DO YOU WANT MORE OUT OF YOUR BIKE? Start by getting the best bike fit in Iowa!

Posted Jun 15, 2005
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A bike that fits can make the difference between injury and lifelong comfort. A bike fit is an absolute must for every cyclist, no matter what age, ability, or type of cycling you're doing!

The following was adapted from an article by Joe Lindsay, Mountain Bike Magazine, June 2005. Following that is BIKEIOWA.com's reccomendation for the best bike fit in Iowa. In 2001, Gunn-Rita Dahle was winning the World XC Championships when an untimely flat on the last lap allowed Alison Dunlap to sprint to victory. A year later in Kaprun, Austria, the then 29-year-old Dahle vanquished that memory and won her long awaited first world title. But not all was right. Later that fall, she paid a visit to Andy Pruitt, Ed.D., of the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine. Pruitt, a physician’s assistant, is arguably the most renowned bicycle-fit specialist in the world. “She came to me and I said, what are you doing here? You just won worlds.” Pruitt recalled. While Dahle has also been a top racer, she has also been inconsistent, missing races-seasons, even-due to injury and illness. Pruitt’s diagnosis revealed one major cause: Dahle pedaled “grossly knock-kneed, a sign of a biomechanical inefficiency that had undercut her potential for years. The effects were systemic, causing an inability to access her full power and creating imbalances that, over the course of a season’s training, led invariably to injury. Pruitt claimed his changes- a handlebar-height adjustment, narrowed pedal stance and varus wedges and orthotics in her cleats and shoes- gave Dahle an extra 50 watts of power, or about a 15% increase. What a ridiculous claim, I thought at the time. If it were true, then a racer who had already been a podium threat would be untouchable. But then Dahle became exactly that: Since her adjustment she has won every World Cup round, two European Championships, and another world title at the Athens Olympics. Word is getting out about the importance of fit. But Dahle’s benefits pale in comparison to those a recreational cyclist could achieve. “The elite racer has dialed in himself pretty well,” says Pruitt “But the recreational rider often hasn’t got any advice, so the leaps he makes in comfort and power are quantum compared to pros.” Our benefits go far past race results, though. Cycling is billed as a lifelong sport. But after 16 years of it, I have knee pain. I get chiropractic adjustments to keep my neck from locking up. In short, riding hurts. And if it hurts, I can’t ride as much, nor will I ride into old age. Like most recreational riders, I’ve never been professionally fitted, not even for cleat placement on my pedals. Fit is more a roadie thing, goes the conventional wisdom. Mountain bikers are more dynamic in their positions. But proper fit is incredibly important for our lifelong enjoyment. Dahle knows this- perhaps her most impressive streak is not her victories, but that since her Pruitt visit, she hasn’t missed a single major event due to illness or injury. What could fit do for you? Looking for the best bike fit in Iowa? BIKEIOWA.com recommends Donny Quixote at Rasmussen Bike Shop in West Des Moines, IA. Here’s what their bike fit is all about: Rasmussen Bike Shop offers bike fits for recreational and competitive cyclists. Perfect for improving comfort and performance! Using the renowned Bike Fit Kit and Lemond Fitting Systems the bike fit offered at Rasmussen Bike Shop will surely help you. This dynamic and biomechanic fit includes a pre and post power tests, full bicycle measurements, varus and valgus foot measurements, cleat placement, and much more. Your custom bike fit only takes a short amount of time but, in return, offers many hours of enjoyment and improved performance with less chance for injury. Here are some testimonials: "I can really feel the improvements from the bike fit at Rasmussen Bike Shop! My legs feel powerful and efficient with the shims that Donny put in, and my position is much more comfortable." Jay Chesterman Expert Mountain Biker --------- I have been cycling for only about 3 years and never had a bike fit done. I had heard about this service but to be very honest, I was pretty skeptical. Rasmussen’s Bike Shop has always treated us wanna-be triathletes with the best service and has gone above and beyond with taking care of the CIMC clubbers and their families. So, after the boys down as Rassy’s put together my new road bike for me, I met Donny and we talked about the bike fit…..Again, I was hopeful that it would help, but skeptical. We scheduled the fit and Donny was very professional in every aspect of this service. Everything he did to adjust, fit, fix, measure, tilt, slide, turn, and twist was right on. I ended up having him order some “jammers” (aerobars) to use for 3 triathlons this year that involve a lot of climbing and are more suited for a road geometry and he helped my fit be “spot on” from the beginning. At my last triathlon I ended up having one of the top 5 bike splits out of over 400 people and felt great for the run. So, after starting out the process hoping that it was worth the time and money, I can encourage everyone……it is definitely worth both! Reed Rinderknecht Ironman Triathlete --------- I've put about 120 miles in with the new fit (70 getting use to it and 50 hard miles last night) and it feels good. Actually, it feels great. I am so much more comfortable on the bike now. Greg Graham Road Cyclist --------- I'm so glad I got fit tested for my new Specialized road bike at Rasmussen's. I was trying to decide between a couple of different sized bikes. Not only did getting fit tested help me decide what bike to order, but then my bike was also set up to fit me personally. Because we knew how long my arms were, for instance, Donny could figure out how big my ideal cockpit size was and fit my bicycle accordingly. I feel so comfortable on my bike now, it virtually took the guess work out of it! I don't have strains in my back or tightening up in my knees because everything moves smoothly. It makes riding my bike so much more enjoyable, not to mention making me more effective in the saddle. Thanks so much to Donny and the crew at Rasmussen's for setting me up!!! Sara Birkenholtz Recreational & RAGBRAI Cyclist STILL NOT CONVINCED!? That is why Rasmussen Bike Shop uses a Pre and Post wattage test on every bike fit. During this test the cyclist maintains a prescribed wattage on a computerized bicycle trainer and repeats the test following the fit. Here are some recent bike fit test results that may help convince you of the benefits offered from the bike fit at Rasmussen Bike Shop: Rick Leonard, 39: Triathlete Pre-Fit Test Results: Avg Wattage 185, Avg HR 178 Post-Fit Test Results: Avg Wattage 196, Avg HR 165 Nathan Bartels, 23: Competitve Road Cyclist Pre-Fit Test Results: Avg Wattage 198, Avg HR 155 Post-Fit Test Results: Avg Wattage 201, Avg HR 138 Jenny Weber, 24?: Triathlete Pre-Fit Test Results: Avg Wattage 135, Avg HR 142 Post-Fit Test Results: Avg Wattage 139, Avg HR 132 Sean Noonan, 18: Endurance Mountain Biker Pre-Fit Test Results: Avg Wattage 205, Avg HR 145 Post-Fit Test Results: Avg Wattage 209, Avg HR 140 The bike fit offered at Rasmussen Bike Shop aims to achieve maximum performance and ultimate comfort! The fit takes only a couple of hours but the effects will last a lifetime! To schedule a bike fit with fit specialist and cycling coach Donny Quixote please call 515.277.2636 or visit Rasmussen Bike Shop at 301 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines M-F 10-7, Sat 9-4:30 and Sun 10-4. For a limited time, Coach Quixote and Rasmussen Bike Shop are offering you a chance to help yourself while helping your budget! $125 Custom fit for your first bike $75 for each additional bike. Free LeWedge Shims 15% Discount on all accessory upgrades purchased during the fit. BE SURE TO PRINT AND BRING IN THE COUPON BELOW!