INTERNATIONAL
BIKE FITTER I B F I
M A G A Z I N E
JANUARY 2022 • ISSUE FOUR
A NEW ROUTE FOR BIKE FITTING EDUCATION Setting out plans for industry-wide standards in our education special
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Contents
7
8
10
HOW THE PANDEMIC
MAKE YOUR
HAS CHANGED
A NEW DAWN IN BIKE
ONLINE PROFILE
CYCLING SHOE NEEDS
FIT EDUCATION
STAND OUT
Vice-President’s letter
2
Education FAQ
20
EDUCATION SPECIAL: Creating a new system
Wahoo Speedplay
23
for bike fitting education
10
Tried and Tested
24
The common syllabus explained
14
Meet the Education Committee
26
Cafe Stop - Kwanchai Nualchanchy
16
Education provider profiles
29
New products
17
The importance of posture
34
Online learning explained
19
2022 JANUARY ISSUE 4
International Bike Fitter • Issue Four • January 2022 •
EDITOR’S LETTER
I
t’s with great pleasure that I get to
brought about by the pandemic and the
welcome you to issue four of
ensuing explosion in demand for bikes. We
International Bike Fitter, which is
now have an almost unprecedented amount of
dedicated to education. I know it’s been a long time coming, but
new cyclists exploring the limits of what they can do on a bike. How comfortable and
the IBFI team has been working tirelessly to
effective they are on their bikes will be a huge
get everything ready to be able to launch in
part of whether they stick with cycling or not in
this issue; I cannot tell you how excited I am
the long run.
to see the fruits of these labours. TURNING POINT As we welcome in 2022, the industry is at a point where we all still face challenges
We have an exciting opportunity as bike fitters to help educate a new generation of cyclists. So what better time to ensure that we’re all singing off the same hymn sheet — or at least from the same book?
I don’t think it’s too dramatic to say that
GLOBAL EDUCATION
harmonising education within the industry is a
To this end, we are launching a new Common Syllabus for bike fitting education,
fundamental step to creating a respected
creating a globally recognised modular
profession.
education system. The syllabus will continue
If I think back to when I first started fitting,
to be developed by our education committee,
there were no educational standards that our
who we get to introduce in this issue.
clients understood or could compare to any of our peers. I think this is why
We also feature profiles of the education providers who are evolving their own courses in-line with the new syllabus, so you will be able to see which courses globally will already get you on-track to a new qualification.
clients started quantifying fitters
H
armonising education is
a fundamental step to creating a respected profession
by what type of technology was used, rather than the level of education and experience of the person conducting their fit. Peppered amongst all of this education information we have your favourite usual IBFI magazine features and products
Obviously, there will
reviews, including a catch up with
also be online elements to these courses so that we can ensure the
the product development team at Wahoo, a
depth of knowledge in new students. To help
feature on how the pandemic has affected foot
facilitate this, we have created an online
size (yes, really), and a Cafe Stop with Thai
learning management system, which will be
fitter Kwanchai Nualchanchy.
explained in more detail in this issue.
So, with no further ado, welcome to our education issue. Have fun, look around and
INCLUSIVE
don’t forget to do your homework!
All good education is inclusive, which is why we are also asking for applicants to join
Lee Prescott
the IBFI’s education committee. Regardless of
IBFI Vice President
where you are in your career, this is your opportunity to get involved in shaping the future of bike fitting.
International Bike Fitter is published by the International Bike Fitting Institute (IBFI) Unit 9, Hatton Technology Park, Dark Lane, Warwickshire, CV35 8XB, England Contacts: Andy Brooke (IBFI President): andy@ibfi-certification.com Lee Prescott (IBFI Vice President): lee@ibfi-certification.com Designed and produced by Caroline Stocks Communications • www.carolinestocks.co.uk
ONE SITE. HUNDREDS OF PRODUCTS.
BIKEFITTERSUPPLY.COM From kitting out your fit studio to sourcing wholesale products for resale, Bike Fitter Supply has got you covered. Our multi-vendor online store allows you to buy from multiple suppliers in one place, making your fit studio management simple, quick and cost-effective — no matter where you are in the world*.
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*Not all brands available in all geographic locations
How could Covid affect cycling shoes? The global pandemic has changed lots about the cycling industry — but could changes to cycling shoes be an another unexpected outcome? IBFI President and UK bike fitter Andy Brooke tries his theory out for size.
H
ere’s a fun little thought experiment. How
work from home, they will be more likely to wear
will Covid impact cycling shoes? And no,
comfier, wider options like slippers or trainers — or
for once it’s a not a supply chain issue.
often won’t wear shoes at all. There’s lots of
And whilst it might lead to increased sales, it’s not
research out there about walking barefoot and foot
related to the global explosion in cycling that Covid
width. Cultures that predominantly wear sandals
helped create. Give up?
or are barefoot have much wider feet than those
I think we all see a lot of customers with shoes
that are customarily shod (not a typo, just not a
that are far too narrow, and that trend may
common word. When you wear clothes,
increase over the next few months and years. The pandemic has resulted in a lot of people working from home, and that shift looks set to continue long after Covid restrictions ease around the world. Companies have found ways to work
you’re clothed, when you wear shoes,
“Spending more time barefoot actually widens your feet.”
you’re shod). Widening feet Spending more time barefoot actually widens your feet. So, working from home
around not being in the office anymore,
and not wearing dress shoes might
and it’s rumoured that several big
actually result in a lot of people ending up
employers are considering making that
with wider feet. Don’t be surprised if
switch a permanent one. Fewer staff in
people say their work shoes feel a little
the office, means employers can rent
tight when they returned after Covid, it’s
smaller office buildings and save money. So, while
not uncommon. But given that cycling shoes are
working from home might not have been too
often very narrow as well, you might find a lot of
popular with many bosses before Covid, it looks
customers are now complaining of foot pain in
like it’s here to stay for a while yet.
shoes that never used to cause them issues.
Unless foot width is something you record and can Swapping dress shoes for slippers
go back and compare, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to
So how does working from home impact cycling
quantify the change, but if your clients are noticing
shoes? When men and women go into an office,
a difference, this might be the reason. Let’s hope
they often wear dress shoes or heels, which aren’t
the industry reacts and we see a lot more wide
the widest shoes in the world. But when people
fitting options from brands in the future.
MAKE YOUR ONLINE PROFILE STAND OUT When it comes to advertising your business and reaching new customers, Google Business Profiles is a simple tool all bike fit businesses can utilise. Ben Wall of dotwall web design shares his top tips for optimising your own listing, and explains why reviews matter.
T
hese days, most people use Google to research any purchase, whether it's a new
3 things you can do right now to
TV, a pair of trainers, or indeed, a bike fit.
optimise your listing
The main questions that potential customers have are: Is there someone close to me that can serve
Business Information
their needs? And if so, are they good? To help
Your profile needs to be updated with current
answer those questions, Google will always find
photos, website, phone, and physical address
the three most relevant businesses and place them
information. In a business bio, you need to
at the top of the organic search results. This makes
describe what your business is, what it does,
having an up-to-date online profile Google is able
and make sure you use keywords that describe
to search for vital for any business.
the services you offer and where you offer them. For example: "BikefitPros are expert bike
What is Google Business Profile?
fitters in London. We offer a variety of bike
GBP is a free service provided by Google that
fitting services...". You're allowed 750
allows businesses to share information about their
characters for your bio.
services, opening hours, contacts, and business updates. Google Maps also integrates GBP listings
Reviews, Reviews, Reviews
to give the customers directions as and when
Nowadays, people want to know that someone
necessary.
has already used the product or service they plan to purchase so they know they're making
'Bike fitter near me'
an informed decision. Google understands this
This is the term most commonly used by people
as ‘social proof’. As an example, imagine there
looking for a bike fit. If you want to find new
are three Italian restaurants in your town. Each
customers for your bike fitting business, you need
restaurant has a GBP listing, has up-to-date
to optimise your GBP for these keywords.
information, and has good photos.
