Has Steve’s blog helped you?

This Post Has 34 Comments

1. The blog has been very helpful. I have enjoyed all aspects of the articles – from beer to bikes. Of course, as I am sure most of us readers have, I have a want list but I am sure Steve will get to most of it in his spare time. Thanks again!

   1. Hi Craig – Feel free to pass along some of those wants here. Thanks!

2. Steve’s blog is, in my opinion, a must-follow for any bike fitter.

3. Love reading Steve’s stuff. I check out the site for anything new every couple of days.

4. I had a cyclefit with Steve in May 2008 and despite that I found this blog extremely helpful – I bought eSoel Supportive having read this blog to replace my standard Shimano insoles (not available in 2008) and I consistently average ~1.5kmh faster over the same 3 hour training route I ride on Sat and Sun mornings. I also adopted the heel-based wedge to replace my 1 cleat based BFS varus wedge simply because its much easier to install/use, no bolts required, just a bit of stickly tape. I also found some good advice here re positioning of my new SMP Dynamic saddle which, being 7mm wider, replaced my 3yo SMP Stratos. I have quoted links to this blog on some cycling forums too. Thumbs up Steve!!

5. Having just built a bike up from scratch and now looking at how I ride it, this site has been a godsend. I have used the posts that Steve has written to help me set up the bike correctly. If only I could afford to get Steve to do a professional fit in person. (I live in Western Australia)

   Maybe one day when I am over east I might be able to get this done. Until then, thanks Steve for all your blog’s. A very invaluable source of information regarding how each individual can be fit to a bike, not how each individual can fit the normal bike setup.

6. despite riding for many years I have recently suffered a herniated L5 disc which was agrivated my riding position on my newest mountain bike, from your blogs and video which came free with Cycle Active in the UK, I have looked at my riding position and bike set up and changed it accordingly. so far so good with no problems. i am certainly glad I discovered you and its only a shame you are on the other side of the world otherwise I would make an appointment to come and get properly fitted.

7. It always nice to read from Steve Hogg.
   Kind Regard from Canada

8. The blog is very helpful and much appreciated.

9. Steve’s expertise in anatomy and how it functions on a bicycle is second to none. He has a very common sense “no BS” approach to being functional and comfortable on a bike.
   I live in So. California, quite a hotbed for cycling, yet professional bike fitting that is on par with what Steve prescribes is slim to none. I have been “professionally fit be several local fitters witch lead to miserable lower back and foot pain.
   In an effort to fix myself, I studied all the articles Steve has written and applied his advice to my own fit. The results have been a fairly dramatic change in the ability to comfortably put out more power with less fatigue. Thank you Steve. Please keep up the great work.

   James B

10. I second the comment above about Steve’s approach on bike fitting. IMO the “gold standard” to which all other bike fitters around the world should be measured up too. I purchased the ebooks a few weeks back and gained a wealth of knowledge that I put use on myself. Personally I found the cleat position the most useful as they were too far forward previously, and have since moved them back according to method 1 with a size 44 shoe. After making this simple change, I felt alot more powerful with lower perceived effort. The proof is in the pudding on the SRM powermeter and me all of a sudden winning a couple local criteriums. I look forward to checking this blog out daily for new info. Thanks Steve.

11. i can’t tell you guys how enjoyable it has been learning about the correct way to do bike fits. there’s an incredible amount of bad information out there and it’s a relief to find a place where the information presented is based upon logic and practical testing rather than outdated assumptions and marketing.

    this has to be incredibly time consuming for steve (and the background players)…a lot of us are very appreciative. hope steve understands that.

    thanks so much.

12. Steve, your blog is very informative and I appreciate all the effort it takes to educate and share your knowledge.

    I have used old Time equipe pedals for years, but have had issues with a herniated disc (pain free now). I think this has affected right leg function a bit. Been through quite a bit of work with physical therapy and bike fitting and part of that included new shoes and pedals with wedging my right shoe with valgus shims since I was bowing out a bit at the knee. I have shifted to the left on my saddle and feel centered best when my right foot is outboard. I started out with Look Keos but the q factor on the right seemed too small even with washers. Switched to Time iclics with the wider cleat placement and still wish I could get the right foot out a few more mm. Can you compare the q factor of the Speedplay zeros to the Time Iclics so I can know what pedal axle length to order? None of the shops have the Speedplay fit kit and only stock the standard length pedals. Is it common to feel that a wider shoe placement is more comfortable with a varus knee and foot positioning? Thanks.

