Rocket climbs onto a tall bike in the shop. His feet dangle far above the floor.
"I can reach the pedals if I stretch!" he says, wobbling.
A grown-up steadies the bike. Raven tilts her head. "What do you notice about your feet?"
Nova hovers near the ground. "A good fit has rules," she says. "What would they be?"
Riding a bike that is the right size helps keep you safe.
Sit on the seat. Your feet should easily touch the ground.
When you pedal, your legs should not be too bent.
A grown-up can adjust the bike to fit you.
A bike shop worker can help find the right fit too.
Engineers list criteria. Criteria are things a design must do to be a success.
A good bike fit is like a design with criteria.
Criterion one: feet touch the ground easily while sitting on the seat.
Criterion two: legs are not too bent when pedaling.
Make sure nothing can get caught in the chain.
Watch out for loose pant legs, backpack straps and shoelaces.
Wear sneakers. They help your feet grip the pedals.
Never ride barefoot or in flip-flops.
| Statement | True or false? |
|---|---|
| Loose shoelaces can get caught in the chain. | ? |
| Flip-flops are good riding shoes. | ? |
| Sneakers help your feet grip the pedals. | ? |
| A bike that is too big is easier to control. | ? |
Fantastic fitting! Tomorrow we learn why a helmet is part of every ride.