Retul Bike Fitting
Discussion
Has anyone had any experience of this and able to give an unbiased review? I've read a few online but can't help but think they may have been given a free service for a favourable review on their sites...
I have tried messing around and fitting myself to my bike using youtube videos and a turbo trainer but just can't seem to gel with it. I am fine for the first 75-80 miles or so but anything after that and my shoulders and arms start to hurt and I just feel very uncomfortable. Usually results in me getting miserable and wanting to finish the ride as soon as possible as well and fidgeting around on the bike just making me slower and more annoyed!
I have been having knee problems for the last 6 weeks and after seeing a physio (my mum!) my patella glide isn't ideal (whatever that means, she explained, i forgot) and a bad cycling fit isn't going to help that.
I have tried messing around and fitting myself to my bike using youtube videos and a turbo trainer but just can't seem to gel with it. I am fine for the first 75-80 miles or so but anything after that and my shoulders and arms start to hurt and I just feel very uncomfortable. Usually results in me getting miserable and wanting to finish the ride as soon as possible as well and fidgeting around on the bike just making me slower and more annoyed!
I have been having knee problems for the last 6 weeks and after seeing a physio (my mum!) my patella glide isn't ideal (whatever that means, she explained, i forgot) and a bad cycling fit isn't going to help that.
The idea behind retul is that it takes that part away from it - they're applying the retul formula that uses specialist tools (the motion capture camera and sensors) to produce a formulaic fit. If you're a total freak it might not work for you I guess!
I had one half price when I bought my new bike, and I thought it was quite good. Deffo had no issues with the fit.
I had one half price when I bought my new bike, and I thought it was quite good. Deffo had no issues with the fit.
Strongly disagree - it's not just a case of plugging in the numbers. The retul system gives the fitter a lot of data to work with, and quality information about what you are doing on the bike dynamically - e.g. being able to average your knee angle over a bunch of revolutions while pushing a load, not one static measurement. Very good in that respect.
On the other hand, it is not entirely formulaic. Of course there are guidelines, but much of what you finish up with is how the fitter interprets the data and also your feedback.
FWIW my background is: Retul fit on a tri bike, patella tendonitis brought on by ramping training load too fast - particularly running, aggravated by an overly saddle forward / quad dominant cycling position. Then got it tweaked by another fitter who's moved the saddle back and up along with the front end (which is a shame!).. I'm now getting more glute/hamstring involved and the knees are far better, as is my run off the bike.
TBH, on a road bike I'm inclined to think it's overkill, but the main point is to ensure you see a good bike fitter - however they arrive at that fit is less important. A physio that specialises in bike fit would also be a pretty good call. Mine threw up a fairly significant (skeletal) leg length difference, which is now partially corrected with shims..
On the other hand, it is not entirely formulaic. Of course there are guidelines, but much of what you finish up with is how the fitter interprets the data and also your feedback.
FWIW my background is: Retul fit on a tri bike, patella tendonitis brought on by ramping training load too fast - particularly running, aggravated by an overly saddle forward / quad dominant cycling position. Then got it tweaked by another fitter who's moved the saddle back and up along with the front end (which is a shame!).. I'm now getting more glute/hamstring involved and the knees are far better, as is my run off the bike.
TBH, on a road bike I'm inclined to think it's overkill, but the main point is to ensure you see a good bike fitter - however they arrive at that fit is less important. A physio that specialises in bike fit would also be a pretty good call. Mine threw up a fairly significant (skeletal) leg length difference, which is now partially corrected with shims..
BMWBen said:
The idea behind retul is that it takes that part away from it - they're applying the retul formula that uses specialist tools (the motion capture camera and sensors) to produce a formulaic fit. If you're a total freak it might not work for you I guess!
I had one half price when I bought my new bike, and I thought it was quite good. Deffo had no issues with the fit.
"Computer says no" comes to mind.I had one half price when I bought my new bike, and I thought it was quite good. Deffo had no issues with the fit.
I had mine done by VeloMotion in Milton Keynes. There were 2 guys that worked there. The lead instructor for Retul in the UK. John something. And his "apprentice"
Guess which one I got
So after the "how flexible are you" physio work (very as it turns out) And had the Velcro dots applied and the loom. Matey put the bike on the Turbo for me and off I pedalled.
To be honest all he did was move my seat forward, levelled my extensions and seat (they were slightly downwards) Was that really worth £185? Not really. Maybe I was just more lucky than some in that the original shop I bought from gave me a fairly decent bike fit at the time.
Guess which one I got
So after the "how flexible are you" physio work (very as it turns out) And had the Velcro dots applied and the loom. Matey put the bike on the Turbo for me and off I pedalled.
To be honest all he did was move my seat forward, levelled my extensions and seat (they were slightly downwards) Was that really worth £185? Not really. Maybe I was just more lucky than some in that the original shop I bought from gave me a fairly decent bike fit at the time.
I was pleased with mine- as said, the physio side of things took a while..
Thinking it through they changed the following:
Saddle height
Bar height (stem slipped so it's pointing up., but moved down one spacer..)
Stem length
Hood position
Cleat position.
I'm now more comfy, and the ache in my shoulder has reduced which I used to get after 3 hours on the bike...
Have also been given a little booklet with stretches in to be doing! (And I can now touch my toes... Which I couldn't before so they must be working!)
Worth the money IMO - ensured I bought the right size frame for my new bike too!
Thinking it through they changed the following:
Saddle height
Bar height (stem slipped so it's pointing up., but moved down one spacer..)
Stem length
Hood position
Cleat position.
I'm now more comfy, and the ache in my shoulder has reduced which I used to get after 3 hours on the bike...
