Our new Self Leveling Laser for front and side view

Front view – knee over tow alignment
Side View - saddle fore/aft of each leg (never use plumb bob again)

Our new self leveling laser. Just set it down and turn it on. Projects vertical and horizontal line. For more information     http://bikefit.com/prodtools.php

Speedplay Information Pad.....what is this?

So how do I send my customer or patient to the local Speedplay dealer and make sure they get the correct length pedal spindles?

Get your Speedplay information pad ......available soon

more on 20mm pedal spacers

What is the issue with using them with pedals that are put on with an allen wrench as opposed to pedal wrenches?  Is it that you cannot get a tight enough contact between the pedal and the spacer?

I hope these pictures help in understanding why you need a pedal wrench. There is one other spacer I have seen with a thru hole that allowed room for a 6mm allen key to pass but the problem is all the pedals we work with require an 8mm allen key so the hole is not really useful.

SPECIAL - Good for October 18-20, 2010 - mention this blog and recieve $5.00 off an order on a set of 20mm spacers. Limit one set per person

No 20mm pedal spacers on carbon cranks...well most carbon cranks

Why do you not recommend 20mm pedal spacers with carbon cranks?
Thanks for the question. To be honest it is not so much that BikeFit recommends this but rather some manufactures do not support this.

This is a tough one for us to hold back with our actual thoughts but we will….for now.

This is what a few companies have told us. I may not have this word for word so do not hold us accountable to exact wording but here is a synopsis of a few conversations.

Use of 20 mm pedal spacers – what we think

Zipp –    Voids warranty
FSA-     Voids warranty on ALL their cranks … and they said they will void warranty even if you use a longer pedal spindle – now I did not get a range or what they actually consider a longer spindle as not all pedal widths are the same – most are close but again not all are the same
Truvativ – waiting for an update
Specialized – says they are OK if you use a 20mm pedal spacer on their carbon cranks.

So guess what I ride? I love my Specialized Tarmac S works with carbon cranks.
Right side - I go back and forth between a ½ inch longer spindle (Speedplay Zeros - which I actually pay for) or I use a regular length spindle and a 20 mm pedal spacer.
Left Side -I use a ¼ inch long spindle..

Hope I get to ride a Specialized for a long time!

Lower saddle on the track

Why do we see lower saddles on the track?

To preface this reply I need to mention this question came in reference to 6 day track cyclists.

In general - the shorter the track the lower the saddle. Also the higher the bars but that is for another topic.

Why? One reason is the smaller gears being used which also goes with the higher pedal cadence.

Even some so called experienced track cyclists have not ridden on a very short and steep tracks and really cannot answer this question. In a overly simplified explanation - Pedal harder on the straight s and easier thru the bends (turns) is the technique.  

The smaller gears and higher cadence allow for less pressure on the knee and therefore the cyclist tend to get away with a lower saddles and yet fewer pains/discomforts. A bigger gear combined with a low saddle would predispose cyclists to potentially more stress at the knee.

A new blog that brings up the topic is http://www.kingbikefit.blogspot.com/

from Auburn - more re-cap

This in from one of the fits in Auburn - Jeff also joined us on our pre "Has Been" day ride. Jeff was a tough fit and ended up with 2 LLshims and a single stack on one side in addition to his Cleat Wedges.

Paul

Thanks so much for taking the time to do a fit on me. I really enjoyed the time spent while you were doing the “fit” and the ride with you and the other guys at the shop afterwards. I rode 62 miles Saturday, 35 miles Sunday and another 35 on Monday, the fit feels great. Saturday I tried to make myself sit forward on the seat (you had said I sit way back off the seat) and by the time I got home from the ride it felt more natural, so Sunday and Monday it really felt good! Also I’m able to ride in the drops and on the hoods with a lot more comfort, and no aches or twinges from the knees either; I even noticed my cruising speed seemed faster.

Thanks again.

Jeff Dorminey

Montgomery, AL

Speedplay - Bike Fit Systems - Andy Pruitt - Cleat Wedges

Nice article on one of our favorite products, the Pro Fit Case by Speedplay which includes our Cleat Wedges, the only product not branded Speedplay in this case. Speedplay has advanced the world of bike fitting far beyond any other pedal company. You will also see mention in the article of our largest individual purchaser of Cleat Wedges over the past 10 years, Andy Pruitt. Congratulations to Andy for using our product and being mentioned as one of the world’s best known bike fitters.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/07/bikes-tech/speedplay-the-little-pedal-with-the-big-presence-in-the-tour_128526

Here is a photo of Paul and Richard the owner/founder of Speedplay talking about his award in 2009.

As we have said for years, proper bike fit begins at the pedal. Thank you Speedplay for also listing several of our top customers in this ad - click here www.labici.com.cn/cn/ad/ProFitAd_BicycleRetailer3.pdf 

Happy Pedals