James Lewin Attends International Bikefit Conference at Silverstone UK

The International Bike Fitting Institute Global Conference at Silverstone brought together leading bike fitters, physiotherapists and cycling experts from around the world to share the latest research and innovations in bike fitting.

At Star Physio, we are committed to delivering the highest standard of Bikefit Perth services through ongoing education, research and investment in advanced cycling technology.

As part of this commitment, our physiotherapists regularly travel internationally to attend leading conferences. We work alongside some of the world’s best bikefit professionals. Staying at the forefront of research and innovation helps us continue to provide cyclists with the most accurate, evidence-informed and enjoyable bikefit experience possible.  Whether your goal is improved comfort, injury management, recreation or performance, Star Physio has you covered!

Recently, Star Physio physiotherapist and bikefit expert James Lewin travelled to the UK to attend the International Bike Fitting Institute (IBFI) Global Conference at the iconic Silverstone Formula 1 Circuit.

James Lewin attended the conference alongside bike fitters, physiotherapists, researchers and cycling professionals from around the world for two days of education, discussion and collaboration focused on the future of cycling performance, comfort and injury management.

The conference featured many highly respected leaders in cycling and bike fitting. This included former British Cycling physiotherapist and bikefitter Phil Burt, Team Visma Lease-a-bike bikefitter Jon Iriberri, former professional Australian cyclist Simon Clarke and cycling educator James Thomas.

Why This Matters for Bikefit in Perth

One of the strongest themes emerging from the conference was the increasing emphasis on clinical outcomes in bike fitting.

Modern bike fitting is no longer simply about trying to improve speed or aerodynamics. International research and expert practice are increasingly showing that a well-executed bike fit can help cyclists improve comfort, reduce injury risk, increase enjoyment and support long-term participation in cycling.

This aligns strongly with Star Physio’s philosophy of delivering physiotherapist-led bike fitting. Injury history, movement assessment, biomechanics and cycling goals all play key roles in achieving the best outcome.

For recreational cyclists, this often means being able to ride longer with less discomfort. For competitive cyclists and triathletes, it can help maximise performance while minimising unnecessary strain or injury.

Saddle Comfort and Saddle Pain: A Major Topic

A conference presentation at the International Bike Fitting Institute Global Conference explored practical strategies to reduce cycling numbness, saddle pain and discomfort.

One particularly thought-provoking session by pelvic health physiotherapist Dr Hedwig Neels explored the causes of common cycling saddle problems including numbness, swelling and skin irritation.

The session highlighted how saddle discomfort is often influenced by multiple factors including:

• Bike position
• Saddle selection
• Pressure distribution
• Riding posture
• Clothing and chamois hygiene

Importantly, it reinforced that many saddle issues are position-related rather than simply requiring a new saddle.

At Star Physio, this reflects our own experience that objective assessment is essential when addressing cycling discomfort. Through our Gebiomized dynamic saddle pressure mapping technology, we can accurately assess pressure distribution and help distinguish whether the issue is coming from the saddle itself, rider position or biomechanics.

For cyclists experiencing persistent discomfort, numbness or saddle sores, this can make a major difference in finding the right solution.

The Future of Bikefit: Objective Measurement and Technology

Another key theme at the conference was the increasing use of objective measurement technologies in bike fitting.

Presentations showcased how modern bikefit systems are becoming increasingly data-driven, helping practitioners better understand the interaction between rider and bike.

Technologies discussed included:

• Dynamic pressure and weight distribution mapping
• Advanced motion capture systems
• Aerodynamic assessment tools
• Wind tunnel testing

These objective measures help translate biomechanical information into practical changes that can improve both cycling comfort and performance.

At Star Physio, our bikefit service incorporates advanced technologies including Gebiomized saddle pressure analysis, foot pressure mapping and high-speed video assessment to guide evidence-informed bikefit decisions.

Dynamic saddle pressure mapping showing how positional changes during a Star Physio bikefit reduced pressure and improved comfort using the same saddle.

Objective saddle pressure mapping can help determine whether discomfort is caused by the saddle itself or poor rider positioning. In many cases, significant improvements can be achieved without changing the saddle.

Wind Tunnel Testing at Silverstone

Wind tunnel testing at Silverstone demonstrated how small positional and equipment changes can improve aerodynamics, comfort and cycling performance.

One of the most memorable experiences of the conference took place inside the state-of-the-art Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub wind tunnel.

This session explored how aerodynamic testing can be integrated into the bike fitting process through both positional and equipment modifications.

The results were fascinating. Within a short period of testing, the group demonstrated a theoretical improvement of approximately three minutes over a 90km time trial, equivalent to around 18 watts, through relatively simple position and equipment changes.

Importantly, the session reinforced a key principle of quality bike fitting:

The fastest position is only valuable if it remains sustainable, comfortable and powerful.

Finding the balance between aerodynamics, comfort, breathing mechanics and power production remains one of the major challenges in cycling performance — particularly for triathletes and time trial cyclists.

Sharing knowledge with the World’s Best

Beyond the formal presentations, one of the greatest benefits of attending international conferences is the opportunity to exchange ideas with bikefitters from around the world.

James spent time discussing complex cases, different bike fitting philosophies and emerging approaches to cycling biomechanics with international colleagues.

Bike fitting remains a relatively young profession, with the earliest formal scientific investigations dating back less than 60 years. Yet the field continues to evolve rapidly.

For Star Physio, ongoing international education is part of our commitment to helping cyclists in Perth access world-class expertise without needing to travel overseas.

Whether you ride for fun, commute, race triathlon, compete in road cycling or simply want to feel more comfortable on the bike, our goal is to help you enjoy cycling more through evidence-informed, physiotherapist-led bike fitting.

Star Physio’s Bikefit Perth studio in West Perth uses advanced Gebiomized saddle pressure mapping and physiotherapist-led assessment to improve cycling comfort and performance.

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Our experienced physiotherapist bikefit team uses advanced assessment technology to help cyclists improve comfort, reduce pain and optimise performance.