Winter in the metro area is finally (finally) fading away and it’s time to ride bikes in the sunshine.

If you just treated yourself to a new bike, are experiencing any discomfort while you ride, want to go faster, or just haven’t had a bike fit in a while, now is the time!

When shopping for a new bike, the bike shop will likely give you a very basic fit analysis to determine what size bike you should ride. If you’re fortunate, they may help you set a proper saddle height after you make a purchase.

A more detailed fit with a professional goes well beyond setting seat height. At ACME, they offer “new bike” fits and “existing bike” fits. A new bike fit is proactive, and it will guide you in choosing not just the bike size, but all the supporting components and positioning of contact points on the new bike. Finding the combination of a bike frame, saddle, handlebar, and stem to all work perfectly for your ideal position is what ACME does best!

An existing bike fit helps to ensure the current bike you ride is set up to meet your goals. In addition to finding where your seat and handlebars should be, a fit can also help you choose a comfortable shoe, along with insoles and cleats. Even if you have an older bike that you’ve been fit on before, a fit can be necessary because our bodies change! We get stronger or weaker in some areas, and all the things we do off the bike can change how our bodies move.

Let’s break it down why a fit can be so important.

Rider Comfort

Once you fall in love with cycling, you need to feel comfortable on your bike so you are excited to ride your bike and feel good doing it. Things like hand, foot, and bottom numbness can ruin a ride and make you want to get off your bike. Adjustments to handlebar height, saddle position and type, cleat position, and grip type can help with numbness at all contact points.

Injury Prevention

When your bike fits you correctly, it reduces the risk of strain on your muscles and joints. Knee and back pain, for instance, can be mitigated or completely eliminated with a proper fit. It’s really incredible; a few millimeters here and there can make a huge difference in preventing injury!

Efficiency and Performance

When your bike fits you, you can pedal more efficiently which means that more of your energy goes towards moving you forward and not flailing about. Over time, this will improve your endurance so you can enjoy even longer rides and crush your competition.

What’s a fit like at ACME Bicycle Co.?

Getting a fit at ACME truly makes you feel like a VIP. They start with detailed measurements of your current setup, then test your flexibility and range of motion to understand how your body operates. Using a specialized “fit bike” that easily swaps between different geometries and saddles, they work with you to find a position that isn't just "proper" on paper, but genuinely feels great on the road.

ACME has been one of TBD’s biggest champions, and we are huge fans right back. I finally booked a fit after riding through some serious back pain and hand numbness all winter, and I kicked myself for not going sooner. James was incredibly attentive and explained every adjustment clearly. It was fascinating to learn so much about body and bicycle mechanics, but the best part was getting the personalized attention needed to finally ride pain-free. James also pulls a nice shot of espresso!