Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists

This is a classical test on bike fitting and medical problems which can be related to a bike fit. It is interesting to learn that even some 16 years ago, when this book was published, Andy Pruitt was already working with his colleagues on computerized assessment of fit, which at that time was in its very early stages. Of course, many things have changed since that time. Now, computerized video systems are commercially available, and one can use power meters to optimize power output during fit. As sport evolved, as hardware evolved, standards of fit changed slightly as well. While this book remains a valuable resource written by one of the greatest experts in the field, one has to recognize that it no longer represents the current "state of the art" and may contradict (to some degree) to modern recommendations. Still a good book to have in one's home library as it has its timeless "gold nuggets".It terms of layout, it has three sections. Section 1 is "Bike Fit" (42 pages), Section 2 is "Remedies for Cycling Injuries" (53 pages), Section 3 is "Getting the most out of Cycling" (85 pages) which goes into everything from training to weight loss to comfort on the bike and biomechanics to stretching. A lot of information, although not in great depth due to limited length of the sections.I bought it because I had an issue, too much weight on my hands which led to gradually accumulating pain in the shoulder / upper back area. Andy's book suggested that a higher handlebar position could address it. I tried it and it was not a fix at all. It turned out that the idea of raising the handlebar was just the opposite to the correct solution which fixed the problem for me, which was to move the seat back to improve balance and to lower the handlebar. I found these clues in more modern guides on bike fit, and they worked. This is an example of how bike fitting art evolved over the years after this book was written, possibly along with geometry of the bikes.

42 y/o road racing 4 years, track 1 year. Not every step of the fit section makes sense to me, but overall many great tips. Was surprised to find in the knee ailment section a description of one mysterious pain episode that I had in the past and why it happened! Would have omitted the supplement section which he attributes to another source...if it's not in his wheelhouse not sure why he felt compelled to include it...others cover that in detail in many other sources (for what it's worth). I think calling it a "medical guide" doesn't do it justice. He's not a physician, but in his physical therapy and fit career he now knows more about fit and fit problems than anyone, it seems. Essentially it's a bike fit guide, along with ailments you get when bike fit isn't perfect! Great add'n to any cycling enthusiast's library.

If you are looking for great insight this is not the book for you... Complete medical guide should have been more focused on relevant matters in his expertise. For instance information on weight loss, nutrition and training should be left to another book perhaps. Just an unnecessary information shotgun approach (very dated advice too) and takes away from what I was hoping would be more information on bike fit why's and more so data, modern if anything, possibly using statistics-some data! Also, the rule of thumb or "plumb" or KOPS gave the plot away... This was going to be about tried and unproven or at best anecdotal.Some obviously good points concerning lack bike seat sizes (not so bad now) for a given style, overuse injuries by poor bad compensation and setting up the feet for success but I'm not sold on fixing varus issues. So much is coming of late of our over fixation on "correcting" feet or "accommodating" feet when the foot is one of the most adaptable interfaces with the physical world if allowed to do so without adding too much "technology"!My left knee caves in toward the top tube because of low back injuries, sitting job, sitting in general, tight hip flexors but weak on one side (left-go figure, eh?). The fix is not varus but rather: chiropractor, chiropractor, yoga (some mobility exercise), bike setup for comfort first, exercises to engage gluteus minimus and medias and an overall bike fit that allows back chain and front chain muscles to work in harmony, not overcompensate.All I'm pointing out is I would expect why to be asked more than once or twice to find root cause. Methinks this book looks at the first why or second.3 stars only because I read a one paragraph excerpt where one patient's fix was identical to mine, going from a 120mm bar drop to a 50mm drop improved comfort greatly and boosted performance despite our fixations on dropping our bars because of our inherent flexibility. For a person who can put their palms on the floor who doesn't have a long torso made everyone assume I could ride uber low. Ain't so!Many minor details missing too such as knee acceleration, unnatural plantar flexion to compensate high saddles etc. or any systematic approach like design of experiments where you test the extremes to find success.Good luck to anyone seeking comfort and performance. It's worth the journey!spd

This is a book that every cyclist should have. It is very simply written and set up to be easy to access timely information. It is especially helpful in setting up your bike to avoid injuries that you may not even know you are causing. It is now my goal to go to Colorado and be set up and evaluated on the bike. I am an aging cyclist (almost 60!!!) and this book has increased my hope that this injury prone body will push my bike for years to come.

Not a new book but still full of relevant information and advice on any medical issues for cyclists. Bike technology may have moved on but the tips/ techniques and advice for dealing with pain, discomfort and injuries has not changed. Recommended.

Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists. Great book, this is my bible and I refer to it often. I live in two countries and must have a few of this book in each for refrence. When I start my training in the warmer country in Spring, it has lots of mountain, it is always great to refer to this book. As our fitness,flexability and age changes, so does our bike position and if you listen to your body for minor changes this book hels expplain the issue you ahve in depth and offers solutions which work!

If you're new to cycling this book could be just what you're looking for. But if you've been around this sport for any length of time and read a lot of books on nutrition, hydration, biomechanics etc, then you will probably have covered much in this book. Probably could do with updating as well.

Very useful book. It has helped identify causes of several annoying pains!! I eventually booked a full bike fit in order to alleviate some of the issues and now cycle pretty much injury free.

Excellent book. One area that could be expanded is the section on rehab exercises, as it did not include some basic exercises I know to be excellent for combating knee pain. Otherwise it is a good all round book to boost your knowledge for training and bike fit.