Update #2 From London.

Below is a synopsis of the day here.
We  started with a session led by a Physiotherapist who has worked with the British  Olympic program and Team Sky. He had some interesting observations regarding athletes who are as he puts it micro-adjusters at one end of the scale and macro-adapters at the other. Confirming some of what we have seen in the fit room for years that some cyclists came adapt very readily and productively to moderate contact point changes, while others can feel a shift in performance from a millimeter change. The upshot being the athlete who is adaptable is "more robust and less likely to injury issues.

Kit Vogel presented an excellent review of her research of the last two years relating to the details and the cascading effects of pelvic assymetry on pedaling mechanics and position. The main element here is that basically due to the inherent complexity of the pelvic shape we are all asymetric in some aspect, which drivesome of the apparent leg length discrepancies, knee track variation and saddle discomfort issues.

The next presenter was Dr Nigel Stevens who is a cardiologist and cyclist who has been treating a number of cyclists and runners with an interest in the 40-60 year old group. The lecture was full of fascinating case studies which are too involved to recount here. His most interesting observation was that the sporting cyclist/athlete has a better long term general health prospect than the elite athlete who has pushed the limits of the body to the absolute maximum range in training and competition. Hmmmmm.


At the very end of the day a group from Germany went through a really neat set up they developed using pressure reading pads as a saddle cover and in the shoes. This is most impressive, not just the data acquisition aspect but the software they have developed that shows pressure variation dynamically. The system also shows the center of pressure and its movement. This group will then construct a custom saddle based on the pressure information. Price, well if you  have to ask...right now they think about 300 euros.  I don't know about doing the saddles but perhaps the pressure reading system will be a real possibility in a shop environment.

Ciao

Update from Colin.

As many of you know I am attending a bike fit symposium in London for a couple of days. The opportunity to discuss the art and science of bike fit with other professionals involved in relevant research, process and product design is very rare. Over the years I have made a point to be involved with  just about every fitting seminar/symposium available. So when I saw the list of lecturers for the next two days, I knew these would be  intense and productive sessions. Specific elements regarding pelvic tilt and twist are to be addressed from both a pedaling mechanics aspect and saddle fit and comfort perspective. I certainly expect this discussion will contribute to further refinements in our fit process. Many other topics are to be covered regarding almost every part of the biomechanical to bike interface.
The symposium is being organized by the Cyclefit shop here in London. I was a bit chagrined to find their started fitting seriously in 2001. Cyclefit has worked hard to create awareness of proper bike fit here in the U.K. just as Cronometro has in the states. By the time the Bicycle Guide article featuring our Dynamic fitting methodology came out in 1997 Cronometro had been fitting cyclists for 8 years. While Cyclefit might be a relative newcomer to the fitting scene, they have worked very hard to connect with the active research and associated medical community as they too continue to expand and improve the state of the art regarding bike fit.

Two very stimulating and productive days lie ahead as well as a pint or two......


I am sending along two photos of a couple of riders in the rain (Wed,) for your amusement

Colin will be out of the store this week. He is attending the International Cyclefit Symposium in London on Wednesday and Thursday.

From the website:  "Cyclefit's International Symposium has guest speakers from around the world who are all in their own way leaders in their particular field. ICS is a unique event and the only occasion where all the disparate branches of cycling science and fitting community can come together for a collective learning experience." 

Colin arrived a little early and is taking in some of the sites of London. Check back- we will hopefully get more pictures and updates on how the Symposium is going.