Dynamic Cycling Fit: Postural study enters a new era

The Dynamic Cycling Fit (DCF) system promises to take cycling posture to an unprecedented level, with an ultra-precise machine that even simulates changes in the rider's position depending on the slope. It will be available soon in select Giant stores.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©DCF / DR

Dynamic Cycling Fit is a subsidiary of Giant, the world's leading bicycle manufacturer.. The company thus benefits from its internal resources and external expertise for the development of its products. It began by working on Giant and Liv shoes and saddles, equipment designed with the cyclist's movements in mind. Today, the DCF logo is exclusively reserved for tools related to postural studies.

Its new DCF Bike Pro, a machine for dynamically adjusting the cyclist's position, and its markerless motion tracking application are at the cutting edge of technology.. Nevertheless, DCF claims that the cyclist's sensations always remain essential, and that it offers a postural study in the real world, that is to say completely centered on the practitioner.

Multiple levels of postural study

The goal of a postural study is to find the position on the bike that best suits. For casual riding, absolute precision is not necessary, but comfort is essential. The process of adjusting the bike must be convenient and quick. For a sporty or even performance position, whether to emphasize control and handling, or power and endurance, everything is more complex. The more performance matters, the more precision is important. The more precise the position, the more performance can be obtained, but the more care and precision is required to avoid fatigue, discomfort or injury.

Dynamic Cycling Fit first offers the DCF Essential, a quick adjustment solution that offers the correct frame size and a suggested position. A sufficient system for occasional riders.

DCF Premium comes next, a simplified system that creates and verifies a position on an adjustable bike or on the bike with a home trainer. The system is ideal for performance riders who want to ensure they are using the correct position settings.

The DCF Supreme is finally the highest level in the field of postural studies. It has been under development for years and has been testby the Jayco team. This is a complete and ultra-precise solution that we have been able to see testée with former professional rider Sylvain Chavanel.

The most advanced postural study step by step

The most complete postural study always begins with an interview between the cyclist and the operator, in order to identify cycling experience, injury history and sporting goals. Then, the operator performs an accurate measurement of body dimensions, several times if necessary, in order to guarantee absolute precision. Then comes the time of thephysical assessment and anatomical analysis, in order to take into account the cyclist's range of motion.

The next step is adjusting the cleats and choosing the saddle, to ensure comfort and power transfer. The operator may offer to opt for DCF thermoformed insoles, molded directly from the feet, which provide a more balanced distribution of body weight, and avoid tension and discomfort.

This is where the first time comes in DCF app on tablet. Thanks to algorithms and the DCF Bike Fitting database, it allows you to find the right bike size (regardless of brand) and initial adjustment with just a few body dimensions.

Then, the cyclist is placed on the DCF Bike Pro, an ultra-advanced fixed bike with an advanced articulation system to offer a very wide range of motion and real-time adjustment without tools to find the best position of the rider. All controlled by the operator from the tablet application. AI & ML Kit Pose Detection technology is used for video analysis of movements to check the rider's posture on the bike and adjust the settings accordingly to optimize it.

The DCF Bike Pro is equipped with a slope simulator, adjustable resistance and a power sensor to capture the rider's dynamic data in different real-world riding scenarios.. It benefits from a wireless length and height adjustment system that can be fine-tuned to within 1 mm. The position of the saddle and handlebars can be adjusted while the cyclist pedals, which increases precision by keeping the cyclist on the contact points constantly, without having to get off the bike. He can therefore directly feel the benefits, or ask to go back if necessary. It is thus possible to quickly compare positions, one after the other in seconds. This is what makes the DCF Supreme unique.

The slope simulator is an additional asset of the DCF Bike Pro, because it allows the cyclist's position to be adapted to their usual riding terrain. Indeed, when the bike is tilted up or down, the body weight and possible muscle tension required to maintain the position are different from those encountered when riding on the flat. The simulator thus allows you to find the best compromise of position in terms of performance and comfort.

Because in the end It is the operator, aided by feedback from the cyclist throughout the postural study process, who decides on the final settings, not the computer. DCF operators are trained and certified specialists, but always prioritise communication with the cyclist. The DCF app and hardware are simply optimised to support this process.

The example of Sylvain Chavanel

Sylvain Chavanel is 45 years old, and he was a professional from 2000 to 2018He participated in 18 Tours de France, winning three stages, in addition to seven French champion titles (one in route and six time trials). He continues to ride and race for fun.

He served as a guinea pig during the presentation of the DCF Supreme postural study in France, which we were able to attend at the beginning of September. The study allowed him to tester different configurations, whether in length or height of the saddle and the pilot positiontage, in order to optimize its comfort and efficiency. Thanks to the operator-controlled movements of the DCF Bike Pro, he was able to directly see the influence of each change in the settings on his position., whether thanks to the slope simulator or the resistance of the device. Moreover, the former professional readily admitted to being very "occupied" by the effort, as his sweating at the end of the session could attest.

As proof of the interest of the exercise and the finesse of its feedback to the operator, the saddle height validated in the end was identical to within 1 mm of the adjustment of his usual bike. On the other hand, A few small modifications to the height and length of the stem allowed him to choose another frame size for his future bike, for better posture and pilot balancetage.

The Dynamic Cyclist Fit system is therefore aimed at several categories of cyclists, from pure amateurs to professionals.. For the most elaborate solution, the investment is substantial (around €300, although we do not yet have the exact prices) but can solve many small pains to pedal with more pleasure and more efficiency. This is the most complete postural study to date, but like all competing systems, it is above all the operator's experience that will validate or not the customer's satisfaction.

This study should soon be offered in certain Giant network stores.

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