Finding (and Fitting) the Perfect Bike for You

At VBT, we often hear from friends who are just getting back into cycling and have one rather personal question: “I love my E-bike, but I’m a little worried that something isn’t right. I’ve only ridden a couple times, but my rear end really hurts! Is that normal?” We’re happy to offer the reassurance—yes, it’s perfectly normal! If you haven’t done much cycling recently, the first few rides are bound to leave you with some tenderness in the posterior. Fortunately, the normal start-of-season saddle soreness is just a temporary annoyance—as you keep riding, your sit bones will soon get used to the saddle and the tenderness will go away. For this reason, a little time spent cycling before your VBT adventure is highly recommended—it allows you to get those aches out of the way ahead of time so you can enjoy your cycling vacation to the fullest.

If you haven’t ridden a bike in a while, you may be on the hunt for a road-worthy machine. Perhaps you have an older bike stuffed into a corner of the garage and are wondering how to get it on the road again. “First and foremost, I would recommend taking an older bike over to your local bike shop,” says Matt Lyon, VBT Field Operations Manager and experienced bike mechanic. “They’ll talk to you about what it would take to fix up the bike and get it up to speed. Unless you’re talking to somebody who can give you that expert advice, you may not know whether your 10-year-old cruiser is worth spending a few hundred dollars on in parts—or if it makes more financial sense to look into something new.” It’s important to remember that, as time rolls on, our bodies tend to shift and change—and a bike that felt great 10 years ago might not be a good fit today. Fortunately, there are plenty of adjustments that can be made to an older bike—but you’ll need some expert advice before you can decide what to fix, and what to let go.

Move Over, Pythagoras: Let’s Talk Bike Geometry

The geometry of a bicycle refers to the angle of the tubes and the position of the rider—and it’s changed a lot in recent years. “That older bike that we might adore for its style and history might not be the most comfortable bike to ride today,” observes Matt. “Many modern bikes are available with relaxed geometry—meaning you’ll ride in a more comfortable upright position. You can also find bikes with more aggressive geometry that you’ll ride leaning over in a more aerodynamic position. Those are faster and more efficient, but not every rider is comfortable in that position.” Some of the questions you might ask yourself before visiting your local bike shop include:

• Where are you planning to ride? On pavement, gravel, or dirt tracks?
• How do you want to be positioned on the bike? Sitting upright, or leaning over the front wheel?
• Do you prefer flat handlebars, or drops?
• What’s your budget?
• What are your cycling goals?

Depending on how you answer these questions, your local bike shop might steer you towards a hybrid, or lifestyle bike—or perhaps a mountain bike or a road bike is more suited to your needs. “A hybrid bicycle has wider tires, a bit slower geometry, more of a relaxed, comfortable feel for sure,” says Matt.  “But a road bike is going to be quicker.” With biking technology moving quickly, you’ll find plenty of innovative options to choose from. Try them out—and have fun!

E-bikes Aren’t Just Electric—They’re Also Bicycles!

At VBT we love E-bikes—we often call them the “equalizer bikes.” And while it’s true that E-bikes are a great way to level the playing field in terms of cycling strength, it’s also true that you do need some basic cycling skills to enjoy riding an E-bike. “To ride an E-bike, you still need to be able operate a bike safely—and you’re still going to get a workout,” says Matt. “E-bikes are a lot of fun, but it’s still important to practice those basic skills of bike handling—including balancing, turning, braking, and following the rules of the road.” Lots of local bike shops have E-bikes available to sell or rent—and you can potentially get them in any size, style, and configuration you might want. “If you’ve never ridden an E-bike, go to your local bike shop and check them out—maybe even take them out for a test ride,” Matt advises. “You can be as transparent as you want to be with the shop—because a good bike shop is going to be happy to answer your questions and help you, even if you’re not necessarily in the market to buy a bike right away. They know that if they provide great service, you’re more likely to go back to them for all your biking needs—and that’s good for business.” E-bikes are typically heavier than the analog bikes of yesteryear—and if you’re looking forward to your first VBT adventure on an E-bike, spending a little time getting used to the handling is a great way to prepare yourself to enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.

Go Ahead and Get Fit!

Whether you decide to buy a new bike, rent a bike, or fix up an older model, getting a bike fit is a great way to ensure your bike is tuned in to your body for the most comfortable riding experience. “You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a fancy pro-level bike fit to get the benefits of an expert fitting,” says Matt. “The pro cyclists are looking for maximum efficiency—making microscopic adjustments to reach their energy consumption goals. But for the rest of us, spending $300 on a precision bike fit probably isn’t necessary. A professional bike shop will be happy to fit you properly on the bike—adjusting your seat height and making sure you can reach the handlebars comfortably.” The benefits of a basic bike fit are tremendous—ensuring that the bike fits you well for your own individual body mechanics and goals. “There are trade-offs that can be made during a bike fit, depending on your own personal comfort and how you like to ride,” says Matt. “For example, many people want to be able to easily plant their feet on the ground when they stop, which might mean adjusting a seat post a little lower to allow that. And while that might mean sacrificing some efficiency in your pedal stroke, it’s well worth it if it gives you that level of confidence that makes cycling fun.” With the benefit of a solid bike shop in your corner, you can consider the pros and cons of different set up options to find the perfect ride for you.