Endurance Unlimited Season 4, Ep. 2 — Bike Fitting, Technology, Biomechanics and the Future with Dr. Andy Pruitt
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Feb 23, 2022 Dr. Andy Pruitt, a sports medicine physician who pioneered 3-D bike fitting and helped design ergonomic cycling shoes and saddles. He discusses the origins of bike fitting and using motion capture for biomechanics. He covers foot support, cleat choices, triathlon and time‑trial position tradeoffs, remote and automated fitting, and new tech to make cycling safer.
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Early 3D Bike Fitting Origin Story
- Dr. Andy Pruitt described receiving $50k–$70k of 3D motion capture hardware from Gideon Ariel in 1985 and using it to pioneer 3D bike fitting as a medical service.
- That investment coincided with the introduction of zero-float LOOK cleats and an epidemic of knee injuries, which drove their lab studies and interventions.
Turn The Foot Into A Rigid Power Lever
- The cycling foot must be converted from a flexible walking lever into a primarily rigid lever to improve power transfer and reduce knee travel.
- Controlling the arch and forefoot and keeping the knee aligned over the second toe reduces medial-lateral knee motion and overuse injuries.
Support Foot Before Removing Cleat Float
- Do implement proper in-shoe support and cleat rotation before reducing cleat float; supporting the arch often lets riders tolerate zero or near-zero float.
- Pruitt notes many pros want zero float but require tailored foot prescription to avoid knee, hip, or back pain.