Cyfac Postural System
What a bike fitting can do for you:
A custom fit--one that places you and your bicycle in perfect harmony--is the best way to realize your cycling potential. Achieving the proper setup on your bicycle improves efficiency, comfort, performance, and aerodynamics while ensuring injury prevention. Your body structure, riding level, history and riding discipline are unique, and warrant a specific position optimized just for you. Our well-trained and Cyfac certified fit specialists will work one-on-one with you every step of the way, whether you wish to tailor the fit of your current bicycle, or start from the ground up to build your dream machine.
Listed below is a description of the four phases of the bike fitting process that we use to best set up a rider with their bicycle.
1. CPS (Cyfac Postural System) Fit
We are the only shop offering this system in Washington State. With the advent of the Cyfac Postural System, the most recent advances in sports ergonomics have been paired with the latest scientific protocols to address the rider-machine equation. A comprehensive analysis of the athlete can now give greater perspective on improving performance, optimizing comfort, and ensuring the health of the cyclist. To learn even more see: http://www.veloeuropa.com/cyfacps/cyfacps.html
2. Apply CPS data read-out to current bicycle setup
Setting up a cyclist’s bike to the specific geometry and ergonomic specifications gained from the Cyfac fit, by use of the Palmer device. This indispensable tool developed by Francis Quillon and Matthieu Papin, enables the Cyfac Expert to set up a bike in the best conditions. Applying a detailed position analysis to the bike can now be done in a replicable, accurate, and easy manner to ensure the cyclist’s position (saddle height/set-back, reach, saddle height/bar height drop).
3. Dynamic Fit Session (Lateral View)
Placing the rider on their bicycle in a stationary trainer to fine-tune the position information gained from the CPS using a goniometer and lasers. This allows the rider to get a feel for the adjustments that may have been made during step 2, while under the watchful eye of our CPS technician. A laser is used to view whether the knee is tracking properly over the ankle. We also at this point do a sit bone width test to determine proper saddle width. A saddle should fit your skeleton properly in order to maximize power and efficiency.
4. Four Dimensional Cleat Positioning
If in step two an excess of lateral motion of the knees was observed, we spend time to try and correct this inefficient pedaling motion. Using the Swift Design Concept’s fore-foot measuring device, we adjust for varus and/or valgus of foot cant. We also adjust the Q-factor (distance of feet from bottom bracket), fore- aft positioning, and float (rotational setting of the cleat) at the foot pedal interface. It is also recommended at this point to look at the possible use of custom molded foot beds. These are cycling specific insoles developed by SIDAS in conjunction with the engineers at Cyfac that are better suited for the dynamic motion of cycling than are most insoles that are for running or static positions such as standing.
**Make sure to ride a few weeks at a lower riding intensity to allow your body to acclimate to your new positioning.
Quick Fit Glossary
Goniometer: A device to determine joint and body position angles
Varus: foot pronation (foot sole tilts away from body midline)
Valgus: foot supination (foot sole tilts toward body midline)
Q-factor: The lateral distance between the pedal attachment points on a crankset.