Have also been given a little booklet with stretches in to be doing! (And I can now touch my toes... Which I couldn't before so they must be working!)
Worth the money IMO - ensured I bought the right size frame for my new bike too!
Retul worked for me. Saw an improvement in comfort: no more numb bits or hands and it also appeared to improve my effieciency. I still make minor adjustments from time to time, especially so if you forget to clearly mark all the settings. Also, positioning cleats is a bit of a trial-and-error chore. It gives you a very good baseline, but as with anything, it's not foolproof.
He didn't even look at my cleats.
I did eventually (3-4 weeks later) get the email with the picture of my measurements on it. That was the sum total of their follow up. Sounded more when he told me about it.
TBH I just felt he was rushing. I was out in under an hour. Maybe hour 15 at a push. Obviously it's dependent on fitter, so YMMV
I did eventually (3-4 weeks later) get the email with the picture of my measurements on it. That was the sum total of their follow up. Sounded more when he told me about it.
TBH I just felt he was rushing. I was out in under an hour. Maybe hour 15 at a push. Obviously it's dependent on fitter, so YMMV
Retul is the new fad. Invest £10K in some fancy kit, churn punters out like there's no tomorrow (spending an hour at a time) and BINGO! ...Instacash. But, as said, it's a case of rubbish in, rubbish out. It takes all of a 1-2 day course to suddenly become a "bike fitter". Compare that to the years of Steve Hogg, The Bike Whisperer etc, etc, none of whom use any computers, laser-this or tracking-that.
Book now to see The Bike Whisperer: he's a waiting list that runs to weeks, maybe months and it's not "cheap" (but won't consider the job "done" until you're satisfied, no matter how many follow-ups), but when people from all over Europe travel to see him (inc. guys from the pro teams), you know he's good.
I went to see him earlier this year. Took nigh-on seven hours, but covered EVERYTHING, with a lot of time spent on shoes, cleats, and most importantly, you (length discrepancies, posture etc, etc). Can't recommend him highly enough.
Book now to see The Bike Whisperer: he's a waiting list that runs to weeks, maybe months and it's not "cheap" (but won't consider the job "done" until you're satisfied, no matter how many follow-ups), but when people from all over Europe travel to see him (inc. guys from the pro teams), you know he's good.
I went to see him earlier this year. Took nigh-on seven hours, but covered EVERYTHING, with a lot of time spent on shoes, cleats, and most importantly, you (length discrepancies, posture etc, etc). Can't recommend him highly enough.
Edited by Jimbo. on Monday 19th May 22:48
Edited by Jimbo. on Monday 19th May 22:50
Rich_W said:
He didn't even look at my cleats.
I did eventually (3-4 weeks later) get the email with the picture of my measurements on it. That was the sum total of their follow up. Sounded more when he told me about it.
TBH I just felt he was rushing. I was out in under an hour. Maybe hour 15 at a push. Obviously it's dependent on fitter, so YMMV
Wow - I was there almost 3 hours with mine!I did eventually (3-4 weeks later) get the email with the picture of my measurements on it. That was the sum total of their follow up. Sounded more when he told me about it.
TBH I just felt he was rushing. I was out in under an hour. Maybe hour 15 at a push. Obviously it's dependent on fitter, so YMMV
Rolls said:
Rich_W said:
He didn't even look at my cleats.
I did eventually (3-4 weeks later) get the email with the picture of my measurements on it. That was the sum total of their follow up. Sounded more when he told me about it.
TBH I just felt he was rushing. I was out in under an hour. Maybe hour 15 at a push. Obviously it's dependent on fitter, so YMMV
Wow - I was there almost 3 hours with mine!I did eventually (3-4 weeks later) get the email with the picture of my measurements on it. That was the sum total of their follow up. Sounded more when he told me about it.
TBH I just felt he was rushing. I was out in under an hour. Maybe hour 15 at a push. Obviously it's dependent on fitter, so YMMV
I had a Specialized BG fit on my Venge, wasn't happy with it and had a full Retul Pro Fit. Over 3 hours and made lots of changes to seat height, seat position, hood height, cleats also included flexibility and core strength tests. Very happy with the outcome, you get what you pay for, I'd say if a Retul fit is taking an hour, you've been taken for a ride.
My Retul took two visits - one on the fit bike before I bought a frame (in order to pick suitable frames - TT bike), and one to transfer that fit to the newly built bike. Total of about 6hrs. Not bad value for money at all (185 IIRC)
All of which goes back to the idea that it's the fitter that matters. Retul is just one tool in the armory of the fitter.
All of which goes back to the idea that it's the fitter that matters. Retul is just one tool in the armory of the fitter.
SoliD said:
Booked in for 6th June at Vankru Southampton - 2 bikes 4.5 Hours! Will post review when I have it done.
Not easy local to you. A lot of our club went there before he closed.I had Ben Hallam @ Bespoke (Clarkenwell, but they have Mayfair and a branch in Canary Wharf soon) do mine. Took roughly 3 hrs (including looking at my mobility, stretching etc etc), also had a follow up fit and cleat adjustments since (not charged). Plus was checked when slamming stem.
I'd recommend it as a positive experience (but only have experience of his fit), and its probably valuable if you have injuries, orthotics or are an odd size (tick all 3 for me).
Fitting wise, everything was explained, and adjustments / recommendations on set-up explained. I've ended up with a bikebuild I'm very happy on; even if the measurements all look odd (38cm bars, 165 rotor cranks, 54frame despite only being 5ft7 etc). As I've developed the only other change would be to go for a H1 frame; but at the time of fit not an option.
As above, I guess its about the fitter. Anything less than 3hrs would seem to be cutting it fine; given the scope of fit.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff