Luke Postlethwaite

Accredited Exercise Physiologist | Exercise Scientist | Researcher | Bike Fitter

Luke Postlethwaite is an Exercise Physiologist and Sports Scientist with over 26 years of involvement in cycling. He began riding at the age of 12, worked in a bike shop from 16, and has remained deeply embedded in cycling ever since. His personal riding background spans road cycling, endurance events, cross-country mountain biking, recumbent racing, Ironman racing, and state-level competition.

Luke is the founder of The Biomechanics and The Knowledge Exchange, a PhD candidate in pain science, and a lecturer at Victoria University and Deakin University. He also lectures internationally. His professional experience bridges clinical practice, research, and high-performance sport. He has worked with recreational riders through to elite and All Australian athletes, held strength and conditioning roles with AFL and NPL soccer teams, contributed to two world distance records as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, and served in leadership roles within Australian cycling, including Vice President of a National NRS racing team.

Luke has been fitting bikes for approximately 15 years, but his approach is grounded in clinical reasoning rather than rigid formulas. He does not view bike fitting as a linear process or a one-size-fits-all application of angles and numbers. Instead, he treats bike fitting as a complex problem that must account for the rider’s anatomy, injury history, pain experience, comfort, training background, performance goals, riding environment, and the constraints of the bike itself.

While aerodynamics, joint angles, and power metrics matter, Luke recognises that they only matter if the rider can sustain the position comfortably and confidently. A rider who is uncomfortable, guarded, or distracted by pain will not ride consistently or perform well. Sometimes the solution is a change on the bike. Sometimes it requires changes off the bike. Often, it is a combination of both.

What distinguishes Luke’s work is his dual role as a clinician and researcher who actively uses modern technology without being ruled by it. Data informs decisions, but it does not override lived experience or individual context. Evidence guides practice, but it is applied pragmatically. The aim is not to force riders into theoretically perfect positions, but to help them find positions they can tolerate, adapt to, and enjoy over time.

Luke is happiest when he is on his bike, and his goal is for every rider he works with to leave feeling confident, clear, and excited to ride theirs.

His biggest concern is that one day his wife might sell his bikes for what he told her he paid for them.

How This Approach Differs From a Standard Bike Fit

Many bike fits focus on achieving ideal numbers or matching a rider to a predefined position. While this can work in some cases, it often ignores the reality that riders are not static systems.

Luke’s approach recognises that cycling is a nonlinear problem. The rider, the bike, comfort, performance goals, training load, injury history, and life constraints all interact. Rather than chasing perfect angles in isolation, the fit is built around what is realistic, sustainable, and meaningful for the individual.

This means riders are not forced into positions they cannot maintain. Pain is not dismissed or worked around blindly. Performance is not prioritised at the expense of long-term enjoyment or health. The result is a fit that makes sense in the real world, not just on a fitting screen.

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What to Expect From a Bike Fit With Luke

A bike fit with Luke is thorough, thoughtful, and collaborative.

Riders can expect:

• A detailed assessment that considers riding history, current training, injuries, pain, and goals
• On-bike and off-bike considerations, rather than assuming the bike is the only variable
• Pragmatic use of technology to guide decisions, not dictate them
• Clear explanations throughout the process, without jargon or rigid rules

Every rider leaves with:

• A comprehensive written report outlining findings, changes made, and recommendations
• Clear guidance on what to do next, whether that involves bike adjustments, off-bike work, or no changes at all
• A strong understanding of why decisions were made
• Confidence in their setup and excitement to get back on the bike

The goal is simple. Riders should leave feeling comfortable, capable, informed, and looking forward to their next ride.