From Google zero to hero The first restaurant on the list has ten reviews at 3/5, the second has 20 reviews with a rating of
Graeme at GV Pro Bike Fit in Liverpool, UK, has
4/5, and the third restaurant on the list has 100
over 50 five-star reviews on his GBO listing and
reviews of 5-stars.
tops the Google rankings in his area after
Which one would you choose to eat at? 9/10
approaching dotwall to help him create a Google-
people pick the restaurant with 100, 5-star
optimised website. The
reviews.
result is a steady
With bike fitting, the situation is the same. You
stream of enquiries
might be the best bike fitter in your country on paper, but if there is a local bike fitter with five 5star reviews, and you don't have any, more than likely you've already lost that customer. If you don’t have any Google reviews yet, reach out to your last 20 customers and ask them for a
through his website about his services, securing him customers he might not have otherwise
review. Explain you're building your online
have gained.
reputation and a review would mean a great deal
“I read through the
to you.
IBFI quarterly magazine and came
Business updates
across an offer from
You can post updates about your business on
Ben at dotwall. He was offering some discounts on
GBP, just like you do on Instagram and
websites for bike fitters, so I gave him a call,” says
Facebook. By posting business news, bike fitting
Graeme.
tips, or updates on your listing, you will expand your profile and provide a more enjoyable read for people searching for your services. Also, Google will recognise that your listing is active, and as a result, will likely rank you higher than the competition.
“As a cyclist, he knew exactly what I wanted and quickly mocked up a website homepage. I was genuinely impressed and proud to think that this was my website and people would be looking at it!" Fast forward almost a year, and Graeme says Ben
The more you get involved with your Google
continues to be one of his main allies in attracting
Business Profile, making sure reviews keep
people to place a booking for a bike fit.
coming in, the more Google will shine a light on
“He is very good at looking at a website from a
your website. And when you have an excellent
customer's perspective and tweaks things
looking website that's designed to convert, you'll
accordingly,” he says.
see the enquiries coming in!
“Most people have heard of the term 'SEO' and
For more help and to enquire about website
making your website 'optimised' for Google
design and SEO, visit dotwall.co.uk. IBFI
searches, which might seem like a difficult task.
members receive a 20% discount on all services.
“However, it's easier than you think, especially with the aid of Google Business Profile. “Having people search for ‘Bike fit near me’ and my
Top Tip: Publer allows you to link five social media platforms (including Google), allowing you to post once to five different platforms – you can even schedule your posts to go out throughout the week.
website appearing near the top of the first page is the most critical aspect for me now, because that customer is probably within a 20-mile radius — and that's exactly who I'm trying to attract.”
A NEW DAWN IN BIKE FIT EDUCATION
As part of its continued efforts to improve bike fitting, the IBFI has joined forces with fit educators around the world to create a common education standard to help professionalise the industry. IBFI President Andy Brooke explains the exciting changes, and what they’ll mean for IBFI members.
T
here are some big changes
they start? Who offered the best courses?
coming in the world of bike fitting
How many courses would they need to do to
education. Over the next few pages,
become a good fitter?
we’re going to run you through what we
As an industry, we stagnated. Fitters found it
consider to be the biggest step towards
easy to reach a moderately competent level
professionalising bike fitting that we’ve ever
but very difficult to progress any further. No
undertaken. And it wouldn’t have been
matter who they started training with, there
possible with the support of a great
were rarely more than 6-8 days of
group of bike fit educators, but
training available across multiple
more about them later.
courses, and if they wanted to then
switch to another provider, they were First, a little background
forced to go back to their very first
Before the IBFI was established back in 2015, there was no parity between bike fitting education courses, and very little trust between education providers. That created a very difficult environment for new and early-career fitters. Where should
course. This meant there was a huge financial disincentive to continue learning. Once a fitter had done a few courses, the return on investment to go back and work through the different levels of courses with a new provider was virtually nothing – a lot of money spent on course
fees, travel, accommodation and even loss of
types of courses to compare easily to
earnings through not fitting, often resulted in
traditional academia, and across 38 different
learning the same things in a slightly different
countries. The European Qualifications
way.
Framework (EQF) is an 8-level system that
The IBFI worked hard to encourage
runs from high-school standard courses right
education and improvement but ultimately it
through to PhD-level.
resulted in some fitters collecting credits by
It’s been used extensively in sports and
simply attending multiple entry-level courses
complimentary-medical fields, like Sports
from different providers. They weren’t
Therapy (practitioners are similar to Athletic
learning anything new or developing their
Trainers in the US), Sports Massage and
skills, just relearning the same
Personal Training. It made perfect
basic things. It was time for a
sense for the IBFI to follow a similar
change and other industries could
path. Our existing levels could be
help show us the way.
transferred over to the first four
Looking outside of bike fitting Bike fitting education is classed as vocational training, which means it’s not an academic qualification gained through a university or sitting through lectures; it’s hands-on training that requires skill as well as
levels of the EQF, meaning our courses would grow in difficulty from high-school equivalent courses at level 1, all the way up to level 4 with an equivalent complexity to the first year of a bachelor’s or undergraduate degree.
knowledge. Thankfully the European Union
The need for a common syllabus
(EU) has a history of great vocational training,
Once we’d decided upon a framework for a
and it created a system that allows these
new education system, we needed to agree
BIKE FIT TRAINING IS HANDS-ON, REQUIRING SKILL AS WELL AS KNOWLEDGE
as an industry to use a common syllabus that
Syllabus creation
would allow us to fully implement it.
Shifting over to the new education system
It was important that there wasn’t duplication
would already bring significant benefits, like
between levels, and that each new course
reducing the need to duplicate learning when
taught different and exciting material. That
switching between providers, making the
way we could be sure that students gained a
qualification progression much clearer, and
significant knowledge increase after each
mirroring professional standards in other
level of training, meaning we could
industries. It might even lead to bike
be confident that a higher level
fitting qualifications being recognised
fitter was better trained than a
by traditional academic institutions
lower level fitter. This structure
like colleges and universities.
would also ensure that fitters have
But it was also an opportunity for the
a clear path through a well-
IBFI to strengthen what was taught,
rounded, complete education without having to duplicate material.
Standardising quality The other reason we needed a common syllabus was to
‘The common syllabus will be managed by a global education committee who will develop it and ensure it is owned and run by the industry’
both in the topics covered and the level of detail. The IBFI, in consultation with experienced education providers around the world, started out by listing all the topics we’d like a level 4 fitter to have training on, and then divided those
standardise the quality and level of
logically between the four levels of
qualifications. Qualifications within
courses to create a common
the EQF are recognised by all providers,
syllabus.
meaning students could attend a level 1
The plan is for this common syllabus to be
course with one provider and move on to
managed by a new global education
level 2 with another. This completely removes
committee, who will develop it over time and
the need to drop back to entry-level courses
ensure it is owned and run by the industry as
and hopefully makes it easier and cheaper for
a whole, not something the IBFI handed
students to work their way up to the higher
down.
levels of training and certification. The way this works in other industries is through the implementation of common assessment protocols at each level. If students have to cover the same core materials and pass the same assessments regardless of who offered the course, providers can be confident that they’re ready to move on to the next level. That’s exactly what we’re implementing here.
Online learning Covid created a huge drive for online learning, and we couldn’t ignore that. With bike fitting being a balance of skill and knowledge, it seemed logical to split the training between online and in person. The more academic, knowledge-based topics could be delivered online, reducing the time
sat in front of PowerPoint presentations
of education providers, we ended up with a
during in-person courses and freeing up more
great and balanced syllabus that was
time for practical, skill-based sessions. All the
agreed by over a dozen education
online modules will be delivered through the
providers.
same Learning Management System,
Over the next four pages you’ll be able to
managed by the IBFI and a team of
see the structure of the syllabus. We’ve
independent assessors, meaning every
stripped out some of the detail so that it
student — regardless of provider — can
didn’t require another magazine entirely just
easily be filtered into the same assessment.
for the syllabus, but hopefully you’ll be able
This allows the IBFI to shift its role into that of
to see the topics covered and the
a true professional body; overseeing the
progression offered through the different
quality of education received, and ensuring
levels. A level 4 fitter really should be able to
that all students have to pass the same
tackle almost anything!
standard of assessment regardless of course
Later in this issues we’ll explain how the
provider. As always, the IBFI will work to
syllabus will evolve and who will manage it,
support existing education providers, and will
along with how the online elements will
not be delivering educational courses.
work, and how we’ll ‘grandfather-in’ existing experienced fitters. We know this is a big
A balanced syllabus
change, but we’re really excited about the
The first draft syllabus was started in 2019
potential for this approach to raise standards
and presented to the first few education
and create an industry we can all be proud
providers in 2020. By working through their
of. If you have any questions or comments,
feedback, making improvements, and doing
get in touch at andy@ibfi-certification.com.
the same thing with each subsequent group
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH THE NEW EDUCATION SYLLABUS
Recognised education providers around the world will be offering courses in-line with the new common syllabus, making it easier for fitters to progress throughout their career. Here, we set out what you should expect to learn at each education level.
T
he new common syllabus retains the four
chunks to ensure it can easily fit around other
levels of IBFI’s current certification system
commitments. The in-person courses will usually be
but splits each level into two modules – one
delivered across three days, although this is entirely
delivered online through a new multivendor
up to the course provider.
education website — to be launched soon — and
As you’ll see from the tables here, the breadth of
one delivered in person by recognised education
content is far greater than anything currently
providers.
available, and creates a very clear path for fitters
Each module consists of around 24 hours of
looking to progress from entry-level, early career
learning. The online content can be completed at a
practitioners to advanced, well-rounded
time to suit the student, and even be split into
professionals.
An introduction to bike fitting, providing all the skills a retail fitter needs to carry out a daflkj
basic fit
Online module:
In-person module
Lesson 1: Introduction to Anatomy
Postural cues of bad fit, identification of a
Lesson 2: Pre-fit Interview
functional saddle position window (fore-aft and
Lesson 3: Introductory pre-fit screening
height), identification of a functional handlebar
Lesson 4: Bike Measurements
position window, intro to cleat positioning, intro to insole selection, basic mechanic skills, and bike sizing.
Builds on the knowledge gained in level 1 and digs into more discipline-specific detail
Online module:
In-person module
Lesson 1: The business of bike fitting
Crank length selection, intermediate physical
Lesson 2: Intro to cycling biomechanics
assessment and clinical reasoning, intermediate
Lesson 3: Common cycling discomfort
foot evaluation, foot-pedal interface, fitting for TT
Lesson 4: Intro to bike fitting technology
and Triathlon, fitting for Road, fitting for MTB, and gender-specific fit issues.
Expands a fitter’s knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics, while focusing on lkjlkjljlkk contact point selection Online module:
In-person module
Lesson 1: Intermediate anatomy
Saddle selection, shoe selection, advanced
Lesson 2: Cycling injuries
insole selection, pedal systems and float,
Lesson 3: Intermediate cycling biomechanics
handlebar and cockpit selection, advanced onbike visual cues, advanced foot evaluation, and weight distribution/centre of mass.
Provides everything a fitter could need, including custom frame design, fitting para……
athletes and exposure to all the technologies commonly used in fitting.
Online module:
In-person module
Lesson 1: Custom frame design
Motion capture, pressure mapping, force pedals,
Lesson 2: Reviewing scientific literature
electromyography (EMG), aerodynamics,
Lesson 3: Teaching, mentoring, and assessing
physiology of position, off-bike exercises, strength and conditioning for cycling, para-fit and fitting at the extremes.
IBFI cafe stop: Kwanchai Nualchanchy Thai fitter Kwanchai Nualchanchy, of Velocity, Chiang Mai, braves the hot seat in our latest IBFI fitter profile.
When did you decide you were going to be
can finish in 10 minutes!
a bike fitter? I had so many questions about
How did you get to where you are
cycling when I started cycling a long, long
today? Keep learning and cycling,
time ago. When I learned about bike fitting, I
consistency.
really felt a strong passion for it.
How do you unwind? Go cycling in a new
Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met in your job? I can’t tell you, I’m fitting him!
place. If you had to get a job outside of cycling, what would it be? A high school teacher.
What’s your favourite event in the cycling calendar? All of the Spring classics. What’s the biggest frustration in your job? When you start learning and realise how little you know. What’s the best thing about what you do? Making
Tell us a something not many people know about you I am not good at all ball sports. What’s the most difficult thing about being a bike fitter? Focusing on every detail. What’s the most useful tool or technology you work with? Pressure mapping. What website can you easily waste an
customers happy. What’s the toughest fit you’ve ever done? A client with an injury related to their nervous system. What’s the best thing about
hour on? cyclingtips.com What bike fit qualifications do you have? I have a long list of them! What course, book or websites do you think every fitter should check
working in cycling? Travelling. What’s the strangest thing in your fit studio? Clients
out? science-cycling.org/ What advice would you give to someone just starting out in bike fit? Always ask questions.
thinking bike fitting
Espresso time
How do you take your coffee? Cappuccino – nothing extra What was the last book you read? World economy 1,000 year What pedals do you ride? Speedplay What saddle do you use? Specialized Romin evo mirror What’s your dream bike? Still in my dreams! Favourite place to cycle? Iceland Favourite pro rider? Laurent Jalabert
NEW PRODUCTS International Bike Fitter shares some of the newest tools and tech from across the global bike fit industry.
FORM Modular Leg Length Shim System These new shims from FORM (pictured, below left) have
Ryden Bike Geometry Tool
an impressive amount of thinking behind them. Available in 2mm and 3mm thicknesses they can then be pinned
This inexpensive tool (pictured, above)
together to create a full range of thicknesses from 2mm to
uses the power of your smartphone and
10mm or beyond. They are also precurved and chamfered for easy
its in built inclinometer to work out the XY dimensions of a rider’s position.
cleat entry.
It’s in the development phase right now,
More details at www.form-
but a full test will be appearing in the
bikefitting.com
next issue of International Bike Fitter.
Kits from RRP £12
RRP £45 plus P&P
Deda Jet One extensions With a lot of the world tour teams now using 3D-printed extensions on their TT bikes, costing into five figures, it looked like the amateur rider wouldn’t be able to benefit from this level of aerodynamics. These Deda Extensions (pictured, right) fill that gap though, and are shaped perfectly to conform to a rider’s arm, reducing any negative pressure zone. The clip-on version can be set to any angle on a regular base bar, giving full versatility for any position. RRP £759.99
Interested in getting your product featured? Send details to lee@ibfi-certification.com Being featured on this page is not an endorsement by the IBFI
A NEW WAY TO LEARN
The IBFI’s new e-learning platform will offer fitters greater flexibility when it comes to choosing education providers and breaking their learning into bite-sized chunks.
E
-learning has been growing for years. It’s a
Whilst the online content could be delivered in
great way to fit courses around your busy
person — and that’s an option some education
lifestyle and take things at your own pace.
providers may explore in the future — the in-person
But it has its limitations, especially for subjects that
content just isn’t well-suited to the online learning
are a little more practical. It can be hard to learn a
environment.
new skill online, when you can only see things from
The skill of bike fitting is much better learnt by
one direction, and you often can’t ask questions
seeing and feeling it in person. But that doesn’t
and interact with the instructor.
mean we can’t learn a lot of the knowledge-based
The pandemic really pushed e-learning into the
material online. That’s where the IBFI’s new e-
spotlight, as travel was almost impossible and
learning platform comes in.
group classes inside just weren’t safe. Thankfully,
masks, PPE and vaccines are all playing an
IBFI e-learning platform
important role in getting things slowly back to
Our new website will be split into five sections, one
normal. But e-learning is here to stay, and bike
for each of the four course levels, and one for
fitting needs to adapt.
additional CPD courses that sit outside the
That’s why the new common syllabus allows for
common syllabus. Unlike a standard e-learning
half of each module to be delivered online. As part
platform, ours is programmed to know which
of the new system, the IBFI will be providing
courses meet which criteria — meaning you only
recognised education providers with an e-learning
need to attend one course from level 1 to unlock
platform to list their courses on the web.
the courses available at level 2. And with
everything being on the same platform, we can easily manage the assessment process and ensure every course within the same level uses the same assessment. You won’t be able to just sit at home and rattle through the online content though; after completing the online part of a level, you’ll need to complete the in-person component before the system will unlock the next round of online courses.
