Bike Fits = emPOWERment
My first true bike ride on my granny’s bike! Not happy about getting my photo taken. Spring 2019. Photo by my dad
I fell in love with cycling in the spring of 2019 while riding my Granny’s old Trek touring bike. I spent the next 8 months getting to know all that I could about cycling and exploring all the classic riding routes in Whatcom County. Part of this exploration was understanding cycling comfort, or more so, the lack thereof. Every ride, I rode on my mom’s old bike shorts from the 90s with basically no chamois (or chamois cream, because what is that?), numbness in my feet, and pain in my back after riding. But this was just part of being a cyclist, right? Even if it wasn’t, I didn’t deserve to spend money to feel better; after all, I wasn’t training seriously, nor did I have a cycling mentor to help me understand what I needed to feel better. I turned to Dr. YouTube and found GCN. It served as a mini mentor as I tried to digest how to become a ‘cyclist’. They explained that bike fits were extremely important. They are said to optimize comfort for long periods, alleviate numbness in the feet, bum, and/or hands, and help you reach a point where riding your bike feels good. Could this be true?
With Christine, about to go for a winter ride around Vancouver, WA. 2020. Photo by my mom.
That summer of 2019, I rode as much as I could. I rode in the Tour De Whatcom and rode my first 50-mile ride. As much joy I got from feeling on my two wheels came the discomfort with each mile. I tried to DIY a bike fit with GCN, but it was extremely simple, i.e., changing the seat height. That wasn’t enough to fix the issues I was having. I learned that I really wanted to get faster at this cycling thing and get better at blending in, but not on Granny’s old bike. I made a deal with my dad: we’d split the cost of a new bike for Christmas. I worked my butt off at my summer job in preparation. Before I got the bike, I told a family friend, Christine, that I was getting a brand-new bike. She immediately took me in, encouraged me, and shared her cycling gear and knowledge. I was finally getting the mentorship I needed. It reminded me of how important it is that women support other women in sport. I couldn’t have done it without her. She gave me the tools I needed to succeed in sport: $100s worth of new gear, told me I needed to get a professional bike fit, and from a specific person. I needed to see Joe Holcomb.
“I define bike fitting as “tailored” adjustments... ie, you can buy clothing ( or a bicycle ) off the rack and it might be the correct size, but it does not fit like it was made for you. ”
Joe Holcomb is the owner of ReTul Bike Fit PDX. Joe is a PNW native and started exploring Portland on his bike in the '80s. It wasn’t until 1999 that he got interested in bike fitting while working at the Bike Gallery, trying to improve his own fit. Since then, he has gone through multiple bike fit trainings to help others. Joe is one of the few Certified ReTul Fitters in North America, and the only one in Portland, OR. He’s also had Body Geometry fit training in 2009. Joe aims to provide a seamless connection between you and your bike. “My main goal when taking on a new client is to provide relative comfort on the bike to achieve whatever the client's goals are... From riding around the neighborhood to competition at the highest levels.” After just finding out what a bike fit was, I still wasn’t sure what the actual appointment would entail. Going to the appointment would open my eyes to more than just feeling better on the bike, but it helped me understand that it’s ok to spend money on things you like, pain is not inevitable when it comes to cycling, and that bike fits are a great tool for injury prevention. Joe asked me lots of questions about how things felt, and I realized how little I had thought about the weight on my hands versus the weight on my sit bones, where my numbness was on my feet, and how my back felt while spinning. I’ve been pretty good at body awareness thanks to growing up as a gymnast, but throw an object in there, and I am a bit lost. After that first appointment with Joe, we locked in a starting point fit that they’d set up on my bike when it arrived at the shop. He mentioned that once I pick it up, he wants me to ride and see how it feels, then come back in for an updated fit if things don’t feel quite right. And as it turns out, bike fits change just as much as people do! This is especially true when cycling goals change.
Getting an adjustment on my TT bike with Joe in 2023. Photo by my Dad
My road bike fit has changed a lot since 2019. It started in a semi-aggressive position, then to a more relaxed upright position when I wasn’t riding it as much, then back to an aggressive position for racing. Why so much change? Well, my goals had changed over the years, and I knew it was important to make sure I was comfortable on my bikes as I changed. In 2022, I got my first tri bike. Triathlon bike fits and road bike fits are different. Tri bike fits should focus on muscle use on the quads, so that the hamstrings are saved to use on the run. They also have aero bars where you rest on your elbows instead of your hands. Triathletes and cyclists are notorious for finding small ways to save watts and be more aero, but that doesn’t mean anything if you can hold the position. As Joe says, “Comfort FIRST. Aero SECOND. An aero position is useless if the rider is unable to maintain it for the duration of the event.” My aero positioning has been a years long progression. I got an appointment with Joe, and we got into a very upright position. I needed to be able to actually HOLD the aero position, be pain-free, and be able to feel strong when pedaling. I didn’t go in for another adjustment on my tri bike for a little while before going down a bit lower, so on and so on. Going back time and time again was an act of self-care, on the inside and out.
Joe working with Shannon, a client and model, at ReTulPDX. Photo by Emily Painter
Whatever your goals are, bike fits are for everyone, especially women. Joe mentions that “I wish more women knew that bike fit existed and that it could help them enjoy cycling more... The bike industry is slowly changing by adding more sizes of equipment and designing products to better meet the demands of women.” Bike companies like Liv Cycling provide bikes that are specifically designed for women, by women. While other components of cycling, like chamois for women, are still in development. Bike fits are something that can help you feel better now. Bike fits for me have been insurmountable in the longevity of my cycling and triathlon career. Joe has been a big part of that. He’s supported me getting ready for bike races by providing gear, offering discounts and making me feel like I am going confidently in the direction on my goals. Reaching new athletic heights is extremely fun and rewarding, but its important to just ride and have fun in the simple act of pedaling. After all, bike riding at any level should be fun AND comfortable.
If you are in the market for a bike fit, consider working with Joe! Reach out for an appointment or questions through his email, joeretulfitpdx@gmail.com. Check out his website, joeretulfitpdx.com to learn more about types of services and location.
Q&A with Joe, All About Bike Fits and Beyond:
How do you help your community outside of bike fits? i.e. supporting cycling teams?
I provide no charge service to junior athletes competing throughout the PNW and beyond.
Anything you wish people knew about bike fits?
Anyone who rides a bicycle could benefit from a bike fit.
Do you approach women’s bike fits differently — anatomically or culturally?
I hope that my approach to each of my clients is a place of safety and confidential information, with knowledgeable recommendations, accurate documentation, and easily understood experience.
What advice would you give to women who feel intimidated or unsure about investing in a bike fit?
Do your “homework”. Find a qualified professional who will take the time to build a relationship with you... What is their education? Reputation in the local cycling community? Is there a pre-fit interview to discuss your concerns/questions? Do they ask about your goals? Your previous injuries? Do they assess your current physical capabilities/limitations...?
Are there common myths about women’s comfort on bikes that you wish people understood better?
That it is supposed to be UNcomfortable.
What’s your philosophy around bike fitting and athlete support?
Do no harm. Injury prevention. Understanding rider changes over time and evolving their position as they progress.
If you could give one piece of advice to new riders, what would it be?
Trust your own perceptions of your experience. If it does not “feel” right, it most likely is not.
Why do you think so many people normalize pain or discomfort while riding?
The horrible misconception that “sport” in general has to hurt you to be fun.
What do you enjoy most about working with cyclists long-term?
Achieving individual goals - MORE BUTTS ON BIKES!