Physiobikefit

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Forrest, VIC
Physiobikefit

A comprehensive physio bike fitting and cyclist assessment conducted by experienced physiotherapist

26/08/2020

Reflection on pesky shifting issues (for all you non-mechanics out there):
Aside from bike-fitting for a moment …my last run of shifting issues is worth sharing:
5/ A friend with a crapper mud covered kids bike that was not shifting, I assumed usual winter stuff and would need re-cabling blah blah….however the shifting cable was wrapped around the front reflector (probably happened in transit/twisting the bars) Solution: remove the reflector
4/ My hubby’s old Giant 26er – I changed his tube in the rear and didn’t put his old time skewer back in securely. Solution: always check the skewer
3/ My winter bike, shifting been crap for ages – blamed it on not having full length housing, until one day my riding mate noticed the rear cluster wobbling around. Solution: tighten the cluster
2/ My new Orea OIZ – (We call it our Zio), shifting issues a few months after riding, I assumed was cable stretch, but in-fact the rear shifter was not tight on the bars (the anchor point). Solution: check anchor points
1/ A client on tour last year (DI2) front shifting issues…As a crappy mechanic I am I immediately resorted to the Shimano diagnostics tool, only to realise (eventually, actually one of our great Topbike mechanics diagnosed this) the front derailleur was loose: Solution: Check your anchor points
I guess my point on shifting is that my mind immediately races to: Dirt, cable tension, cable and housing condition, limit screws, chain stretch, lever failures, worn components, Di2 diagnostics…..
However - sometimes the solution is much simpler….I hope this helps some of you (non-mechanics) out there to have a good look at what’s going on before you panic and look for more complex issues.

14/08/2020

Home trainers - great for business for me (like when step Aerobics started up...)....if you ride your bike on a trainer there is no reference point for controlling the bike, allowing plenty of extraneous motion to go unchecked. Coupled with this there is the increased frequency of saddle sores leading to alteration in pedal stroke to 'get off the sore bits' My Top Tips for avoiding injury:
1/ Do some of your sessions on Rollers instead, you literally can't have poor technique on rollers (well maybe Froome could)
2/ Look after your private bits, bucket loads of Chamois cream, clean unbroken skin, get rid of hairs down there..need I say more, well I might but it will be a separate post
3/ If you have the bike mounted on the trainer, make sure the axles (front and rear) are level, don't assume the front wheel holder will get this exact, if you stuff this up it could have implications for anterior knee pain.
4/ Get outside - forget that one - you are all locked up
5/ Failing all that start running, now that's a real recipe for injury, cyclists trying to run..

11/08/2020

Fore/aft positioning of the knee joint is partially determined by dropping a plumb-bob down from the Tibial Tuberosity. The line should either bisect (at its most forward position) the pedal axle OR sit behind the pedal axle (up to maximum of around 3cm). If the plumb-bob sits in-front of the pedal axle the patello-femoral pressures increase to a level that may cause PFJ pain and or damage. Generally a smaller rider will sit more forward and a taller (and more flexible) rider will sit further back, to balance their weight on the bike.

09/08/2020

Strength around the hip joint laterally is important in maintaining a well aligned pedal stroke, these muscles act like the 'guy ropes' keeping the foot, knee and ankle in ergonomic harmony, preventing extraneous (injury causing) motion to the knee joint

04/08/2020

Cleat positioning is crucial for cyclists. The cleat alignment needs to represent the lower limb alignment with respect to stance width and hip/tibial/foot position to prevent injury. If not and the foot is constrained (ie you are 'fighting' the cleats) usually it is the knee that takes most of the strain and the rotational force can cause very nasty trauma around the joint.

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19 Grant Street
Forrest, VIC
3236

Website

http://www.physiobikefit.com.au/

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Emma Colson - APA Sports & Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

Emma Colson is a physiotherapist with over 30 years experience and has a post graduate qualification in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

Emma has been fitting bikes for over 25 years.

Emma understands cycling injuries not just as a physiotherapist but also from being a competitor at national and international level representing Australia at World Championships and Commonwealth Games.