Arm Pump, Saddle Tilt, Oval Chain Rings, and Cleat Placement for MTB

This week we’re re-sharing one of our favorite podcast episodes, and we’ll be back next week with an all-new show.

Dr. Adam Phaneuf is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a degree in Exercise Science based in Bellingham, WA. He’s also a bike fitter and has studied bicycle biomechanics.

In this interview we ask Adam:

• Is it true that cycling is lower impact than other activities like jogging?
• Do you think mountain biking is higher impact than road cycling?
• What are some of the most common ride-related issues folks tend to have?
• Are certain muscles, or body parts, more prone to injury or pain for mountain bikers?
• Do oval chain rings work for reducing pain? Are there any biomechanical advantages to them that riders can benefit from?
• How can riders know if it’s their form that needs to be changed, or if it’s something about the bike fit that’s wrong?
• What is arm pump, and what causes it?
• Can vibration on the bike lead to any health or pain issues? Can things like suspension stems or seat posts be helpful for some people?
• How does bike fit change, if at all, based on the type or length of ride we’re doing?
• What is the ideal saddle tilt for mountain biking? How do you dial that in correctly?
• Are there pros and cons to trying a more rearward cleat placement for mountain biking?
• What do you think about the idea of video/online bike fitting?

To learn more or connect with Adam and his team visit apexchirobellingham.com or on Instagram @apexbellingham.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available to Singletracks Pro supporters: singletracks.com/support

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks