Anyone taking on a challenge like the BIKE Mission 3000 must not only be physically fit, but also have access to customised equipment. A so-called bike fitting helps to harmonise body and bike perfectly. When it comes to the height of the saddle and cockpit, just a few millimetres can be crucial to being able to pedal 3000 metres uphill without any discomfort. This applies even more to the positioning of the cleats.
As part of a professional bike fitting, ergonomically optimised products such as saddles or grips are also recommended depending on the intended use. But there is more to the biker system. Gloves, shoes and insoles must also fit well to prevent postural problems, pain and discomfort in joints and muscles. How important is a bike fitting before a long tour, such as the BIKE Mission 3000, really? We asked a team of experts.
Our reports on the big BIKE Mission 3000 are already online:
An interview with the Ergon bike fitter, Dr Kim Tofaute
Kim Tofaute is regarded as one of the leading experts in bicycle ergonomics in Europe. He not only developed the Ergon Fitting Box, but also his own system for the perfect symbiosis of man and mountain bike. The bike fitting guru tells us what role ergonomics plays on a tour with 3000 metres of altitude.
BIKE: During the challenge, protagonist Albert has to cover 3000 metres in altitude. What challenges await him in terms of ergonomics?
Kim Tofaute: One problem is certainly fitness. But the body also gets tired much more quickly if the ergonomics and bike settings are not right. Seating problems, hands falling asleep or tingling feet can occur even on shorter journeys.
How do touring bikers benefit from perfectly customised equipment?
Touring bikers benefit above all from increased comfort at the contact points, but also in the back area. Many touring bikers are also older (e.g. over 50) and can use bike fitting to check and correct their movements. This is also crucial for the prevention of possible joint problems.
How do I find the best equipment as a newcomer to cycling?
As a newcomer, it's quite simple. There is a lot of information available online and in specialist magazines. Specialist retailers and bike fitters also provide valuable information. I would take a more critical view of well-intentioned tips from mates, who often pass things on in a simplified way. You can't usually go far wrong with well-known and recognised brands. Just make sure you choose the right product, set it up correctly and test it thoroughly.
What are the most important parameters for customising my equipment?
For most products, it is important that they fit the individual well. This means the right size, shape, type and gender, especially for products such as the saddle. But grips and pedals are also available in different sizes.
What are the most common mistakes that beginners can make when preparing for such a tour?
One of the most common mistakes is certainly that many beginners overestimate their fitness and performance and want too much at the beginning. But many beginners are also too naïve when it comes to setting up and equipping their bikes. Pain is often ignored until nothing works, according to the motto - it has to hurt! But if you have the right equipment and set-up, you have the right basis. Then you should get used to the bike and the strain with regular rides. With targeted training or even a training plan, efficiency increases and you can build up a better condition in less time.
What makes the challenge on the Eisjöchl special is not only the long ascent, but also the long descent. How important is ergonomics on the descent?
Ergonomics are also important on descents. With the right components and settings, the bike is more balanced and therefore safer to ride, and you also tire less quickly. After all, you have to get there in the end.
Interview with Dagny Hilpert
Dagny Hilpert is an ergonomics project engineer at Ergon. Together with Kim Tofaute, she forms a bike fitting team that has already helped many athletes to avoid pain and other ailments.
BIKE: In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges for a MTB beginner on a 3000 metre tour?
Dagny Hilpert: Challenges will not only be physical fitness or mental stamina, maintaining energy levels can also play a role during such a demanding tour. Good preparation is the be-all and end-all, because you don't ride 3000 metres of altitude out of nowhere. Gradually increasing your training will improve your fitness and also your self-confidence that you can master such a tour. The right nutrition is particularly important to ensure that your mental stamina does not suddenly collapse during the tour. During the tour, you should regularly fortify yourself with carbohydrate-rich snacks such as bananas, muesli bars and the like. Dehydration also leads to a loss of performance, which is why you should also take enough water and sports drinks (sports drinks contain carbohydrates and minerals) with you. A little table salt in the drink ensures a balanced electrolyte balance.
How do you see the role of Albert's equipment in the Challenge?
The performance of his bike will also play an important role. This means not least how well the bike is set up for him and which components/accessories he has on the bike. On the one hand, the parts must not be too heavy, and on the other, excessive lightweight construction unfortunately almost always results in a loss of comfort, which can have a significant impact on performance. It will therefore be crucial for him to select not only a top-fit bike but also parts that have been ergonomically designed specifically for this area of use.
What should definitely be in place to make the Bike Mission 3000 a success?
For the challenge to be a complete success, the points of contact with the bike, i.e. the so-called magic triangle, should be tailored to the rider. The contact points with the bike are the hands, buttocks and feet. Ergonomically shaped grips with their wings provide sufficient support for the wrist so that it does not bend during the ride and sensitive nerve tracts are not irritated. A gender-specific saddle designed for the riding position ensures comfort thanks to the existing relief zones and prevents pain in the buttocks area. Finally, correct foot positioning on the pedals prevents painful knees. In order for the ergonomic products to function ideally, the bike should be individually adjusted to the rider. In particular, the correct seat height, the rear seat and the angle of the saddle, the seat length and the handlebar height should be taken into account.
The BIKE Mission 3000 can only be a success if it is pain-free and fun. - Dagny Hilpert, Ergonomics Project Engineer at Ergon
Competition: BIKE is giving away five Ergon fitting boxes
Together with Ergon, BIKE is giving away 5 Fitting Boxes for bike fitting at home. Kim Tofaute developed the Fitting Box to provide all bikers with uncomplicated instructions for adjusting their sports equipment. The included manual contains step-by-step explanations and tables for transferring your own body measurements to the bike.
The box, worth €29.95, also contains everything you need for bike fitting, from a measuring template to a tape measure. The fitting box is available specifically for mountain bikes, road bikes and trekking bikes, depending on the area of use.
For the chance to win one of a total of five Ergon Fitting Boxes MTB Expert, simply send an email with your name and address to gewinne@bike-magazin.de. The closing date for entries is 05.02.2023. Participation is free of charge. The following conditions of participation apply.
Conditions of participation
You can take part by sending an email to gewinne@bike-magazin.de stating your first name, surname and home address. Eligible to take part are people resident in Germany, Switzerland and all EU countries over the age of 18. Only one entry per person or e-mail address will be accepted. The winners will be selected at random after the closing date and notified by e-mail. Participation via third parties who commercially organise participation in competitions and / or prize draws is excluded. All personal data of the participant will be stored and used exclusively for the agreed purpose. The public announcement of the winners is made without guarantee. Employees of Delius Klasing Verlag and their relatives are excluded from participation. Cash payment or exchange of prizes is not possible. If a winner does not respond within 14 days of receipt of the prize notification, the claim to the prize will lapse and a new winner will be chosen.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
