Bike Fitting

[TheFungle]

If you are happy with your existing position on the bike is it worth the expense?

When I bought my bike I did a lot of pre-measurements and they seem to suit the geometry of the bike, I also had a very experienced mechanic scrutinise me and apart from shortening the stem slightly the fit has been spot on.

So, even although it looks right and feels right would it be worth considering a fit?

Does having a bike fit magically transform you into Spartacus?

At the moment the bike feels good underneath me which is surely the most important thing.

[okgo]

I'm in this dilemma, I've been getting lower back pain on my race bike, I've moved a few bits about and today did 50 fairly quick miles on it, it felt fine, racing on it tomorrow, that will be the litmus test, if it still aches I think I'm going to get a fit. IF I was perfectly comfy on it though, I doubt I'd be paying £100+ for a fit...

Thing is normally people can only suggest that its your weak core, or you need more time in the saddle, at first I agreed, but now I'm thinking its something else.

[anonymous-user]

I can recommend http://www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk/ I went to him very early on in my cycling last year and his fitting was good. I also used him to set my cleats up which lots of people dont know how to do. With what I learnt I have setup a couple of club people and am considering going back when I get the SL3 as there are different fits for racing and commuting which is what I used to be more interested in.

Definitely recommended.

[Captain Beaky]

I'd heartily recommend Race Scene in Barnsley. I have had two bikes fitted there and know half a dozen others who have been very pleased with their results.

They go through a thorough measurement on a jig, adjusting the jig to make an ideal fit to your body shape and pedalling style. Then they take a look at your bike to see how it can be made to match the measurements. Luckily for me it was just new stems and a few adjustments. My wife's bike needed a new stem and handlebars. Others have had the depressing news that their frame is the wrong size... a perfect excuse to buy a new bike though There is no pressure to buy components from them, but if you choose to you can have them fitted there and then.

Unfortunately the fitting didn't turn me into a cycling god overnight, but it made the bike more comfortable and I think improved my pedalling efficiency.

[Rouleur]

http://www.cadencesport.co.uk/bike-fitting/

Adrian Timmis is an ex-pro and has a great reputation. He's not all that far from Lincs.

[The Stiglet]

I had my fit done from Sigma (Specialized BG fit) a couple of years ago but think I could do with another as I cycle so much more now and the distances are much further; various different pains/fatigued areas.

I'm quite happy to try a different place and saw this http://www.freespeed.co.uk/

Retul is a 3D mapping tool, which looks at both sides of your body over a period of revolutions to get the best idea of what's going on. (or so I read). Seems like many of the pro teams use it.

Any good?!

[Cookie172]

Are there any places that do this sort of thing in the South East (namely Sussex)

Everything I've seen seems to be either London or oop norf

[BPC7]

+1 to Cookie's comment

[ysnnim]

http://www.in-gearonline.co.uk/

Based in Uckfield, East Sussex.

Very professional outfit.

[rhinochopig]

The only slight concern I have with retul and the like is that having seen a couple of fitted bikes, they seem to be set-up for bio-mechanical efficiency, which doesn't always align with what's best for your back. I've seen a couple with big seat to bar drops, which increases your risk of back injury if you don't cross-train to ensure good lower spine support.

If someone goes ask them about this aspect please as I'm curious.

[outnumbered]

The LBS here uses the bikefitting.com system, and with that, one of the parameters is the type of riding you do - selected between things like "pro, racing, sport, leisure", etc. As I understand it, one of the main parameters this affects is saddle/bar drop.

To the OP's original question, I think getting measured can be very useful even if you think your bike currently fits you well.

I was fitted a few years ago when buying an expensive bike, which for me recommended a lot less saddle/bar drop and putting the saddle further back. I'd really been riding on too-small frames for 15 years, all set up in the wrong way.. The new setup was a big improvement.

[AyBee]

What does a fitting session actually entail? I, and I'm sure many others, do lots of different riding (road, commuting, offroad etc) which will all require slightly different setups / bikes and probably different shoes in many cases - do they just tell you how to fit yourself or just fit you to one bike with one pair of shoes?

[Captain Beaky]

AyBee said:

What does a fitting session actually entail? I, and I'm sure many others, do lots of different riding (road, commuting, offroad etc) which will all require slightly different setups / bikes and probably different shoes in many cases - do they just tell you how to fit yourself or just fit you to one bike with one pair of shoes?

I expect they all differ in detail but a significant part of the process should be a conversation about what type and style of riding you do and what problems, if any, you experience. You should expect to leave the shop with a well-fitting bike and knowledge of what changes you might make for your different activities.

[TheFungle]

One thing which I think I would benefit from is having my cleats set correctly, I've a nagging feeling that they aren't quite perfect at the moment.

I presume it wouldn't be an issue to have just that done or would they prefer it if I went for the whole lot?

[Captain Beaky]

TheFungle said:

One thing which I think I would benefit from is having my cleats set correctly, I've a nagging feeling that they aren't quite perfect at the moment.

I presume it wouldn't be an issue to have just that done or would they prefer it if I went for the whole lot?

They might prefer to do the full monty as the toe bone is connected to the foot bone which connects to the ankle bone etc. Cleat position is just one part of the story.

However there's no harm in asking just for the cleat part and see what they advise.

[AyBee]

Captain Beaky said:

TheFungle said:

One thing which I think I would benefit from is having my cleats set correctly, I've a nagging feeling that they aren't quite perfect at the moment.

I presume it wouldn't be an issue to have just that done or would they prefer it if I went for the whole lot?

They might prefer to do the full monty as the toe bone is connected to the foot bone which connects to the ankle bone etc. Cleat position is just one part of the story.

However there's no harm in asking just for the cleat part and see what they advise.

Agreed - I would imagine that cleat position and saddle height/position would all run hand-in-hand, there's no point having the cleat in the right position but it be a sretch to the pedal...

[Simond S]

Cookie172 said:

Are there any places that do this sort of thing in the South East (namely Sussex)

Everything I've seen seems to be either London or oop norf

Look at the shop in Southborough

A friend bought a bike last week from them and couldn't believe the difference between the manual set up and the fully computerised one he got.

[mchammer89]

yonex said:

I can recommend http://www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk/ I went to him very early on in my cycling last year and his fitting was good. I also used him to set my cleats up which lots of people dont know how to do. With what I learnt I have setup a couple of club people and am considering going back when I get the SL3 as there are different fits for racing and commuting which is what I used to be more interested in.

Definitely recommended.

I was just about to recommend this. He's a friend of mine and a great guy, know many people who've had bike fittings done with him and everyone has had nothing but nice things to say.

He's got a Capri as well, surely that's some extra points from a PH point of view!

[Magic919]

Yeah, the black Capri scored some PH points for me. Currently got one of their test saddles. Fitting session booked for early June.

[itsnotarace]

TheFungle said:

If you are happy with your existing position on the bike is it worth the expense?

No

TheFungle said:

So, even although it looks right and feels right would it be worth considering a fit?

No

TheFungle said:

Does having a bike fit magically transform you into Spartacus?

No

TheFungle said:

At the moment the bike feels good underneath me which is surely the most important thing.

Why risk ruining a good thing?