• Support live chat features allowing regular support sessions with instructors • Allow students to rate courses using a 5-star system • Use the same login as your IBFI account (coming soon) • Allow downloadable content like course brochures, presentations and notes • Include community chat where you can discuss
We’re also working behind the scenes to update
your learning with other students
our main IBFI website. There’ll be a single login
• Offer courses in multiple languages
across both sites and data on qualifications will be
• Offer additional CPD courses on topics outside
shared straight onto the find-a-fitter map. Within 24 hours of completing a course, the e-learning platform will update your map listing to reflect your new level of certification. You’ll also be able to edit your own map listing more easily and add more photos and information. The new e-learning platform will:
the standard syllabus This new website will help both fitters and fit educators: Fitters across the world will more easily be able to access additional, high-quality education content that counts towards their IBFI certification. Meanwhile, fit educators will have a platform to take their courses global and access a broader range of
• Handle all course payments
students — not just those who live locally or are
• Automatically grade assessments for level 1
willing to travel.
courses
The website will be launching in the coming weeks
• Issue certificates upon passing the assessment
so keep an eye on IBFI’s social media channels for
• Easily track your progress between sessions
more details. It’ll also contain a section for
• Allow for course material to be added as text,
Continued Professional Development (CPD)
slides, videos and even streamed content
courses, allowing for a wide range of topics to be covered.
FAQ
A
s you’ve no doubt gathered from the
370 hours, while Diplomas cover courses over
previous pages, the new IBFI education
370 hours.
syllabus is a big step up from anything
currently available in the bike fitting industry. It covers a broad range of topics and progresses through to subjects rarely taught but that are incredibly important for inclusivity, like ParaCycling. Everyone should be able to experience the joy of riding a bike, and that module in particular is a huge step in that direction. But it’s a big and complex change, so we’re
You may have noticed through the syllabus pages that each module has a number of learning hours associated with it. Guided learning is actual contact time, while total learning includes selfguided learning, like additional reading around the subject, going over your notes and time spent thinking about and processing the new concepts. The IBFI will work towards becoming an issuing
sure you’ll have lots of questions.
body under the QCF, meaning that
Here’s a quick guide to some of the
students who complete all four levels will
more common questions we’ve been
be able to receive a Diploma in bike fitting.
asked so far.
If we manage to get to that stage, colleges and universities across Europe (and
Why are the courses so much
hopefully several other parts of the world)
bigger?
will recognise the qualification and may
The European Qualification
offer university credits in
Framework (EQF) helps us define the difficulty
acknowledgement of recognised prior learning
of a course and the level of complexity, but it
(RPL).
doesn’t mention length. You can do a short course at a higher level, or a long course at a
How are the courses split?
lower level. So we decided to follow the
Each level is split into two modules, each with
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF),
equivalent to 3 days guided learning. One module
which splits courses into three categories:
will be more knowledge-based, and delivered
Award, Certificate and Diploma. Awards are any
online, while the other module will be more skill-
courses from 10-120 hours of learning,
based and delivered in-person.
Certificates cover courses between 120 and
The online content will be delivered by
In-person courses will be assessed by your
education providers on a learning platform
instructors, with the external moderation
hosted by the IBFI, which be launched at the
mentioned above. Instructors will be trained in
beginning of 2022. Students will be able to view
what to assess and how, and the student will
courses by their preferred provider by visiting
be asked to produce a folder of supporting
their landing page, or view all courses by
evidence. This may include questions and
visiting the homepage for that course level.
answers, photos of practical assessments, and
Regardless of which provider you choose,
explanations of decision-making processes.
every student at the same level will attend the same assessment, and only after passing that assessment will you be allowed to progress to the next level.
Level 4 certification may include in-person peer-review. This could become part of an assessment day tagged on the back of a conference or event, or be done virtually. We’re
Will you assess the in-person courses as
working hard to ensure that level 4 certification
well?
is the highest possible standard and something
Yes. You may have noticed there’s a teaching,
fitters will be proud to achieve.
assessing and mentoring lesson at level 4. All
Will this replace the old certification
courses delivered in-person must have at least
system?
one instructor who has attended this lesson, and all in-person assessments can only be carried out by instructors that have attended that lesson. The IBFI will then manage an external moderation programme, where roughly 1 in 10 course attendees will be
Long-term, yes, but there’ll be a grace period of at least two years where experienced fitters can still apply for certification based on the old credits system. How will the new system effect existing and experienced fitter?
selected at random to have their assessment
Existing IBFI members will retain their current
material from the in-person courses re-marked
certification level and be given time to work
by an external and independent assessor. This
their way through the online content at each
ensures that all course providers are assessing
level up to their current level of certification.
to the same standards.
This must be completed before they can
What will the assessments look like? Online assessments will follow a simple format. Level 1 will be multiple choice questions marked automatically by the learning platform. Level 2 will be open-ended questions, where you have to type in your own response, and will be marked by an IBFI assessor. Levels 3 and 4 will be assessed by a combination of openended questions and case studies, with IBFI and/or external assessors marking the assessment material.
access the courses at the next level, but they can attend in-person courses at their current level or below. If a fitter fails an assessment at any level, they’ll be given the opportunity to re-sit the assessment and support to help them bring their training level back in line with their certification level. Persistent failings may result in the IBFI lowering a fitter's certification level, but only as a last resort. Fitters will be given every opportunity to pass, and on-going support will be provided.
There are further details being discussed
that all level 4 fitters have completed the
currently that may impact level 4 fitters, but any
highest-level courses.
decision on that will be made in consultation with IBFI members. It has been proposed that all level 4 fitters be dropped back a step to level
I still have questions — who can I speak to?
3, meaning they’ll have to complete all the
You can email us at info@ibfi-certification.com
content at level 4 (both online and in-person) to
or look out for our AMAs on this topic, which
get back up to level 4. This was proposed given
will be promoted through the IBFI’s social
the huge step up in training material to ensure
media channels soon.
THE FITTERS’ FAVOURITES S
peedplay pedals have long been a
The next big thing for our line of pedals will be
favourite of bike fitters due to the ability to
the POWRLINK ZERO which will be in the
independently adjust fore/aft, medial/lateral
market soon.
and float along with multiple axle lengths to provide different stance widths. With the latest
What impact do you think the different
versions released by Wahoo, the new owners
centre of rotation on the Speedplay
of Speedplay, we spoke to Katie DuPree,
system has on pedalling efficiency and
Wahoo product manager for pedals and
biomechanical effectiveness?
sensors, to hear about the developments.
The rotational free float is a core value for Speedplay pedals. As with all biomechanics in
How do you feel you have improved on the
cycling, you want everything to be in
original pedals?
alignment and have a dialled-in setting for the
Wahoo expanded accessibility to Speedplay's
individual cyclist. The further your
adjustable float; it is now available in both
biomechanic settings are out of skew, the
Standard and Easy Tension Cleat systems,
more you increase risk of long term wear and tear, which leads to
rather than just Speedplay Zero cleats from the
discomfort and potential
legacy Speedplay line.
injury. The solid base and
The legacy Ultra Light
foundation of this bike fit lies within the pedal and cleat
Action cleats did not offer adjustable float. The Wahoo Speedplay pedal has been redesigned with a
system as a fixed point — the base — of your riding position. Having a solid,
sealed system that no longer requires greasing
connected, and aligned point in the pedals
and regular maintenance. The redesign has also
increases cycling efficiencies and thus leads
increased the durability of the pedals, and made
to improved cycling performance. Everything
the Speedplay pedal system easier to install with
builds upon that, so it's very important to start
hex wrench design.
with the best pedal system and having the adjustable float of the Speedplay system
What do you see as the main benefits of the
allows cyclists to have the best possible fit for
Speedplay system?
their specific body mechanics and comfort
The main benefits are dual-sided entry making it
needs.
easier to clip in and out and get on with your ride, 3-axis adjustability for dialling-in a perfect fit,
Will you still be offering multiple axle
rotational free float 0-15 degrees, low profile
lengths to bike fitters?
design for better aerodynamics, low stack height
Yes, Wahoo will be introducing multiple axle
for increased power transfer, walkable cleats, and
lengths for the Wahoo Speedplay Zero pedals
exceptional cornering clearance.
in the near future. Available lengths will be 56mm, 59mm and 65mm.
Any interesting new developments in the pipeline?
For more information, visit wahoofitness.com.
VELOMETRIK SMART COVER New bike fit products come to the market all the time, but how do you know which ones are worth buying? UK fitter Lee Prescott shares his thoughts on the Velometrik Smart Cover after trying it out in his fit studio.
T
here’s no doubt that the ability to
of the ischial tuberosity to determine width,
see exactly how the weight of a
while its saddle advice app lists over 1500
rider’s being supported by their
saddle models.
saddle is an invaluable tool for any bike fitter.
Whilst these are largely more conventional retail devices, it’s Velometrik’s
Saddle pressure mapping in realtime
smart cover that offers definite value for
can really shed light on how an athlete’s
bike fitting professionals, with its unique
pelvis is interacting with the saddle. What’s
features setting it apart from other pressure
more, it can really make the selection of an
mapping systems.
appropriate saddle a more data driven process as opposed to trial and error. Velometrik is a German company with a
The pressure mat itself uses embroidered silver threads so that sensors don’t have to be soldered into the mat. And
new suite of tools aimed at streamlining the
with 378 sensors, the readings you can
saddle selection process. Its Smart cube,
take have impressive resolution. This
for example, allows the pressure mapping
EASY-TOREAD: Results can be outputted for easy client presentation
manufacturing method also appears to be very robust whilst remaining flexible. One small issue we had was when using
In use the system works well and it’s quick to operate once the initial setup is done. The pressure readings we took were
this cover with small bikes, or those with the
consistent and showed a lot of the type of
saddle very low, it was difficult to prevent it
data you would want to see, such as
rubbing on the back wheel without standing
averages per quadrant, movement patterns
and holding it.
and max and min pressures.
The sensor mat is large meaning that
This version of the unit is priced at
you can fit it onto a multitude of saddle
€1700. Velometrik have a new cordless
types including very wide saddles, such as
version planned for 2022 which will transfer
those seen on Dutch roadster-style bikes
the data via Bluetooth and sample at 48
and E-bikes. To provide an easy-to-read
Hz. This will feed to web-based analysis
data screen rather than showing the entire
software which you can run on your studio
pressure reading you can create masks
PC rather than having to plug the
within the software that correspond to the
proprietary unit into a second screen. This
shape of the saddle being mapped.
is planned to retail for €2300.
The software is quite intuitive and the
There is no doubt the Velometrik have
results can be outputted for easy
got some big ideas and these first products
presentation to the client. This initial version
are an impressive statement of intent.
I tested has the software running on a proprietary mini PC that comes with the kit.
RRP 2023€
You simply plug it into a screen connect to
www.velometrik.de
the internet and you’re ready to go.
Opinions expressed in these reviews are personal and are not endorsements by the IBFI. Products in this article were purchased by the reviewer. If you are a bike fitter and have been using a new product you’d like to review, or if you are a company and you’d like to submit a product for a long-term review by qualified bike fitters, email lee@ibfi-certification.com
SETTING THE COURSE FOR BIKE FIT EDUCATION The IBFI Education Committee will take on the long-term development of the common syllabus. Here, we introduce you to the committee’s first five members, and outline how you can apply to join them.
T
o ensure the new common syllabus is something owned and run by the industry, the IBFI has worked with
Tony Corke – Torke Cycling Tony has worked in bike fitting for over 20 years, starting at Cyclefit
industry to create a new committee to
in London before moving over to
manage it, and continue its development.
the US to work with Paul Swift
The committee will be made up of eight
and Kit Vogel at BikeFit. He has
experienced fitters and fit educators, who
worked as a fit educator both for BikeFit
will help to keep the syllabus up to date
and under his own brand, Torke Cycling.
and ensure it remains at the cutting edge
He has worked for independent stores,
of bike fitting education.
chain stores and fitting studios in the UK
The first five members of the committee
and the USA. Tony helps to develop sales
have already been recruited and you can
strategies for bike shops using bike fitting
read about them here. The final three places
as their lead. He has presented on bike
will be filled using an application process
fitting to top dealers at the Giant Dealers’
outlined on the next page. This will ensure
Conference in the USA and to frame
that the committee isn’t pulled too far in any
builders at Bespoked UKHBS. He has been
one direction by large education companies,
International BikeFit Pro Instructor with
and allows for representation from a more
Paul Swift and assisted at Slowtwitch and
diverse cohort. These elected
ICS courses. Tony was SICI certified with
representatives will also work with members
Paraic McGlynn. He is an expert in custom
and seek feedback on how the syllabus could
bicycle design and building, and the
be improved, allowing every IBFI member to
constituent parts thereof.
have an input on the future of bike fitting
Tony’s courses, run through Torke Cycling,
education.
are some of the most comprehensive
courses available. By partnering with co-
pushes the envelope to discover new ways
instructors across Europe, Tony has
to help his clients. And having worked as
delivered courses in several different
the lead fitter for Movistar, Lotto Jumbo and
countries and in multiple languages.
the Spanish Olympic Team, those clients are some of the best in the business.
John Higgins – Fit Kit Systems
Jon’s interest in cycling biomechanics
John entered the world of bike
began in the late 90s, when working for the
fitting in 2007 while working for a
Basque National Sports Agency. Their
major outdoor recreation chain
understanding of cycling biomechanics was
selling bikes and attending an introductory course on bike fitting with Fit
limited so he was asked to undertake two research projects to help fill the gaps.
Kit Systems. This sparked a fascination and
Those papers, later published and
curiosity with the bike-body relationship,
presented at international conferences,
and a progressively singular focus on bike
sparked a new passion, and led to Jon
fitting. Following years of practice in the
launching Custom4.us – which offers
cycling retail world, John started an
biomechanical screening and consultancy
independent fit studio in 2014.
services in cycling and running.
Recognising that there is always more to
Jon teaches bike fitting courses to much of
learn on this topic, John has actively
the Spanish speaking world and
pursued continuing education from other
Custom4.us has expanded into an
leading fitters and fit educators, including
international network of fitters and fit
attending national and international
educators. Through his consultancy work,
conferences, and greatly benefitted from
Jon has also been involved in the creation
the IBFI mentorship program. John
of iconic products like the shark fin saddle.
acquired Fit Kit Systems in 2015 but
continues to work “in the trenches” as a full-time professional bike fitter, testing
Paraic McGlynn – Cyclologic After racing at Cat 1 level, Paraic
ideas and equipment, and gaining insight
moved into coaching, sports
and feedback from customers.
biomechanics, sports science, and
As a bike fit educator John brings to his
performance analysis. He spent
students a unique blend of experience,
time with both Cycling Ireland and the
including: a career background in corporate
French Cycling Federation, working
training and development; retail bike shop
towards National Coaching and Training
employee; independent fit studio operator
Centre tutor certification.
and fitter; industry supplier, and multi-
Paraic has a passion for technology and
disciplinary cyclist.
education, influenced by working for Intel’s
training department in Ireland and the
Jon Iriberri – Custom4.us
United States, and has a Graduate
Jon has been a leading innovator in
Qualification in Corporate Training and
bike fitting since the late 1990s.
