If The Bike Fits, Ride It

ANCHOR LEAD IN:
MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH, AND ALL ACROSS THE NATION, THE NICE WEATHER IS PUTTING RIDERS BACK ON THEIR TRUSTY OLD SCHWINNS. BUT IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE WHO'S THINKING ABOUT GIVING UP THE PLEASURES OF TWO-WHEELING BECAUSE IT'S LITERALLY A PAIN - DON'T PUT THE KICKSTAND DOWN JUST YET. IN TODAY'S HEADS UP - YOU CAN GET BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN - PAIN-FREE.

TRACK ONE Length: :11
CATHYANN SWINDLEHURST USED TO RIDE HER BIKE EVERY DAY. BUT FOUR KNEE SURGERIES AND A TORN ROTATOR CUFF CONVINCED HER THAT HER RIDING DAYS WERE OVER. UNTIL SHE HEARD ABOUT BIKE FITTING...

SOT:
KEY @: :12 Cathyann Swindlehurst, Bike-fitting customer
"I researched a bunch of bike sites and found out about bike fitting and decided that I was the perfect candidate for it."

TRACK TWO Length: :07
MORE AND MORE CONSUMERS ARE DISCOVERING WHAT SERIOUS BIKERS HAVE KNOWN ALL ALONG - A CUSTOM FIT CAN MAKE OR BREAK A RIDER!

SOT:
KEY @: :25 John Schubert, Author and Technical Editor, The Adventure Cycling Association
"Finally people are figuring out that a bike that fits is the way to get a bike that you can have a lot of fun on."

TRACK THREE Length: :05
NO TWO PEOPLE ARE THE SAME - AND THE ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL BIKES AREN'T COMFORTABLE FOR EVERYBODY

SOT:
KEY @: :37 John Schubert, Author and Technical Editor, The Adventure Cycling Association
"A bike's supposed to feel good, like a well-worn pair of slippers."

TRACK FOUR Length: :07
WITH A HOST OF NEW BIKE-FITTING SYSTEMS MAKING THEIR WAY INTO BIKE SHOPS AND ONLINE, IT'S EASIER THAN EVER TO FIND A RIDE THAT SUITS YOU.

NATS Length: :03
"I want to make a slight adjustment to the seat height."

TRACK FIVE Length: :14
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS: KEY MEASUREMENTS ARE TAKEN OF YOUR BODY. THESE ARE SENT ON TO A BIKE MAKER FOR A CUSTOMIZED FRAME - BUILT TO YOUR 'SPECS'. MOST BIKE FITTERS THEN WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE IN POSITION...LIKE A PERSONAL BIKING 'COACH'.

SOT:
KEY @: 1:04 (covered)Tom Scotto, USA Cycling Certified Coach
"It's not only getting the bike that fits well for you, but also helping you adjust your body so that you're in the right position "

TRACK SIX Length: :05
BECAUSE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS ON FILE, THE BIKE CAN BE ADJUSTED OVER TIME...

SOT:
KEY @: 1:15 Tom Scotto, USA Cycling Certified Coach
"It's just like going into a doctor's office and having a history with them of everything that you've done."

TRACK EIGHT Length: :03
FOR SWINDLEHURST, CLIMBING BACK ON HER BIKE HAS BEEN A THRILL...

SOT:
NO KEY (Covered)Cathyann Swindlehurst, Bike-fitting customer
"My very first time was, oh I really like this, I love this feeling."

ANCHOR TAG:
CUSTOM BIKES CAN BE PURCHASED FOR AS LITTLE AS 500 DOLLARS - ABOUT THE COST OF A GOOD QUALITY 10 SPEED. IF THAT'S A LITTLE HIGH FOR YOU, SOME BIKE SHOPS WILL ALSO 'RETRO-FIT' YOUR CURRENT BIKE FOR AROUND A HUNDRED DOLLARS.

SOURCE INFORMATION:

John Schubert
Author Richard's Cycling for Fitness
and Technical Editor
Adventure Cycling Association
http://www.adv-cycling.org/features/index.cfm
610-282-3085
schubley@aol.com
cell: 610-393-7370

Bio: John Schubert is a former newspaper columnist, author of the Department of Energy's bicycle design manual, founder of Bike Tech newsletter, Bicycle Magazine editor and founder and executive editor of Bicycle Guide magazine, Schubert has written extensively on all aspects of this increasingly popular exercise form.

Tom Scotto
Quadcycles
1346 Mass Avenue
Arlington, MA
888-344-1274, ext 84
webmaster@escotto.net

Bio: Tom Scotto is a nationally certified biking coach. He does bike fitting for the Quadcycles team, the Tufts University Cycling Team and Quadcycles customers in Arlington, Mass.
http://www.quadcycles.com/

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND/SOURCE INFORMATION
How to Fit a Bike:
An improper bike fit can cause serious discomfort including things such as a numb bum, burning feet, stabbing knee or back pain, sore hands, achy shoulders and a stiff neck. While the information below can be very useful to make minor adjustments to your bike fit, we highly recommend that you take the time and money to have your bike professionally fit. In the long run, the extra expense may possibly save you from excruciating pain and permanent injury. You can have your bike fit at a reputable bike shop however, not all bike shops offer the same degree of expertise when it comes to bike fit. Always wear your bike shorts and bike shoes for a proper fit. http://www.caree.org/bike101bikefit.htm

Websites about Bike Fitting Systems:
http://www.cyclemetrics.com/Pages/FitLinks/bike_fit_links.htm
http://bikefitting.com/