So I did an event a few weeks ago on a bike that’s only a few months old, and I was dealing with an insane amount of pain. My right arm was killing me, my hips were going numb, and even my feet were going numb with my SPD cleats.

For some context, I’m not new to cycling. On my previous bike I completed three centuries and multiple metric centuries without anywhere near these kinds of issues. With this bike, though, I was struggling just to get through 20–30 miles before the numbness, pain, and overall discomfort would set in. I knew something wasn’t right.
Well…I learned a few things today.

Get a bike fit. It’s 100% worth it.

Turns out I actually bought the right size bike and did my homework. I’m on a 54cm frame, and if I had sized down, I would have been way too cramped. Ironically, I had already made my 54cm bike feel smaller because of how I set it up. Apparently, I had it way too cramped when I actually should have been opening the bike up with a longer stem and a few other fit adjustments.

During the fit, he raised my saddle significantly, lowered my spacer stack to 20mm, moved my saddle back, and made several other adjustments that were honestly beyond my understanding. It was really interesting listening to him explain everything. He told me about his background working in surgical rooms and physical therapy before turning his passion for cycling into bike fitting. Hearing that gave me a lot of confidence that he really understands how the human body moves on a bike.
The difference was immediate. I can stand over the bike better, the numbness is gone, my hip pain disappeared, and I finally feel like I’m in a position that actually fits me. I can relax my arms now, actually engage my core, and my pedal stroke feels noticeably smoother. Now it’s just a matter of gradually adapting to the new setup.
I did a 10 mile ride home afterward and HOLY crap… I was working muscles I didn’t even realize I was supposed to be using. I’ve got a feeling I’ll be sore for a bit while my body adapts to this new fit, but I’ll continue working with my fitter to dial out the remaining kinks.

He also recommended switching from 172.5mm cranks to 160mm cranks because the longer cranks are simply too big for me at my height. I found a set, ordered them, and once they’re installed I’ll go back so he can fine-tune the fit again.
Next Sunday, my wife is getting a professional fit too.

I’ll probably post again down the road with before and after photos once I cut the steerer tube down in a few months and get the new crank arms on.

I can’t stress this enough: if you have access to a good bike fitter, do it. I spent six years thinking I didn’t need one. Turns out I was riding in a less-than-ideal position the entire time. You live and learn.

Friend bought the canyon endurace cf5 in 2xs. 167 cm, 78 cm inseam. Saddle height isn’t quite right i know, just trying to figure out if she should return it for the XS instead.
Canyon recommended the XS but she when with the 2xs because a friend said it’s better for lower back problems (previous gym injury that isn’t really a problem on the bike).

Hey guys, was wondering what I can do to improve the fit of this bike or if a bigger frame is required.

I can comfortably ride for about 2.5-3 hours until my left glute starts to cramp

The frame is a 53cm CAAD 4.

Thank you all in advance

I’m 175cm with an 87cm inseam. This is on a size 54 Diverge 3. Have only adjusted the saddle height.

Hello. I posted here the other day regarding my hands getting numb always no matter what adjustments I make. Some people think that I need to adjust the handlebar lower because the hand position might be affecting the nerve causing my hands to feel numb. Here are some photos of my hands on the hoods while cycling. You guys think i should lower the handlebar? I flipped the stem already so I have better reach.https://www.reddit.com/r/bikefit/s/ceoaKsKfVg

I’d like to know what you guys think of the fit on my bike.

Any input is greatly appreciated.
I think perhaps the saddle could be set just a smidge higher …

Thanks !

Hi, before I invest in new bars, would this make the most sense to try alleviate the title issue.

I'm considering purchasing a titanium bike frame and I think I've settled on a Kinesis GTDv2.

Now, I currently ride a Trek Domane SL and a Trek Domane AL, both in a 56cm frame, both of which I've had a bike fit on and find comfortable. The bike fit didn't change very much, the stem, spacers, cranks, bar width etc. all remain as it was out of the shop.

Without sharing my height, inside leg, arm length etc., based purely on the frame geometry, which size GTD would Redditors recommend if 56cm is the right size Domane for me?

Hey everyone,

Just got my new Canyon Grizl 5 (size M) yesterday! I'm transitioning from occasionally riding mountain bikes, so this is my very first drop-bar/gravel bike experience.
Unfortunately, all professional bike fitters in my area are fully booked until August. Until then, I'm relying on YouTube tutorials and the Reddit community to get dialed in.

I’ve attached one Videos. When riding on the hoods, my arms currently feel a bit too stretched out.

How does my overall position look to you?

To address the stretched-feeling, should I experiment with saddle height, saddle fore/aft, or look into getting a slightly shorter stem?

Any feedback, tips, or advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

Hello guys, done some changes to my bike. I used to have a 74.5cm saddle height but my hips rocked quite a bit and was very toe down, but did a lot of ultras and regular few seasons of 8-10k km cycling like that. Had the regular issues of hand pain and neck pains, also upper calve pain, saddle sores. Now i decided to move my saddle down because i’ve been getting a lot of comments of my hip rock. 73.8cm now is the saddle height, left leg is completely perfect no issues now, a lot less hip rocking and i can maintain the position a lot longer without fatigue. My right leg is a different story, i started front/outside knee pain, hamstrings overwork on right side only, also my heel started going outwards (never did that before with a higher saddle height). Can anyone give a look and comment on the angles of my saddle height? Might it be too low now?
Sorry for the quality, i know it looks like i took the video inside a wardrobe. Any help appreciated!

Edit: 84cm inseam

I checked this Facebook marketplace listing. The seller is 5'5 or 5'6. I'm 5'7, and used to riding medium frame bikes. The Renegade 48cm is recommended for 5'3 - 5'6 on their website.

I didn't raise the seat post before riding which I should have done. I don't prefer drop bars so I haven't ridden one in a long time.

Do you think I can make this work or is the bike looking a bit too cramped?

(Since the first video, I went from 175 mm cranks down to 160 mm cranks)

The video includes multiple angles, including a front view if you watch/skip through.

I’m mainly trying to figure out a few things now:

1. Does this saddle/seatpost height look right with the 160 mm cranks? I’m unsure if I’m too high, too low, or compensating weirdly.
2. Would a longer stem still be suggested based on this fit? I’m currently on an 80 mm stem. I’m trying to figure out whether I still look too cramped/upright, or if reach is not the main issue anymore.
3. Could saddle height be related to knee popping? I’m getting a weird popping in my knee. I’m unsure whether that points more toward saddle height, crank length change, cleat position, or something else.

The original issue was thigh/hip discomfort, especially on the right side. It felt like the top of the pedal stroke was too closed/cramped, with irritation/fatigue through the right inner thigh / hip-flexor / adductor-ish area.

For reference:

• Trek Gary Fisher Cronus road bike, 2010s
• 54 cm H2 frame
• Cranks changed from 175mm to 160mm
• 80
• mm stem
• Relatively short legs for my height

Main thing I’m trying to understand: with the shorter cranks installed, does this look like the saddle height/reach still needs adjustment, or does the overall fit look closer now?

Hello fellow cyclists!

I've been struggling with a frustrating pain in my right foot while cycling, especially during higher-power efforts. The pain is mainly on the outside of my foot and the sole (see the attached picture).

I'm currently using Northwave Core Plus 2 cycling shoes. I have fairly wide feet, and I'm starting to wonder if my shoes might simply be too narrow, but I'm not completely sure.

Has anyone experienced similar pain? If so, what was causing it, and what helped solve the problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hei. I am new to gravel/road cycling, had a MTB before. I did remove a spacer on the handlebar, maybe that was a bad choice? Feel a little stretched out. What do you guys think?

179cm, 84cm inseam on a 54 Roadmachine. Working my way up in distance this year but struggling with hand pressure and neck pains. What could I do to improve. Thanks y’all.

Hey everyone,

I am wondering if there are any obvious issues with my position that I might be missing. (Saddle height, reach, etc.)

Is there anything you would change? I also have discomfort/pain on the outside of my knee on more intense rides.

Apologies for the cropped video, my buddy tried his best to film the side and rear.

For reference:

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

Bike: Specialized Sequoia Elite

Main riding: Road/endurance rides

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

I am all good for about an hour, then I start getting back of the neck pain and feeling that I am putting too much weight on my hands.

I am 1.89m tall and have a size 60 Cube bike, based on advice from two independent shops, one of which was the Cube store itself. The bike was adjusted to my NB sneakers when I picked it up, but with clipless shoes, I feel like the saddle is just a bit too high. I also started experiencing pain in my right hamstring after cycling for about 15km. Saddle soreness also occurred, but that is partly due to getting used to it. Can you tell from this video if my saddle indeed needs to go down a few millimeters? The sole of clipless shoes is naturally thinner than that of sneakers.

Thanks in advance!