бұрын

Interesting! I've always had my bars relatively high and also suffer tricep fatigue and general elbow discomfort. I also find myself gravitating to the drops quite often... Maybe time to experiment with going lower!

@fpgamemearray

10 ай бұрын

@@schaedlichd it would be interesting indeed, while it's true that getting fitter also means being more adapted to riding and thus being more flexible, there's certainly a limitation tied to the specifi physiology of the rider. Let's hope cam sees this as a suggestion

Hey, does anybody know what handlebar this is? Great content!

@roadcyclingacademy6476

10 ай бұрын

It's a Coefficient Wave RR - awesome handlebar! - N

@robertritter9770

10 ай бұрын

@@roadcyclingacademy6476 Thx a lot, appreciate! Would you recommend it for Gravel?

Bike on the trainer means rear bike is raised, that throws out the positioning

@AndyK.23

12 күн бұрын

The front is raised to compensate/level. Notice the wood cradle under the front wheel.

My stem is already slammed and flipped down. Looks like I’m ordering a new stem.

why them only my right back shoulder is burning like hell while am ciclying and not both

@matthewlall4277

9 ай бұрын

You have a pinched or pressed nerve. Most likely a herniated disk close to C3,4,5. Mine is all three and for a while it felt like the left shoulder blade was burning underneath the bone. Find a good PT buddy or osteopath and always keep hydrated. Does wonders and has kept me from any fusions.

@klx-y

9 ай бұрын

@@matthewlall4277 oh my good thanks so much I’ll definitely 👍 this help me a lot

@klx-y

9 ай бұрын

@@matthewlall4277 it’s any definitive solution available for this???

can this be adapted for enduro or other MTB bike fits?

@superboost1574

10 ай бұрын

Slam it. More weight on the front wheel = more traction.

@lenolenoleno

10 ай бұрын

@@superboost1574 The irony of commenting on a nuanced bike fitter video (where Neil sets out general rules, but explains "it depends") with a doldrum generalisation like "M0AR FRONT WEIGHT TO THE MAX". Literally no EDR rider (since he asked about Enduro specifically) slams their stem. Not even Courdurier at 152cm/5ft on size S frames (where stack is often proportionally higher than other sizes).

My bars are definitely too low. I have all the physical signs he described.

Mind sharing what bar you're demoing here?

@mydearriley

10 ай бұрын

And the watch? 0.o

@mydearriley

10 ай бұрын

AND, do you have more content from the factor rider? Or other videos covering female-specific fits?

@roadcyclingacademy6476

10 ай бұрын

Quite a lot, we suggest skimming through this playlist to find one that's most relevant for you kzread.info/head/PLCyklBca6SZF1tRwSYsek-ZnsNBI-GPuY

@joshuaroe11

10 ай бұрын

Looks like a coefficient bar to me

@roadcyclingacademy6476

10 ай бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z5Ohk9KPc9a_nso.htmlsi=piqcSys1HE82XQuO

Sorry, maybe I'm "big bodied" but the second I lean forward I am on out of balance, on my hands, with numbness (and neck pain) in my future. I have tried ALL the concievable seat and bar positions and still, no "PIANO PLAYING" to be had. There is no "bike fit" solution for it. It seems to be a sport for the unusually thin. Oh well, makes for good YT content I guess, but every time you levitate out over the bars as if a few millimeters of adjustment is all I need... kind of smarts

I watch all these fitting vids, think I've got it, then watch the pros. WTF?

never trust a cyclist with white socks and black shoes. jk. great content. another clue bars are too low is crippling back pain. ask me how I know.

good stuff! I did like the question below of this correlates to bars being to close as well.. I guess try either a shorter stem or lower bars independently and see which corrects the scapular retraction? @roadcyclingacademy6476