The correct cycling position with idmatch Bikelab

A Granfondo or Cyclosportieve is often a ride that takes five hours or more. Generally over hilly terrain or through high mountains. Then you better not suffer from aches and pains as a result of an incorrect position on the bike. That is why CYCLOsportive was happy to accept the invitation to get acquainted with the Bikelab in the CUBE Store in Vlaardingen.

A 3D camera measures the angles between all joints every second.

The navigation in my car has difficulty finding the CUBE Store in Vlaardingen. The place doesn't look special from the outside, but inside there is a lot to see in a very large space. The workshop is at the back of the business. Before you get there, you will visit all the products available in the CUBE Store. I am welcomed with coffee and Vlaardingen IJzer biscuits. After coffee we walk through the outlet to the Bikelab. Why was it so hidden away in the case afterwards? Is the lab that secretive? 🙂

idmatch Bikelab

In the idmatch Bikelab, the Smart Bike is prominently placed in the middle of the room. The bike fit will take place on this machine. Many avid cyclists will probably have had a bike fitting done before. But bike fitting technology continues to develop. That is why it is not wrong to consider whether your position on the bike is still correct. You could do that with the Ergoview system. In collaboration with Selle Italia, they have developed a number of products that together form the idmatch Bikelab. In this 'laboratory', the ideal position on the bicycle is determined by means of a high-tech bicycle measurement.

Bike fitting

The bike fit starts with a number of measurements (including a foot measurement) and scans. The cleats are also accurately adjusted (using a laser) based on the foot measurement. This data is entered into the computer and suddenly the Smart Bike comes to life. Based on my data and the data from 10,000 previous measurements, my profile is set on the Smart Bike. This is the starting point for the actual bike fit. I have to cycle on the Smart Bike for ten minutes. A 3D camera measures the angles between all joints every second. This is all easy to follow on the computer. The idmatch system automatically adjusts the height of the saddle while I cycle. Seat length and handlebar height also change continuously. Continue until the perfect posture is determined.

Report

Depending on the predetermined setting (racing bike, mountain bike, track, cross or time trial bike), a report will be released from the computer after the fitting. The bike fitter will use this information to work on my mountain bike. As it turns out, the saddle goes up 8 mm, and a few mm forward. The stem will be 4 cm shorter and I should actually install a narrower handlebar (or make the current handlebar shorter). They seem like small adjustments. But they can mean the difference between cycling with pain or without pain.

For whom?

I recommend everyone to have a good bike fitting done. Especially if you have been cycling for a while with complaints about your knees, back or neck, for example. Cycling in pain is simply not necessary. For cyclists with complaints, it is really a must to have a bike fitting done in, for example, the idmatch Bikelab. But I especially recommend to novice cyclists to get yourself properly positioned on the bike. Novice cyclists often do not think about the usefulness of a bike fit. Especially in this group, knowledge about proper adjustment is often limited. The risk of injury is high when cycling on a bicycle that is too large or on an incorrectly adjusted bicycle. This group will benefit most from a bike fit. But the seasoned cyclist, who already knows more about adjusting his bicycle, also benefits from a bike fit in the idmatch Bikelab from CUBE. Why? Every measurement taken is stored in the database. This way, the system continues to fill with profiles of cyclists and the bicycle can be adjusted more and more specifically and accurately. For the fanatical Granfondo rider it can be the difference between gold or silver. Moving the saddle slightly forward or backward can make it easier to pedal at a higher wattage. It does cost something. For 149 euros you will be properly placed on your bike in the idmatch Bikelab. It is worth the investment if you can cycle without pain, achieve your goals and keep the costs of the physiotherapist in your pocket.

You can book a bike fit in the idmatch Bikelab via https://www.id-match.nl/