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Fitting:
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Finding a bicycle that fits right and performs to the level
you ride may be a difficult process. Fitting on a Softride requires no
compromises, as beam versatility allows riders to adjust for multiple
positions for multiple body types.
It does require a level of knowledge of both your skill level and the
bike's performance to find the proper fit and components.
Softride will be happy to assist you in anyway that we can over the
phone or through email, but without a physical store location it is
difficult to properly size you for your bike. If you do not have the
expertise to fit your bike to your specific needs we encourage you to contact us and we will refer you to the nearest Softride dealer.
Positioning
 Forward Aero Position
Relaxed 'Big Slam' Position
Road Position
Geometry
Softride FasTT7
Softride FasTT
Softride IT
Softride Qualifier
Softride LITE
Softride Classic LE & TT
Forward Aero Position:
Time Trial/Multisport frames are designed around a single position -
the aero position. The aero position places very different loads upon
the rider than the more upright road position and therefore requires
equipment and a frame geometry that is specifically designed to
accommodate the position. For maximum comfort and efficiency in the
aero position, the rider will have a fairly flat torso position. This
allows the load to be taken off the muscular system as much as possible
by supporting the torso with the skeletal system. The key to this is to
place the humerus (upper bone of the arm) at a 90° angle to the torso
while still maintaining the optimal 90° hip angle for strong power
output. The best way to do this is by using aero bars in conjunction
with a frame that has a shorter top tube length, lower handlebar
position and a bottom bracket mounted further back in relation to the
saddle than what would normally be used on the road. Seat angles are
typically between 76° and 81°.
Relaxed 'Big Slam' Position:
For many TT and multisport athletes the steep (76° or greater) forward
aero position works very well. However, it has some compromises.
Primarily that it is not very efficient when the rider is not riding
hard or is riding out of the aero position (upright climbing for
example). Furthermore, some riders simply cannot get comfortable in
this aggressive aero position for physiological reasons. Because of
this, some top aero fitters are now recommending a new, more relaxed
aero position, sometimes called "The Big Slam." This position still
maintains a low and narrow aerodynamic profile. However, it also
embraces a more versatile road inspired position by placing the rider
further behind the bottom bracket shell than the forward aero position
while lowering saddle height to focus muscle groups and allow the
pelvis to rotate forward. This position can enhance comfort for many
riders, while increasing power output.
Road Position:
Most road frames are designed around classic European road seat angles,
usually around 73°. The 73° angle places the riders weight over the
rear wheel and in an excellent position for climbing and muscle
balance, while allowing for a variety of riding positions. Although
there are many variables that should be considered when fitting a road
frame, typical road position maximizes biomechanical efficiency when
the rider is in a relatively upright position. The hip angle is at its
strongest and most efficient angle for power and oxygen transfer -
about 90°.
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Geometery
Softride FasTT7:
| geometry | | frame size | (55-57) | (58-61) | | head tube angle, a | 73' | 73' | | head tube length, b (cm) | 15.5 | 18 | | virtual tt length at 73' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 58.7 | 60.8 | | virtual tt length at 76' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 56 | 58 | | virtual seat tube angle, d | 69-81' | 69-81' | | chain stay length, e (mm) | 400+10 | 400+10 | | offset, f (mm) | 45 | 45 | | *bb drop (mm) | 27.2 | 27.2 | | wheel size | 700c | 700c | | wheel base, g (cm) | 101.5+1 | 104+1 | | min-max saddle height (from bb)** | 88.5-70* | 89-74* | | | |
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Softride FasTT:
| geometry | | frame size | (49-52) | (53-56) | | head tube angle, a | 73' | 73' | | head tube length, b (cm) | 11 | 14.5 | | virtual tt length at 73' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 53.5 | 56.7 | | virtual tt length at 76' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 51 | 54 | | virtual seat tube angle, d | 69-81' | 69-81' | | chain stay length, e (mm) | 380+10 | 380+10 | | offset, f (mm) | 45 | 45 | | *bb drop (mm) | 27.2 | 27.2 | | wheel size | 650c | 650c | | wheel base, g (cm) | 94.1+1 | 97.4+1 | | min-max saddle height (from bb)** | 81-62* | 84-70* | | | |
