Setting up drop handlebar bikes for young riders – Parts 1 to 4
25 April 2014
We see many children riding and racing in uncomfortable, inefficient positions – limiting their enjoyment of cycling and stopping them from performing well in races.
In this comprehensive feature we show how to set up a drop handlebar road, track or cyclocross bike for a young rider. Our guide tackles every stage of setting up the riding position in seven separate videos.
Watch Parts 1 to 4 here, then watch Parts 5 to 7 to complete the job.
1. Principles & Preparations
Part 1 includes…
- Principles
- Why “bike fit” is important
- Who is this guide for?
- Bike size
- Making gradual changes
- What to wear
- Where to work
- Taking care
- What you need
- Setting up the turbo trainer
- Rider warm-up
2. Foot Position
Part 2 includes…
- Clipless pedals & foot angle
- Anatomical differences
- Flat pedals
3. Saddle Height & Fore-and-Aft
Part 3 includes…
- Saddle Height
- Levelling the saddle
- Leg extension
- Taking account of shoes & pedal systems
- Measuring saddle height
- Taking account of the “Q-factor”
- Saddle fore-and-aft position
- Using a plumb line
- Effect on saddle height
- Checking the pedalling action
- Individual riding style
4. Handlebar Reach & Height
Part 4 includes…
- Adjusting handlebar height
- Setting the correct handlebar height
- Handlebar drop
- Setting the correct reach
- Measuring the reach
- Other factors
Now watch Parts 5 to 7 to complete the job.
Tags: Cyclocross, Featured, Road, Track