Anyone who suffers from discomfort such as tingling, numbness or pain on tour will find a variety of products that promise targeted relief: Multi-position handlebars that allow you to change position at short notice to relieve your back; grips with wings that protect the sensitive ulnar nerve on the outside of the hand and prevent discomfort in the ring finger and little finger; customised insoles that prevent the arch of the foot from dropping and thus also numbness in the toes; saddles in a variety of shapes and with different cushioning materials that promise more comfort when sitting. This list could go on and on. Most of these products make perfect sense for cyclists. The only problem is that if you bolt them all to your bike, you are far from having an ergonomic bike. Three points and their position in relation to each other in space determine whether the bike fits its rider from an ergonomic point of view: saddle, grips and bottom bracket. Only when the angles and lengths of this triangle fit the rider's body can you experience an "aha" moment.
"The right frame height in combination with multi-position handlebars is not enough," warns ergonomics expert Juliane Neuß. Rather, it is about adapting the geometry of the bike to its owner in such a way that there are no incorrect postures, even on long journeys. An ergonomically correct sitting position is based solely on the angles that the torso and limbs can assume on the bike," says Juliane Neuß. Because every body has different proportions and is differently strong and flexible, the bike must be customised to its owner.
