Comfort while cycling isn’t about being soft or weak. It’s about being smart and riding more effectively. A proper bike fit turns wasted strain into usable watts. Riders who last longest aren’t the toughest. They’re the ones whose bodies and bikes work together.
A ride that changed everything
A few months ago, I was out with a club group on a 120-km loop. One of the riders, let’s call her Sarah, kept falling off the back. She was strong and fit and had all the kit, but she struggled up the climbs.
She mentioned she was going for a bike fit, not too sure if it would make a difference. After her fit, she came back the next weekend on the same ride. She hammered past the same hills that had beaten her before. She told me she felt comfortable for the first time. That’s when I realised: comfort is power.
So much of our sport is about grit and toughness, seeing who can hold out the longest. But many cyclists often confuse needless aches and pains for that same badge of honour. Either they don’t want to appear weak, or they take the word of whoever sold them the bike.
“Your setup is correct, just get used to it”.
Then you add what the 20-something, 60kg pros do on YouTube every week, giving every serious rider an inferiority complex on top of their midlife crisis, and you have a recipe for a (knee) disaster.
The real source of power
You might think power comes from legs. It does, (well actually it comes from your core as well), but only if your legs and arms are aligned.
If you are not able to channel all your power through your pedals, you are leaving watts on the table. This happens because your position causes a misalignment in your pedal stroke. There is a position on your bike where your power transfer is as close to perfect as possible. Our job is to find it, and it’s different for everyone.
Pressure mapping, alignment checks, cleat position measurements. These tools help you convert effort into speed instead of energy lost in strain.
If your position is pushing even 5% of your power into discomfort or wobble, that’s like training a whole season and throwing watts away.
For example: your cleats might be slightly off, causing your knee to drift outward. That drift costs you stability. Fixing it might return you 10–20 watts you never knew you lost.
Or you might get such discomfort around kilometer 30, that you no longer think about rounding out your pedal stroke, you just think about when the ride will end.
We’ve all been there. If the pain becomes so much that it takes centre stage, you’re not enjoying cycling anymore, your’re just hanging on. No fun.
Comfort isn’t soft. It’s smart
Comfort is often mistaken for “easy.” No. Real comfort is the state when your body isn’t fighting the bike. That’s flow. Not flaking.
A rider may brag, “It hurt so good.” But if it hurts ride after ride, you’re in the wrong position. Good fits let you push hard *and* stay comfortable.
Freedom to ride longer
When you’re dialled in, rides no longer feel like chores. You remember why you started. And what you love about this game. Sunrises with good people, gravel roads, the wind in your face.
Because when your body isn’t rebelling against your bike, your mind can work on how to get you up the hill faster. To catch those guys in front. That’s the game we all want to play.
And you sleep better after long efforts. You recover quicker. You go out the next day feeling ready, not broken.
Yes, cycling has some things to get used to. The long hours. The strange diet. The lycra. But aching hands, knees, and backs shouldn’t be the headline news every time.
Proof in the details
The tech tools, the pressure maps, insole alignment pads, motion capture, all just mirrors. They help your body find its best form.
A pressure map might show that you carry too much weight on one side. You shift your saddle 3 mm, adjust your posture, retest. Suddenly, the map smooths out. And the ache stops.
Or ussing insoles that balance left and right in your shoes. A small imbalance in your feet gets magnified through knees and hips. A better insole can quiet that chain of chatter up your leg. You feel more stable, you ride more powerful.
Objections you might have (and answers)
“I only ride casually. Do I need a bike fit?”
Yes. Comfort matters at any speed. Even a short ride feels better when your body doesn’t ache. Cycling comfort tips matter for commuters just as much as racers.
“It seems expensive for what it is”
Think of it as paying once to save thousands in wasted time, frustration, and possible injury. A proper bike fit prevents power leaks, knee pain, and back aches.
“My current setup works OK; why risk change?”
Because “OK” often hides niggles. Small shifts that feel weird at first are often the difference between mediocre and that great ride you’ve been chasing.
“Tech gadgets won’t read my body”
Absolutely. The tech doesn’t decide. Your fitter does. Tools guide, but you always test by feel on the bike. Don’t believe all the AI-app-talk on IG. : )
Where to go from here
You already feel the difference when discomfort is gone. That’s the power of comfort. If you want to stop fighting your bike and start riding with ease, let us help. Book your Bike Fit today and experience how comfort becomes your power.
FAQ
Q: How many watts do I lose when I’m uncomfortable?
A: It depends on the misalignment. Even small issues can cost 5–15 % efficiency, which is huge over long rides.
Q: Can comfort reduce injuries?
A: Yes. When your body isn’t compensating, joints and muscles strain less. Overuse issues like knee pain, hip niggles, or back soreness decline.
Q: How often should I re-check fit for comfort?
A: Every 6–12 months, or after big mileage increases, a crash, or new shoes. Your body shifts, fit must too.
Q: Is comfort only about soft seats and padded shorts?
A: No. Those help. But true comfort comes from alignment, balance, and movement efficiency. The pad won’t fix a crooked setup.