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Softride IT:
| geometry |
| frame size | (45-74) | (48-50) | (49-52) | (54-56) | (57-59) | (59-62) |
| head tube angle, a | 72' | 72' | 72' | 73' | 73' | 74' |
| head tube length, b (cm) | 9 | 9.4 | 9 | 12.5 | 14.5 | 18.25 |
| virtual tt length at 73' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 49.1 | 52.8 | 53.7 | 55 | 58.1 | 60 |
| virtual seat tube angle, d | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' |
| chain stay length, e (cm) | 38 | 38 | 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.5 |
| offset, f (mm) | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| *bb drop (mm) | 26.8 | 26.8 | 27.2 | 27.2 | 27.2 | 27.4 |
| wheel size | 650c | 650c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c |
| wheel base, g (cm) | 92.7 | 94.5 | 96 | 98.1 | 100.5 | 102.5 |
| min-max saddle height (from bb)** | 73.5-60* | 75-61.5* | 81-62* | 84-70* | 87-73.5* | 91.5-76* |
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Softride Qualifier:
| geometry | | frame size | (49-53) | (54-56) | (57-58) | (59-62) | | head tube angle, a | 73' | 73' | 73' | 73.5' | | head tube length, b (cm) | 10 | 13 | 15 | 18 | | virtual tt length at 72' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 54.6 | 57 | 59.2 | 61.4 | | virtual tt length at 73' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 53.6 | 56.1 | 58 | 60.2 | | virtual tt length at 74' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 52.7 | 55.1 | 57 | 59.1 | | virtual tt length at 76' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 50.9 | 53.1 | 54.8 | 56.9 | | virtual seat tube angle, d | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | | chain stay length, e (cm) | 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.5 | | offset, f (mm) | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | | *bb drop (mm) | 27.4 | 27.4 | 27.4 | 27.4 | | wheel size | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | | wheel base, g (cm) | 97.8 | 98.6 | 101.7 | 103.8 | | min-max saddle height (from bb)** | 82-67.5* | 86-71.5* | 88-73* | 89-74.5* | | | | | |
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Softride LITE:
| geometry | | frame size | (45-74) | (48-50) | (49-52) | (54-56) | (57-59) | (59-62) | | head tube angle, a | 72' | 72' | 72' | 73' | 73' | 74' | | head tube length, b (cm) | 9 | 9.4 | 9 | 12.5 | 14.5 | 18.25 | | virtual tt length at 73' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 49.1 | 52.8 | 53.7 | 55 | 58.1 | 60 | | virtual seat tube angle, d | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | | chain stay length, e (cm) | 38 | 38 | 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.5 | | offset, f (mm) | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | | *bb drop (mm) | 26.8 | 26.8 | 27.2 | 27.2 | 27.2 | 27.4 | | wheel size | 650c | 650c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | | wheel base, g (cm) | 92.7 | 94.5 | 96 | 98.1 | 100.5 | 102.5 | | min-max saddle height (from bb)** | 73.5-60* | 75-61.5* | 81-62* | 84-70* | 87-73.5* | 91.5-76* | | | | | | | | |
Softride Classic LE & TT:
| geometry | s | m | l | xl | | frame size | (48-52) | (53-55) | (56-58) | (59-62) | | head tube angle, a | 73' | 73' | 73' | 73' | | head tube length, b (cm) | 9.75 | 11.5 | 16 | 19 | | virtual tt length at 74' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 53.1 | 54.2 | 59.2 | 61.4 | | virtual tt length at 75' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 51.4 | 52.3 | 58 | 60.2 | | virtual tt length at 76' seat tube angle, c (cm) | 49.7 | 50.5 | 57 | 59.1 | | virtual seat tube angle, d | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | 69-81' | | chain stay length, e (cm) | 38 | 38 | 38 | 38 | | offset, f (mm) | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 | | bb drop (mm) | 27.4 | 27.4 | 27.4 | 27.4 | | wheel size | 650c | 650c | 650c | 650c | | wheel base, g (cm) | 95.5 | 97 | 98.5 | 100.4 | | min-max saddle height (from bb)* | 80-64.5* | 82.5-67.5* | 86.5-72* | 92.2-78* | | | | | | |
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*BB Drop - How far the bb drops below axel line
*BB Drop - How far the bb drops below axel line
*BB Drop - How far the bb drops below axel line
*BB Drop - How far the bb drops below axel line