Hamstrings flexibility and bike fitting

Even though experienced bike fitters have considered flexibility as a key player when bike fitting, only recently a study demonstrated that, retrospectively, this relationship seems to exist. An analysis of 50 cyclists demonstrated that lumbar flexion seems to be related with saddle height and that hamstrings flexibility seems to determine handlebars drop. These findings are important to provide support for practitioners to assess flexibility when proposing changes in bike fit. As an example, cyclists with limited lumbar flexibility (determined by the modified Schober test) seem to present with lower saddle height. In addition, others with limited hamstrings flexibility demonstrated higher height for their handlebars. Taken together, these findings suggest that more aerodynamical/aggressive positions on the bike seem to be achievable for those with increased flexibility in their lumbar spine and hamstrings.