Development. In 2000, Paraic relocated to
Often one of the first to embrace
the US and became co-owner of a retail
new technologies, Jon constantly
store in Arizona. He worked to develop a
more scientific approach to bike fitting,
Brazil. A keen sportsman, Marcelo has
sports orthotics, and developed cycling
participated in many different sports,
motion analysis methodologies. Prior to
including basketball, BMX, triathlon, and
founding Cyclologic, Paraic was a director
road cycling. He is also a highly decorated
of Serotta’s SICI Fit school and was active
Jiu-jitsu practitioner and teacher.
in the development of the world’s first
With a degree in Physical Education, and
Cycling Specific Wind tunnel.
another in Acupuncture and Chinese
Paraic has worked with elite cyclists and
medicine, Marcelo has a broad
triathletes from across the world and spent
understanding of the human body and
nine years as the lead fitter for Trek-
sporting performance. In his fitting career,
Segafredo. He also consults on product
Marcelo strives for balance and takes a
development for global cycling brands and
holistic approach to ensure no stone is left
runs Bike Fitter Supply, a multivendor
unturned. He has worked with some of the
website supplying bike fitting products to
best cyclists and triathletes in Brazil, and
the industry.
indeed from across South America.
Marcelo has a passion for learning and has
Marcelo Rocha – marcelorocha.com
gained several qualifications in bike fitting, including FIST, Serotta, Retul,
Marcelo is one of the leading fitters
Bikefitting.com and Guru.
in South America and has been
MarceloRocha.com offers training courses
fitting since 2002 when he was the first person to offer bike fitting services in his hometown, Brasilia, the capital of
to fitters across Brazil. Marcelo is an incredibly experienced educator, having delivered courses for Retul and Guru before setting up his own education centre.
Help shape future courses — join the IBFI’s education committee If you’d like to help shape the future of bike fitting education, why not join our committee? You’ll get a direct say in the future direction of the syllabus and work with the wider IBFI membership to provide feedback at committee meetings. HOW TO APPLY The application process is open to any IBFI member, you don’t need a background in education or training, but useful and related experiences outside of fitting will strengthen your application. To apply, simply send your CV to andy@ibfi-certification.com, outlining in the email the reasons you’d make a good committee member. We would love applicants from geographical regions not currently represented on the committee so preference will be given to applicants from outside the US and Europe. At least one place on the committee will also be filled by a female fitter, regardless of their geographic location.
MEET THE EDUCATORS ALREADY ON-BOARD Leading bike fitting educators from across the world have signed up to the new common syllabus, with more set to join soon. Here, we profile some of those offering courses in-line with the new curriculum.
'relaxed' state on the bicycle, giving the cyclist the most stability and the greatest potential to produce power. Amy Schultz is a licensed and practicing
Doctor of Physical Therapy. She also has an
Bike Fitness Coaching, California (USA)
undergraduate degree in kinesiology &
Bike Fitness Coaching approach bike
biomechanics and raced as a women’s elite
fitting from a biomechanical perspective
category 2 crit racer. Amy holds a certificate
and start from the fundamental belief that
as a Certified Strength and Conditioning
no two people are the same. Their
Specialist (CSCS) and currently works as a
courses teach that each bike fit is a
physical therapist at the Red Bull Athletic
unique experience and it’s necessary to
Performance Center.
work with the cyclist’s input to help them
achieve their perfect fit. The courses are written and delivered by Father and Daughter pair, Rick and Amy Schultz, who offer a great balance of biomechanics, coaching and physical therapy knowledge. Rick Schultz is a certified Cycling coach and has certifications in power-
BikeFit Physio, Essex and Cambridgeshire (UK) Charlie Holt is a Chartered
based training, LEOMO real-time motion
Physiotherapist and IBFI-certified bike fitter
analysis, and is a USAC Certified Skills
working in Essex and Cambridgeshire, UK.
Instructor. Rick's bike fitting beliefs focus
Charlie started thebikefitphysio.co.uk,
on placing the rider’s body into its natural
combining his physiotherapy knowledge and
SUPPORTING INSTRUCTORS
bike fitting skills to help cyclists experiencing
Dr Wendy Holliday is a Physical
pain find a position that allows them to enjoy
Therapist with a special interest in clinical
pain-free cycling again. Charlie teaches bike
bike fitting. After working in private practice
fitting through bikefit-training.com and has
for over ten years, she decided to pursue
developed several courses — his most
post-graduate studies with a focus on
popular being one designed specifically for
cycling biomechanics. Wendy’s passion is
healthcare professionals. Charlie’s approach
combining her PT experience with cycling
to bike fitting teaches healthcare
research to conduct clinical bike fits for
professionals to use their strengths, in
those who are either injured or
particular their knowledge of human anatomy
uncomfortable on the bike. Wendy has
and how the body moves, to enhance the
presented at numerous international
bike fitting services they provide.
conferences, including Science and Cycling,
He demonstrates how a quality biomechanical assessment can determine
Medicine of Cycling and ISCO. Wendy and Curtis are teaming up to
what position you think about putting a
offer online and in-person bike fitting
cyclist in, and delves into developing
workshops. The aim is to provide content
personalised home-exercise programs to
that enables bike fitters to assess cycling
help cyclists address muscle weaknesses. To
clients on and off the bike confidently. Their
Charlie, bike fitting isn’t a one-off session;
focus is on developing evaluation and
he teaches that it’s a continued process of
intervention skills and teaching treatment
working with the cyclist to improve their body
tools to improve the injured cyclist. Their
mechanics which will in turn, improve the
first offering is a hands-on practical
quality of the bike fit even further.
workshop in April.
Custom4.us, Bilbao (Spain) Curtis Cramblett and Wendy Holliday, California and North Carolina (USA) Curtis Cramblett is a Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) with over 15 years’ experience. He’s also a Certified Functional Manual Therapist (CFMT) and has worked with Garmin-Cervelo as a bike fitter and physical therapist. Curtis is a founding member of Medicine of Cycling and a member of the IBFI steering committee. He regularly presents at conferences across the world, including ICS and ISCO.
Custom4.us is the brainchild of Jon iriberri, who has been a leading innovator in bike fitting since the late 1990s. Jon has worked as the lead fitter for Movistar, Lotto Jumbo and the Spanish Olympic Team, meaning his clients are some of the best in the business. Custom4.us offers biomechanical screening and consultancy services in cycling and running. They also consult in sports medicine and offer coaching services, along with online courses in bike
SUPPORTING INSTRUCTORS
coaching, sport nutrition courses and fitting,
Cyclefit is active throughout Europe, and
training with power. With over 15 centres
partly beyond, but recognises the importance
across Spain, they’re one of the biggest bike
of personal contact and individual solutions.
fitting networks in Europe.
This is the reason they work so closely with
Jon teaches bike fitting courses, online
local specialists and experts who are close
and in-person, to much of the Spanish
to cyclists and can provide a unique, hands-
speaking world and Custom4.us has
on service.
expanded into an international network of fitters and fit educators. They now offer bike fitting education across most of Europe and South America. Jon has also presented at conferences across the world and is a great role model for elite fitters, always willing to share his knowledge and speak openly with
Cyclologic, Scottsdale, Arizona (USA) Cyclologic started as a fit-first retail store
colleagues and peers.
and quickly expanded into cycling analysis education and technology development. It’s education arm now offers courses in over 15 countries and half a dozen languages and is growing constantly. Cyclologic’s sister
Cyclefit, Hamont (Belgium) Cyclefit is part of Innovative Cycling BV
company, MOTIONMETRIQ, is one of the biggest video capture companies in bike
and was founded in 2013. Cyclefit’s mission
fitting and continues to push the boundaries
is to give as many cyclists as possible more
of what’s available to bike fitters.
cycling pleasure. This is achieved through
Head fitter, Paraic McGlynn, has worked
the development and distribution of bike
with professional teams like Trek-Segafredo
fitting products, software and services to help
and the US Olympic Triathlon Team, along
with the determination of a comfortable and
with a host of elite-level cyclists and
sustainable cycling position.
triathletes. He also works as a product
Cyclefit is based on real solutions, and
consultant with Purely Custom and was
independent, honest advice for all cyclists.
heavily involved in the development and
As knowledge is considered the most
implementation of Trek’s in-house Precision
important aspect for independent retailers,
Fit courses.
