The question is how common are leg length discrepancies? So far this week I have seen a 70% of fits requiring the use of leg length shims. I want to thank Steve Hogg for thinking out of the box and making a solution to address this common problem. What do I look for and what does jump out? What really jumps out is how uneven the saddle is; one side is usually more compressed/lower than the other.
In the even the saddle is brand new the other clue I look for is leg extension ... especially when the saddle is new and the client is complaining about lateral lower back pain and or hip pain.
While the Gmeter is marked with a nice green area indicating the range for an ideal saddle height, when the difference is 5 or more degrees I start to thinking about a possible discrepancy.
Testing the assumption is easy; just put a leg length shim under the shoe and ask for feedback. The words you can hear a client scream or utter are " ... I feel even and balanced" or "I feel as I am not reaching as much now" or "I went out for a long ride and for the first time my lower right back and hip has not hurt" or "I am now feeling the same amount of pressure on the saddle !" One client this week had such a good feeling of being balanced that he said "maybe now I can ride without my hands as I have never been able to do so because my bike would veer to the right!" which then led me to think why did he not mention this during the pre-fit interview?
Let's hear how you test for leg length discrepancy on the bike!
Wedge average count thus far this week: 15 wedges in 4 fits = 3.75 wedges/fit
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If the gmeter gives you an indication that there is leg length inequality, how do you get the precise difference (and for that matter, how can you accurately tell if it's in the tibia or femur or combintation?) -John
ReplyDeletefor accuracy an xray is the best way!
ReplyDeleteMy physical therapist determined that my left leg is 10-15mm shorter than the right. I have constantly had saddle sores on my right sit bone. Would this be related? I recently shimmed up the left shoe, but being the off season, I won't be doing any long rides for several weeks (too cold).
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