Bike Fit 101: How to Fine-Tune Your Setup for Comfort and Confidence

Dial in your mountain bike for a smoother, more confident ride.

Ever hop on your bike and something just feels off—like you're working harder than you should be, or just not quite in sync with your ride? You’re not alone!

A good bike fit or set up isn’t just for roadies chasing speed. It’s one of the most overlooked keys to mountain biking with more comfort, control, and confidence—especially on longer rides or technical trails.

We asked Ruel from BikeMage to help us break it down so you can fine-tune your setup and ride stronger, longer, and happier.

Why Fit Matters on the Trails

As a coach, I see it all the time: riders adjusting their technique to suit a setup that doesn’t quite work for their body. But it should be the other way around.

Your bike should support you—your posture, your balance, your riding style. When it does, you’ll corner more confidently, descend with better control, and reduce fatigue in your hands, knees, and lower back.

The Minii Check-In for Fit Awareness

Before diving into the technical side, here are a few questions I ask riders to check in with how their bike feels:

• Are you shifting around on the saddle constantly?

• Do your hands or wrists go numb on long descents?

• Does your lower back or neck ache after every ride?

• Do you feel “tippy” over the bars or too stretched out?

  
  

If you said yes to any of the above, it might be time for a few adjustments.

Pro Fit Tips from Ruel at BikeMage

We asked Ruel for his top bike fit tweaks that any rider can check and adjust:

1. Saddle Height

Too high and you’ll rock your hips or feel stretched; too low and you’ll lose power and stress your knees. A general rule: with your heel on the pedal, your leg should be straight at the lowest point which will give you the proper slight bend at the knee when you’re pedalling with the ball of your foot. Still unsure? A quick bike fit session can help dial this perfectly.

2. Bar Width and Stem Length

Wider bars offer more stability—but too wide can stress your shoulders. A good starting point is to get into a push-up position and then measure the distance between your hands (which is likely just wider than shoulder width). Pair that with a stem that balances your reach—shorter stems for better maneuverability on techy trails, longer stems for climbing stability.

3. Brake Lever Position

Your brake levers should be angled to line up with your forearms in a standing riding position. This reduces wrist strain and improves braking control, especially on steep descents. Secondly, you can move the levers laterally so that your pointer finger lands on the hook of the brake lever. Lastly, you can adjust the "reach" of the brake lever by bringing it closer or further away to squeeze it comfortably.

4. Reach and Stack (a.k.a. Rider Position)

Feel cramped or stretched? Your bike’s frame size and cockpit setup (bar height, stem length, spacers) all affect your reach. A slightly upright position works well for trail riding comfort—don’t force yourself into an aggressive “racey” posture if it doesn’t feel good.

5. Pedal and Cleat Positioning (if clipped in)

Cleat too far forward? You’ll overwork your calves. Too far back? You’ll lose pedal efficiency. Ruel recommends centering cleats under the ball of the foot and adjusting as needed based on feel.

Small Changes = Big Difference

Getting your bike fit dialed doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Often, a few smart tweaks based on how your body feels on the bike can lead to a major confidence boost—on climbs, corners, and descents.

Want Help Getting It Just Right?

Before every clinic or class, we start with a bike check to run through the ABCs (Learn what that means here) and get a sense of how your current setup is working for you.

We’ll make small adjustments on the spot when we can—but for a personalized fit that goes beyond the basics, I always recommend visiting Ruel at BikeMage. A few expert tweaks can go a long way toward making your ride more comfortable, efficient, and confidence-inspiring.

#ItsAGoodDayToRide