Cyclefit spends a lot of time and energy on
Cyclologic offers comprehensive training
training courses and sharing its knowledge.
on cycling analysis, passing on knowledge
Covid presented a real challenge for bike fit
gained by working with professional teams,
educators, but Cyclefit showed great resolve
medical support staff and international bike
and innovation in hosting an incredibly
brands. It partners with industry leaders and
successful series of webinars.
innovators like MOTIONMETRIQ, gebioMized
SUPPORTING INSTRUCTORS
and Purely Custom to develop some of the best analytical tools available.
Marcelo Rocha, Brasilia (Brazil) Marcelo is one of the leading fitters in Fit Kit Systems, Salt Lake City, Utah (USA) Formed in the early 1980’s, Fit Kit Systems is the longest running bike fit education and equipment supplier in the United States. Many notable fitters of today got their start with a bike fit course from Fit Kit Systems, and many bike shops progressed their bike sizing, sales, and fitting with the use of products and protocol from Fit Kit Systems. Fit Kit Systems pioneered the use of body segment measurements as a metric of relevance for bike sizing and fitting; resolved a plague of knee pain issues with the Rotational Adjustment Device when cleatpedal systems were first introduced, and developed software for documenting bike fits when personal computers first started showing up in bike shops. Today, Fit Kit Systems continues to be a small, innovative and independent supplier. It offers : • practical, hands-on fitting tools and
South America and has been fitting since 2002. He has a thirst for knowledge that has taken him across the world to continue his development as a bike fitter. Marcelo has always been keen to share what he learns as well, which makes him a great instructor. In fact, bike fitting isn’t the only area where Marcelo teaches. He is a highly decorated Jiu-jitsu practitioner and teacher. With a degree in Physical Education, and another in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, Marcelo has a broad understanding of the human body and sporting performance. In his fitting courses, he strives for balance and takes a holistic approach to ensure no stone is left unturned. Marcelo has gained several qualifications in bike fitting, including FIST, Serotta, Retul, Bikefitting.com and Guru. He is an incredibly experienced educator, having delivered courses for Retul and Guru before setting up his own education centre. MarceloRocha.com offers training courses to fitters across Brazil.
supplies for both fitters and cycling enthusiasts, offering both in-house and distributed brands • revised and updated educational content online and in person, with a focus on
Physiohaus Bike Fit Education Centre,
foundational concepts and skills
Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK)
• bike fit documentation software with client reports.
Physiohaus use their background in Physiotherapy to deliver evidence-based, practical training in a small group
SUPPORTING INSTRUCTORS
environment utilising a variety of tools,
fitting courses both for BikeFit and under
technologies and approaches.
his own brand, Torke Cycling.
Lead Instructor: John Dennis MCSP John worked as Lead Instructor with Retül
By partnering with co-instructors across Europe, Torke Cycling are able to deliver
from 2010 to 2016 and has vast experience
courses in multiple different countries and
teaching bike fit classes, from basic fit
several different languages.
principles to advanced motion capture. He
Tony’s expertise in bicycle design and
developed course curriculum and led on
background in retail and sales adds a
development of courses for medical
unique, practical dimension to the advice
professionals and the management principles
and support he offers course participants.
behind cycling related injuries.
Torke Cycling Bike Fitting training adds a
Instructor: Morgan Lloyd MCSP
new level of understanding to the bike
Morgan has significant experience
fitter’s work, helping them to deliver
working with most of the world’s best bike
incredible customer satisfaction and
fitting tools and technologies, and experience
facilitate better client-fitter relationships for
in setting up and starting a bike fitting
improved outcomes. Torke Cycling training
business. His own bike fitting education
is brand-neutral and suitable for developing
journey started at Cyclefit in London where
bike fitters working with all systems.
Morgan helped to develop and implement the
Tony is also Partner and Head of
Trek Precision Fit education program, train
Cycling Dynamics for Spoon Customs and
educators across Europe and lead training in
helps to develop custom geometry bicycles
the UK.
for clients around the world.
Between them, John and Morgan have
Bike fitters, physiotherapists, coaches
been involved in fitting pro cycling teams
and athletes from across the world use
such as One Pro Cycling, the Great Britain
Torke Cycling methods to optimise both
Cycling Team, Orica Greenedge, Europcar,
their own riding positions, and those of their
Team Sky, MTN Qhebeka, Geox, Colombia
clients.
Pro Cycling, WNT Pro Cycling and Radioshack, as well as numerous pro triathletes on the ITU and Ironman circuits.
Torke Cycling, Bath (UK) Torke Cycling is run by Tony Corke, who has over 20 years’ experience working in bike fitting. He has worked as a fitter in the UK and US, and has experience running bike
BECOME PART OF THE NEW EDUCATION SYSTEM If you’re a bike fitting education provider and want to find out more about running courses in-line with the new education syllabus, get in touch by emailing: andy@ibfi-certification.com
Get involved with the IBFI’s magazine
H
ave you ever wanted to have a go at writing
editing, collecting
an article? Is there a subject you’d love to
photos, and coming up
share with bike fitters around the world? Do
with ideas for features.
you want to get more involved with the IBFI? If so,
We’d also like help with
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THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTURE IN BIKE FIT
In his IBFI mentoring assessment, Utah-based Australian fitter John Higgins of BikeFitr and Fit Kit Systems, explains why good posture matters when it comes to comfort and sustainability.
R
egardless of whether we are sitting,
measurements oversimplify the postural
standing, walking, running, sleeping, or
presentation of the person. A cyclist may exhibit
cycling, the influence of gravity is ever
the same position as defined by joint angles, but
present. Posture is how we align and hold our body
present with a notably different posture – with
to counter the relentless force of gravity. The
implications for energy efficiency, comfort, and
central focus of posture is the alignment of the
performance.
pelvis and spine, which together provide the foundation for the movement of the upper and lower extremities. From a bike fit perspective, it is worth
Benefits of optimal posture A cyclist’s posture on a bicycle may be viewed as qualitatively optimal or suboptimal. Their
considering how a cyclist might best align their
posture will be either helping or hindering overall
pelvis and spinal column to function at an optimal
comfort and performance through the following
level on the bicycle. Posture is not the same as
attributes:
position. Position takes into account the arrangement and movement of the upper and lower
• Balance A key role of optimal posture is to align
limbs in relation to the spine, and to each other. A
the body to function and perform well in the
cyclist’s position is commonly defined by joint angle
presence of gravity. Hence, having the
measures, and indirectly documented by bike set
rider’s centre of mass balanced over
up measures.
the primary fulcrum point of the
Although the use of motion analysis can
bicycle will help optimise
provide comprehensive data and useful insights
muscle recruitment and
into a cyclist’s position and function, point-to-point
handling responsiveness.
If the rider’s centre of mass is balanced over the
on a bicycle, other than through the metrics
bike, then small postural changes can be more
provided from their cycle computer. With the
easily deployed for the demands of different riding
exception of some high performance programs, the
situations, such as climbing, sprinting, cornering,
culture of cycling has not embraced skills-based
and descending.
feedback and coaching, other than the skill of
• Airway and breathing Optimal posture
getting faster by getting fitter. Many cyclists do not
contributes to the maintenance of an open (vs
know how they should be situated on a bicycle, and
restricted) airway to enable full use of the lungs. A
how to align and use their body to best effect for
sub-optimal posture will restrict the airway, limit
comfort and performance.
the mobility of the ribcage, and inhibit the action of
• Equipment choice Many cyclists present with
the diaphragm. Effective gas exchange is
poor posture due to subconscious compensations
necessary to fuel the muscles to drive the pedals.
for unsuitable equipment choices. The saddle is a
• Muscle recruitment Postural alignment informs
frequent culprit and is a critical piece of equipment
body position which affects muscle recruitment. We are looking for a balance of anterior and posterior muscle activity from the hips and lower limbs to drive the pedals, while
because many postural compensations result from a poorly supported pelvis. However, the list is extensive and also includes seat post setback, crank length,
minimising unnecessary or
stem length and angle, handlebar
compensatory upper body muscle
dimensions, and most fundamentally, the
recruitment.
underlying bike frame geometry and size.
• Neural Transmission Optimal spinal alignment
• Bike fit position This refers primarily to saddle
minimises the risk of nerve impingement to both
position (height, setback, angle) and handlebar
the upper and lower limbs, supporting full neural
position (reach and drop) for the cyclist. A person
activity which is needed for maximal muscle fibre
can present with a good position as defined by
recruitment and sensory feedback.
normative joint angles based on static or dynamic
• Efficient energy use The summation of the
measurements, and yet exhibit signs of suboptimal
above factors will reduce the amount of energy
posture.
used in maintaining postural compensations,
If a fit position is determined and set up without
extending the time taken to reach a state of
considering posture, the rider may be locked into a
fatigue. Poor posture likely hastens the onset of
position of ongoing postural compensation. If they
fatigue for any given fitness level.
subsequently attempt to adopt a position of
• Ongoing participation For injured or older
improved posture, the fit position will make it
cyclists with medically diagnosed spinal
harder, not easier to maintain. A ‘good fit' is not a
conditions, the ability to maintain optimal posture
good fit if it only takes into account position as
while riding is critical to being able to continue
defined by joint angles.
riding pain-free and without further aggravation to
• Foot-pedal interface An important subset of both
their condition.
equipment choice and the bike fit position is the choice of cycling shoe and related internal foot
Contributors to suboptimal posture
support, and external cleat position and
• Postural self-awareness The vast majority of
modifications. Dysfunction in the stability of the feet
cyclists are unaware of how they look and function
on the pedals can have kinetic chain ripple effects up to the pelvis and spine.
• Pre-existing conditions These include leg
significant, and so on. In this model, an area such
length differences, spinal conditions (scoliosis,
as the foot-pedal interface might be revisited
spondylitis, stenosis, disc compression, fractures,
multiple times at different stages, instead of trying
and fusions), overuse injuries, and carryover
to do everything at once.
effects from prior accidents or surgeries. Any of these may produce postural compensations as
The primary interventions used in the bike fit
the body seeks the line of least resistance to
process are:
operate the bicycle.
Awareness raising First is discussing the importance and benefits of adopting an optimal
Bike fit interventions to promote optimal
posture on the bike. I liken this to being in a
posture
position of ‘athletic readiness’ in order to function
Incorporating a postural-centric approach into
and perform well. This is equally applicable to any
an existing bike fit process may require a shift in
other sport, so if I have determined the cyclist is
mindset and process. The process begins with a
also active in other sports, I will reference those for
pre-fit interview and off-bike posture, gait, and
an analogy.
functional movement assessment, followed by an examination of the
The intellectual concept is made more powerful with visuals, and the best visual is for the cyclist to
current bike presentation and set
see themselves on the bike via video. I primarily
up. Once the cyclist is on the bike,
use the side view, but occasionally will use rear
begin with a global impression of
view to show pelvic instability, or front view to
their overall posture and
illustrate leg alignment. Often the cyclist does not
relationship to the equipment. If postural compensations are present, move to
know what to do on the bike to improve their posture, so we start off the bike.
more specific assessments to flush out probable
Off-bike coaching I will have a good idea of the
causes. This may include position assessments,
person’s postural positioning potential on the bike
pelvic stability, saddle pressure mapping, centre of
through previous assessment of their standing
mass balance, frontal plane knee tracking, and
posture, gait, strength, and mobility. To translate
deeper questioning of the rider. The purpose of this
this onto the bike, I find it helps to start with a
information gathering phase is to build up an
postural movement sequence off the bike. From
evidence case to present to the cyclist and to
standing, I introduce and guide the rider through
hypothesise likely interventions. This is not ignoring
hip hinging, spinal stabilisation, core, and shoulder
the cyclist’s reason for a bike fit, be it performance
engagement.
gains or relieving discomforts. These specific
In addition, I want the cyclist to achieve a
objectives or issues are addressed within a
balanced weight distribution fore-aft, and balanced
postural context.
recruitment of the glutes, hamstrings, and
The traditional bike fitting process follows a
quadriceps while in hip and knee flexion. Initially,
linear sequence of adjustments to the shoes/cleats,
this is done with the feet side by side, and then with
saddle, and then bars. A postural-centric approach
one foot in front of the other to simulate being on
takes the form of a ‘cascading triage’ model, in
cranks. This is done with live video feedback from
which the area of highest need and impact is
the side so the person can see their movements
addressed first, followed by the next most
and posture.
On-bike coaching Back on the bike, I have the
and then slouching on the couch, the posture-
cyclist apply and practice the same techniques,
aware cyclist will focus on adopting a position of
principally hip hinging and by lifting and leading
‘athletic readiness’ and in doing so will likely
with the sternum to prevent excessive thoracic
enhance their performance, as well as mitigate
flexion. This may be supported with hands-on
common cycling aches and pains.
physical cuing to help rotate the pelvis, relax the
In addition to increasing proprioceptive and
back or engage the shoulders or core. I’ll have the
mental awareness, some riders will benefit from
person ride with live video feedback so they can
a program of exercises to improve posterior
experiment and connect what they feel with what
chain and spinal mobility, and core and glute
they see. The person needs to understand where
strengthening and activation.
they need to be on the bike, and how to get there, and your guidance may be needed for this. Equipment selection and positioning At this
Conclusion Advances in the accuracy and use of
stage, the bike fitter will be determining whether the
technology for bike fitting has swung the
existing fit related equipment on the bike is suitable
pendulum toward a strong focus on data
or should be changed, as well as working to refine
collection and analytical thinking. By focusing on
the rider’s position such that it supports the practice
the cyclist’s posture, the bike fitter can blend
and maintenance of optimal posture. Everything is
qualitative observations together with quantitative
up for revision, including the bike itself, but
data to achieve a superior outcome. The best
common candidates are changes to the saddle,
bike fitting outcomes involve attention to the
saddle positioning, cleat positioning, and handlebar
interactions and interdependencies of posture,
positioning. The primary contact points are
position, and contact point management.
manipulated to allow the person to ride in a non-
• This article is an edited version of a paper
compensatory manner.
presented to the IBFI by John Higgins as a
Assign homework Work with the cyclist to find
requirement for attaining Level 3 certification.
one or two mental or physical triggers that
John was mentored by IBFI Level 4 fitter
they can take away and use to cue themselves into having an optimal
Happy Freedman. Additional thanks to Dr. Andrea Myers for providing peer review. If
posture for specific riding situations
you’re a Level 3 or 4 certified fitter and
(climbing, descending, cornering,
would like to become a mentor, email
etc.). Instead of climbing onto the bike
mentoring@ibfi-certification.com.
PRODUCT RECALL NOTICE Due to a recent single reported failure incident, FORM Bikefitting has initiated a cautionary recall of all their 16mm titanium pedal extenders. At time of publication of this notice, no information was available as to the cause of the failure. Use of this product could result in failure leading to loss of control and injury. If you have sold, fitted or are using a set of these extenders:
- stop using them immediately - inform any clients who have them fitted to stop using them - contact FORM or your distributor for further info on what to do All purchases of this product will be refunded. Contact FORM at contact@form-bikefit.co.uk RECALL DATE 11/11/21
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