What\’s this far-reaching subject?

\”Reach\” is an important aspect of bicycle fit. You don\’t need to  be all scrunched up because you\’re too close to the handlebars. It seems to me that this would mean being unable to pedal efficiently, or use your arms freely;  and to be unable to breathe fully and deeply.

Neither do you want to have to reach too far. I\’ve found out that reaching too far puts strain on the back of my neck, and on my lower back; and has an adverse effect on handling.

Therefore I was surprised to read this about top tube length. Maybe I shouldn\’t have been. What do I really know about bicycle measurements, after all? I think I had the notion that, if you\’ve got the correct frame size, everything else sort of falls into place.

Maybe I\’m not so far off. I\’ve learned a bit about the various frame geometries, though; that some are more \”aggressive\” than others. For example, a time trial bike\’s geometry is aggressive to allow the rider to get into the most aerodynamic position possible. A time-trial looks to me rather like trying to pedal while standing on your head! I bet that would make me dizzy.

My own road bike has a more \”relaxed\” geometry; the kind that puts the rider in a more upright position. It\’s called an \”endurance\” bike. If it weren\’t properly fitted to me; if I had to reach too far to the handlebars; long rides would be uncomfortable. So yes; I say that bicycle fit is a far-reaching subject.