    Nick

    1. G’day Nick,
       Firstly, be wary of valgus wedging. The job of wedges isn’t to bring a “bowing” knee back into line, though wedging correctly can have that effect. The job of wedges (combined with arch support) is to restore proprioceptive clarity to the feet. The knee sitting further out is usually indicative of asymmetries of the hips, lower back or pelvis and trying to force plane of movement correction via the feet can be risky.

       To answer your other questions. Road pedals generally place the centre of the pedal platform 53 – 55 mm out from the face of the crank at the pedal hole. Time cleats can be swapped from left to right to give a foot separation increase or decrease of 5mm. I have never measured what the outer or inner position is on the Times and so don’t know where either sit in relation to the 53 – 55mm mentioned above. Speedplay pedals with standard axle length have a pedal platform centre that is 53mm from the crank face. Assuming the cleats are set in the middle of their range of lateral adjustment, then the cleats allow 4mm of adjustment in either direction.

       Speedplay Zeros are also available in stainless axled versions with axle lengths 1/8″(3.175mm) shorter than standard, 1/8″ (3.175mm) longer than standard, 1/4″ (6.35mm) longer than standard and 1/2″ (12.7mm) longer than standard.

       Don’t forget that you can adjust each cleat 4mm in or out from the midpoint on each of those pedals giving an effective difference in foot placement potential between sides of up to 8mm.

13. do you ever place one foot further out then the other side?

    1. Yes Markus, I do. The right solution is the one that allows the rider to ride powerfully and comfortably. Sometimes different lateral placement of cleats or pedals is part of the solution.

14. This is a great blog. Steve’s knowledge of bike fitting in second to none, anywhere on the globe. I also enjoy the beer reviews!

15. I think Steve should be very proud of this blog. I’ve had 2 bikefit sessions with Steve and I reckon he is a great bloke and has been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals on the bike . I feel I am treated the same as he would treat an elite athlete which is very refreshing. Through Steve’s help and reading this blog I am now very confident when setting up a new bike to replicate my current position. I am also certainly more aware on how my body feels when I’m riding and this is certainly because of following Steve’s cycle fit philosophy.

    Much thanks Steve and look forward to following your posts.

16. Steve Hogg’s Blog has been very helpful to me. I was going to get a new pair of road pedals and was going to get a set of Look’s. But after reading his Blog posts on pedals and he convinced me to go with a set of Speedplay Zeros since they are the most adjustable system on the market.

    He also convinced me that I need to get a good professional fit as I am having some knee issues with me current set-up. Unfortunately getting myself fit by Mr. Hogg is not an option for me since I live on the other side of the planet.

17. I’ve been following Steve’s work for what must be several years now. His advice and careful, well-reasoned explanation of bike fit have been guiding my experimentation throughout this period and while it has been a slow and at times painful journey, I’ve learnt so much about the way my body works on my bike. All his articles on seat height, cleat shims and wedges, arch support, and set seatback have become indispensable reference material. I’m amazed that he always takes the time to explain his reasoning and/or experience as it relates to specific fit issues. He refers to himself as cranky on occasion, but in his articles and responses to questions, he has always been patient and generous with his time. Thank you, Steve.

18. Absolutely the best source of fitting info. Thanks Steve. Wish I lived in Australia so I could come in person.

19. Thanks for peeling back the layers of awareness as regards interaction with the bike, I,ve read and applied much of the advice over the past 5 years.
    It has helped with my performance and comfort. I work as a swimming coach when i,m not riding my bike .
    As regards your status as a bike fitter I,ll use the examples of Bill Boomer in the world of swimming with reference to the nervous system and how the body interacts with its environment. The man is a legend and your up there with him in my reckoning.
    Your blogg and responses on cycling news have been sincere and well recieved .

20. I was a bit embarrassed when I logged on one morning and found the post above from Jason. A tiny bit of paranoia in a bike fitter is no bad thing so my response to Jason was “Risky post mate. What if no one comments?”

