Frequently Asked questions
Below you'll find answers to questions I often receive in regards to bike fitting, cycling PT and coaching. If you have any other questions feel free to reach out to me directly!
FAQ For Bike fit
What is bike fitting?
Bike fitting is the process of adjusting a bike to the rider in order to optimize comfort, performance and efficiency while minimizing risk of injury. A bike fit optimizes the rider's position at that point in time, so with changes in training, an injury/surgery, positive/negative life events and more, the bike fit will often need to be updated.
Who needs a bike fit?
Everyone who rides a bike should consider a bike fit! Whether you are doing the occasional "breakfast ride" or are riding hundreds of miles per week a properly fitted bike can make a huge difference.
What makes a good bike fit?
Tim's bike fitting process pulls from both his expertise in Physical Therapy as well as his training as a bike fitter. Tim believes the most critical component of bike fitting is consistent and clear communication with the rider. Tim takes the time to get to know the rider including their injury history, current life demands, and aspects that impact performance/recovery such as sleep, nutrition, and stress. Tim also gets to know how the rider moves off the bike by performing a functional movement assessment which Tim uses to provide exercise suggestions to the rider after the fit. Finally, performs an on the bike assessment which visually assesses and tests the rider's position all the while making sure to get feedback from the rider along the way. Bike fitting is not a singular event, it is a process and requires follow up even after the fitting is complete to ensure optimal results.
What should I bring to my bike fit?
- Your bike (if you have multiple bikes, we can discuss fitting more than one)
- Cycling shoes
- Your usual kit
- Any orthotics or insoles you currently use
- Any components you're considering
Is this fit performance-focused or comfort-focused?
Both.
Comfort and performance are not opposites. A well-fitted bike position should:
- Reduce unnecessary strain
- Improve power transfer
- Support breathing mechanics
- Enhance efficiency
Our goal is a position that you can sustain — not just tolerate.
How do i pay?
Cash, cash apps (Zelle/Venmo), and credit cards are all accepted.
How are the fit results shared?
The fit results will be emailed to you within 72hrs of your fit via email, which includes a PDF of the fit numbers and exercise suggestions to aid in your overall goals.
What does the follow up Fit entail?
Follow up fits are used to fine tune the bike fit. Depending on what is going on, Tim often gives specific instructions to try prior to the follow up fitting (at no cost). Ideally the rider tries the new fit for a few weeks/months prior to the follow up fit. Follow up appointments are upon request and are charged at a reduced rate compared to the initial fit. All riders are encouraged to email/text Tim with any questions in regards to their fit at any time.
What if I still have discomfort after the fit?
Bike position is only one piece of the system.
If discomfort persists, it may indicate:
- Underlying mobility limitations
- Strength deficits
- Training load issues
In those cases, we can integrate physical therapy or strength coaching to address the root cause.
Why do Nutrition, sleep and stress matter for a bike fit?
Sleep, nutrition and stress management are fundamental components of health, and health is a prerequisite to performance. As a Physical Therapist, Tim considers improving the health of the rider as one of the most important pieces to improving their riding experience, and arguably is more consistent in improving one's performance on the bike than the fit itself. Overall, the goal is to consider the entire person, not just them as a cyclist.
How often should I get a bike fit?
If your body changes, your fit may need to change.
Reasons to re-evaluate:
- New bike
- Injury
- Significant change in flexibility or strength
- Increase in training load
- Transition to racing
Many riders benefit from reassessment every 1–2 years.
Faq for Physical therapy
What makes your physical therapy different from traditional PT clinics?
Most traditional PT clinics operate within insurance-driven models that limit time and prioritize symptom reduction.
At Cycling Untapped, sessions are one-on-one, clinician-led, and focused on restoring full function — not just reducing pain. We address strength, mobility, load tolerance, and movement mechanics so you return to riding stronger than before.
Our goal isn’t just to get you out of pain.It’s to build a more resilient body.
Do I need a referral to start physical therapy?
Yes. California has Direct Access, which means you can see a licensed physical therapist without a physician referral.
Do you accept insurance?
We operate outside of traditional insurance networks. This allows for:
- Longer one-on-one sessions
- Individualized care
- Performance-focused programming
- No restrictions on treatment approach
If requested, we can provide documentation for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
How is PT different from your coaching?
Physical therapy is medically focused and appropriate when:
- You’re experiencing pain
- You’ve had a recent injury
- You need diagnosis and clinical assessment
- You require hands-on treatment
Coaching focuses more broadly on structured strength, mobility, and performance development.
Many clients transition from PT → coaching once pain resolves to continue building resilience.
How does PT integrate with bike fitting?
Sometimes discomfort on the bike is a positioning issue.Sometimes it’s a mobility or strength limitation.
Because we offer both services, we can determine whether:
Because we offer both services, we can determine whether:
- A positional adjustment solves the problem
- A rehab plan is needed
- Or both should be addressed together
This integrated approach prevents guesswork.
FAQ for Coaching
What makes your coaching different from other cycling programs?
Most cycling coaching focuses on ride volume or race plans. At Cycling Untapped, we focus on strength, mobility, recovery, and long-term resilience. We build your body’s capacity first — then support performance — instead of riding until something breaks.
Do you provide on-bike workouts?
Yes — through our TrainingPeaks add-on option, we can integrate on-bike training with detailed workload tracking. Without the add-on, coaching focuses on off-bike strength, mobility, and recovery.
How often do you communicate with clients?
This varies by plan:
- Foundation: Bi-weekly check-ins and messaging (1–3 days response)
- Strength & Longevity: Weekly check-ins and 1–2 day messaging
- Performance: 2–3 check-ins/week and <24hr messaging
- Rehab options: Daily check-ins and <24hr messaging
Why do nutrition, sleep, and stress matter for coaching?
Performance isn’t just about workouts — it’s about how your body recovers and adapts. Sleep quality, stress levels, and nutrition determine how well you recover and perform. We include guidance in higher coaching tiers to optimize these factors.
What equipment do I need?
For strength & mobility coaching, basic access to weights, bands, and mobility tools is helpful. If you want TrainingPeaks performance integration, a wearable (Garmin, Wahoo, Apple Watch, etc.) is recommended but not required.
How do workouts get delivered?
Workouts are delivered through your training app, with videos and instructions included. You can log your sessions and communicate progress directly through the app.