How many of you get your bikes (road) set up for you?
Discussion
I've always done it myself, having seen some "professional" set ups recently, I'm inclined to think its just another way shops can rip off MAMILs. There is enough info and advice on the web and in magazines to work out what to do if something doesnt feel comfy. Just take a set of allen keys with you on a ride and adjust things till you get it right. If it feels right it probably is...
I'd like one to see how far from the optimum set up I have got it but given its comfy over 100 mile rides, there is little point.
I'd like one to see how far from the optimum set up I have got it but given its comfy over 100 mile rides, there is little point.
Friend of mine recently had a Retul fitting done and raves about the difference it has made. To be fair though, he hadn't done many miles on the bike prior to this anyway so as has already been said, I think you could tweak the bike yourself to suit you better after a good period of time in the saddle.
I'm still tempted to give it a go though as although the setup of my bike feels comfortable to me, I guess I don't really know any different as that is the way it has always been...
I'm still tempted to give it a go though as although the setup of my bike feels comfortable to me, I guess I don't really know any different as that is the way it has always been...
I had mine done as part of the cost of buying a new bike - glad I did.
I had always setup my bikes in the past based on the setup advice available on the web, then fiddled with the setup until it felt 'right'. When I had the fitting my saddle was about 6 cms too high, seat was a few cms too far back and stem was too short - despite this I had got used to the position so it felt 'ok' to me.
When the bike was setup correctly the first few hundred miles felt 'odd', but I soon got used to it and found I could stay seated on climbs for much longer, and didn't get so uncomfortable in the saddle on longer rides. I used to find myself stretching my quads and calves after about an hour - don't really feel the need now.
I would recommend a fitting, you might think your bike is well setup but you might have just got used to a poorly fitting bike!
I had always setup my bikes in the past based on the setup advice available on the web, then fiddled with the setup until it felt 'right'. When I had the fitting my saddle was about 6 cms too high, seat was a few cms too far back and stem was too short - despite this I had got used to the position so it felt 'ok' to me.
When the bike was setup correctly the first few hundred miles felt 'odd', but I soon got used to it and found I could stay seated on climbs for much longer, and didn't get so uncomfortable in the saddle on longer rides. I used to find myself stretching my quads and calves after about an hour - don't really feel the need now.
I would recommend a fitting, you might think your bike is well setup but you might have just got used to a poorly fitting bike!
I had a full Retul when buying my new bike. They did it on my old bike and whilst the changes were very small (some as small as 4mm) they made the bike feel very different.
You can achieve the same if you want to keep adjusting things every ride but I wonder if you will ever achieve your ideal set up, or just eventually get to something that feels 'ok'. There is also the risk of damaging knees, achilles etc whilst the set up is wrong.
I am a convert.
You can achieve the same if you want to keep adjusting things every ride but I wonder if you will ever achieve your ideal set up, or just eventually get to something that feels 'ok'. There is also the risk of damaging knees, achilles etc whilst the set up is wrong.
I am a convert.
'Inadvertently' got one on my road bike - by a bike-specialist physio(!)
Did the full Retul on my TT/Tri bike; actually before buying, for several reasons; there are a wide variety of different frames out there all with different geometry (short/tall, long/low etc), and the position is more locked in, plus it's a lot of cash to dump on a frame that doesn't suit. Plus if I'm gonna ride for 6odd hrs I want to be comfy! Consequently got fitted on a fit bike/jig, then bought a frame from the list of ones that suited my shape and (lack) of flexibility.
Fast forward several months and I've got knee issues (largely due to running, but aggravated by bike). Take both to see the bike physio - lo and behold my TT bike is good, but the road bike is all over the place. Feels great, but not helping knees. Just about getting used to the new position now, and definitely a lot better off.
Also if you're buying, consider (objectively) your shape. vs the bike, even in road bikes there's quite a variation in geo. If you're a bit older / less flexible / out of shape, a long/low/flat out top of the range cervelo race bike might not best suit you (etc).. FWIW I ride a Scott CR1 road bike and a Cervelo(!) P2 (the P3/P4 are just too 'low' for me..)
Did the full Retul on my TT/Tri bike; actually before buying, for several reasons; there are a wide variety of different frames out there all with different geometry (short/tall, long/low etc), and the position is more locked in, plus it's a lot of cash to dump on a frame that doesn't suit. Plus if I'm gonna ride for 6odd hrs I want to be comfy! Consequently got fitted on a fit bike/jig, then bought a frame from the list of ones that suited my shape and (lack) of flexibility.
Fast forward several months and I've got knee issues (largely due to running, but aggravated by bike). Take both to see the bike physio - lo and behold my TT bike is good, but the road bike is all over the place. Feels great, but not helping knees. Just about getting used to the new position now, and definitely a lot better off.
Also if you're buying, consider (objectively) your shape. vs the bike, even in road bikes there's quite a variation in geo. If you're a bit older / less flexible / out of shape, a long/low/flat out top of the range cervelo race bike might not best suit you (etc).. FWIW I ride a Scott CR1 road bike and a Cervelo(!) P2 (the P3/P4 are just too 'low' for me..)
I'm tempted to get this done. Had a quick set up when I got the bike but the LBS to work (who are VERY thorough with servicing) do a full set up for £65,take 90-120mins and take loads of measurements, put info on computer to set things up etc.
Almost seems daft not to when I've got a bike which cost a fair chunk over £2k
Almost seems daft not to when I've got a bike which cost a fair chunk over £2k
I started getting bad knee pain and it got to the point where I didn't want to go out on the bike. I tried altering my position on the bike and changing the cleat position but nothing cured it. So I went to Pedal Precision at the National Cycling Centre and had my bike set up, and the knee pain went straight away. I suppose if I'd tweaked my position enough times I'd eventually have got there myself but the instant cure was well worth the money for me.
pablo said:
I've always done it myself, having seen some "professional" set ups recently, I'm inclined to think its just another way shops can rip off MAMILs. There is enough info and advice on the web and in magazines to work out what to do if something doesnt feel comfy. Just take a set of allen keys with you on a ride and adjust things till you get it right. If it feels right it probably is...
I'd like one to see how far from the optimum set up I have got it but given its comfy over 100 mile rides, there is little point.
My setup was fine on 600kms. Still, getting the cleats and shoes tweaked as part of a physio/bikefitting session made a large subjective difference. Without paying, I would need an experience mate to watch me on a turbo, I suspect. I had no insight into what was going on with my knees / heels.I'd like one to see how far from the optimum set up I have got it but given its comfy over 100 mile rides, there is little point.
I'm after comfort rather than outright performance. I've got a 600 at the weekend - 1'll see how things pan out. Regarding bar height, saddle height, for and aft, the changes were really small. My feeling was that the physio assessment was worthwhile, and the cleat setup was brilliant, whereas the bike fitting felt wasted on me. Still, the number of chunky chaps riding carbon bikes setup like tourers suggests the need is there.
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