    I sincerely thank all who took the time to write such positive thoughts. It has taken a lot of time from both Jason and I to get the info onto the site and your responses have made it easier for both of us. I don’t know whether I can continue to devote the time to the site long term that I have given it over the last few months, but I thank you all for taking the time to respond.

    1. Moral of the story… Don’t doubt your web guy!

21. top resource steve
    always an education
    I read it every day
    grazie mille
    doug

22. Outstanding! Best blog ever found. I am very proud I could meet with you personally instead of 24h flight distance! Every day I read at least few letters from your e-books, check blog and every day I know something new about bike fitting. It`s like morning coffee, must be everyday for beginning bikefitters! Thanks.
    Waiting for “Steve Hogg Fitting Bible” in stores worldwide! 😉

23. hello Steve!!!
    IT HELPS reading this blog, finding new things, questioning ourselfs, comunicating!!!…
    thanks,
    Mircea (from Romania)

24. Always a treat to read your postings Steve. I generally need to re-read them as they take time to digest and absorb. Technology and marketing are an easy way to lean on others for the responsibility of mating a rider to a machine. Amongst the other dozens of tips, you have taught me to look at “global” details from different directions and pay more attention to off-the-bike assessment. Here’s a little trick (to share with anyone reading this far into the thread) I learned at drumming school to make smoother fill transitions across the drum kit; lightly throw the eyes out of focus and breathe when doing something that seems challenging to stay relaxed yet focused.

    Cheers from Texas,
    Jerry Gerlich

25. I stumbled over this site just the other night.

    I find it quite interesting that products I’ve chosen trough trial and error (and luck) seem to be favourites of Steve. I use Selle SMP, Speedplay pedals, and “compact” handlebars.

    If I did not live on the other side of the world Steve would have a customer.

26. Steve,
    Thanks for spending the time to educate all of us. I started out looking for how to solve hand numbness suspecting I needed to reset my seatback (I did, and it’s helped relieve that hand pressure ALOT), and I ended up learning how to “listen” to my body while riding. It’s a work in progress, but already the improved comfort and power is astonishing. You really seem on the right track how to fit the rider and bike together to create, for lack of a better word, teamwork.

    Really hope you’ll continue to post your thoughts and wisdom as you can. And hopefully more US guys learn your system so that those of us on this side of the Pacific can get the whole-Hogg treatment. 😉

27. Steve,
    Many thanks, your blog and ebooks have been a revelation. We didn’t need formula’s just education on how to listen to our bodies.
    Had a hard ride in storms at the weekend and spent 2hrs on the drops, first time I have been comfortable in that position. Who needs aero frames and wheels if you can’t stay low on the bike.
    The only issue I have had with your recommendations is that I set my cleats to method 1 and on hilly rides my calves would start cramping up after a while and also my feet felt unstable when out of the saddle. I moved my cleats back 2mm, revisited my saddle height and setback and I am now very comfortable. I think I’m a big heel dropper which I guess puts me off the scale, but you have taught us to listen to ourselves.
    The info is a little too good that I now don’t need to buy a flight to come and see you. Cheers Paul

    1. G’day Paul,
       You’re absolutely correct. As suggested in Method 1 a more than average heel dropping technique needs slightly more rearward cleat position. A couple of mm can make a large difference in feel. I’m impressed that you would think of making the trip but happy for you that you got a good result.

28. I have only recently started reading Steve’s blog. I started doing bike fitting as an adjunct to my Personal Training and Massage Therapy business about 2 years ago. I’ve found most of the books and information out there on bike fitting leaving me with far more questions than answers. If I did find answers they were often unsatisfactory or did not really make sense. Steve is the first person I come across who relates the nervous system as the key thing we are trying to affect through altering proprioceptive stimulus. Its not like this concept is totally absent from information I’ve seen, but Steve seems to get that its CNS is in charge and everything we do with a Bike fit should effect it in a positive way. I’m loving what I’m reading! This site is really bringing a lot of sound principles and applying them to bike fitting in a meaningful and practical way. I am very grateful to have found out about this blog its helping me and my clients.

    Thank you very much,

    Aaron

    1. G’day Aaron,
       Your positive thoughts are appreciated. The major reason
       for the blog is to get tested info out there and I’m glad that that info has been of help to you and your clients.

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