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The How-Tos of Mountain Bike Fitting

Fitting is a standard activity, when shopping for something to wear or to ride. For vehicles, the words "test drive" may be more familiar - but fitting and test driving are not the same, exactly. When you're mountain bike fitting, for example, you don't actually go around riding the bike: you just sit, grip the handlebars, and take your time getting to know the bike's dimensions, in order to see if it's the right fit for you.

You don't have to go anywhere when you're mountain bike fitting, although you should take the bike you've chosen on a test run, once you're sure. If a bike fails at the preliminary fitting stage, you shouldn't even test it out on the road at all! Just because a bike was made by a reliable manufacturer, or it comes with shiny high-tech features, it doesn't mean that it's right for you - and in such a case, it certainly doesn't mean it's safe for you to ride.

There are a couple of things you should consider during the fitting process:

1. Seat height. Mountain bikes have adjustable seats for riders of different heights. A vertically challenged may wish to lower his or her seat a bit - and should of course do so! The important thing is that the knees don't lock while one is pedaling. "Locking" is what happens when the knees are straightened out, and get stuck in that position for a second or two. This brief moment may prove fatal for a hard-edged biker.

2. Bike height. Regardless of the height of the seat, the height of the bike should be such that you are able to stand straight up on the bike, and still be able to plant both feet firmly on the ground. Bikes that are too tall or too short for your height would have an awkward balance, and might cause some straining of your limbs and back.

3. Saddle comfort. Some hardcore bikers refer to the seat on mountain bikes as "saddles." A saddle must not be too hard or too "cushy." Such seats may hamper proper blood circulation, and not only provide discomfort but may even be disastrous on long runs. It may seem trivial, but it is an essential step in mountain bike fitting!