Bike Sizing - How to get the right fit?

[ragbrai40]

I have a question regarding bike sizing. When I bought my road bike last year, other than standing over the middle bar to make sure I had the right crotch clearance and sitting on it for reach, they never did a "professional size" to adjust seat height, tilt, bar height, etc.

Now in my second season of long road riding and reading the numerous posts regarding aches/pains, correct sizing etc., I wonder if it would be a good investment to have the LBS where I bought the bike do one for me. They offered it at the time of bike purchase for a fee and I didn't have it done.

Also - in some other posts, some of the more experienced riders have commented on how perfectly the bike fits them and that they don't have issues with certain aches/pains.

When having a sizing done, do I need to be asking questions, looking for anything specific - obviously I'll share the issues, but other than that what should I expect? Thanks for any feedback...

[Irulan]

definately get a fit. Not only should they check standover, but top tube length, stem length, crank length, saddle fore/aft adjustment and KOPS ( knee over pedal spindle) for starters. My guys put me and the bike on a trainer, got out the measuring tape and checked all sorts of dimensions.

Even an adjustment of 1 mm in your stem can make a huge difference!!

Irulan.. bike fits like a glove

[Veronica]

Here's how Rivendell (where I got my bike) does it. Grant (the owner) is opinated, but he believes comfort is key.

V.

Rivendell Fitting (http://www.rivbike.com/html/bikes_framesize.html)

[Trek420]

"definately get a fit. Not only should they check standover, but top tube length, stem length, crank length, saddle fore/aft adjustment and KOPS ( knee over pedal spindle) for starters."

...and handlebar width, and....but frankly, I'd find ANOTHER LBS, any shop worth it's salt should fit you as part of the service, my LBS wouldn't let you ride out without making sure it fits. IMHO it's the single most important part your bike is the fit. I'd rather have a $40.00 garage sale bike that fits than a $3K bike that doesn't, well...maybe not ;-)

Nothing should hurt on your bike other than the soreness of a good hard ride.

"Even an adjustment of 1 mm in your stem can make a huge difference!!"

true, might be very minor adj.

TREK420 & now Mondonico.. both bikes fit like a pair of old jeans :D

[caligurl]

wow... the more i read on this forum.. the more ticked i'm getting at supergo!

we went to several different bike shops last weekend.. and ended up as supergo as they had the bike size that was recommended to me by the first one we went to (the dolce in a 51)

however the more i read.. the more i think my bike is too big.

i'm 5'2" and in my shoes i can stand over the bar. howeve in my seat i cannot touch the ground (or rather.. just barely on one tippy toe)

reading this thread it seems like i'm supposed to be able to be on my seat and both feet (toes) reach the ground????

also.. supergo has that computer sizing thingy and my hubby asked how much it was.. cuz he wanted to do it.. they said no charge if you bought the bike.. however.. then they just blew us off and another guy came over and said it wasn't necessary... and they would fit us if i had shorts, shoes and pedals (which we bought to get me fitted.

however once i put the shorts and shoes on.. they did nothing except tell me how to shift and unclip...

should i go back and demand the computer fitting? do you think my bike is too big and if so.. what are these kinds of stores return policies (i've had it less than a week)

help!

[bounceswoosh]

I can't touch the ground with both feet from my seat. Neither can the female friend with whom I usually ride. Having room between the top tube and your sensitive bits is much more important than being able to touch the ground from your seat.

It does make it a bit harder to get started on uphills, but that's about it. If it's a choice between being able to pedal comfortably and being able to touch the ground while seated, choose pedal comfort!

[jobob]

It's my understanding that, on a properly fitting road bike, you are not supposed to be able to touch you feet on the ground while you are seated in the saddle.

This is a really good article on the basics of mounting and dismounting (including a good way to get started going uphill)

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/starting.html

[caligurl]

oh ok... i'll stop wigging then... i do have the room between the bar and my girlie area... i'm off to read the article now!

[bounceswoosh]

Well, I'm on a mountain bike, and generally on a mountain, too -- I use the technique he describes to get started, but if the terrain is loose or chunky enough, it can still be difficult.

[hibiscus09]

Mine's 51cm and I'm 5'3.5" with a shorter torso and longer limbs --like a monkey! :D I had trouble with my bike also last year and ended up with very sore neck issues and hands -- they finally did a professional sizing and switched out the handlebars (they were too wide) and the stem. I haven't had any trouble since, but I agree that a bike shop should do all of this from the getgo when you're spending that much money on a bike! They understood I was a brand new cyclist when I was purchasing the bike and didn't do anything as far as sizing me to the bike other than asking how tall I was and then sending me out on it down the road to see how it felt. I had no idea what I was doing and I guess it's my fault for not researching better.

I may be giving up on my LBS and finding another one as I have another issue with them this year. I ordered 4 beach cruisers at the beginning of the spring and they still haven't delivered one of the bikes. They keep telling me it is backordered -- this news came to me when the first bike came in after I had already paid for all 4 bikes. It's still backordered. They also tell me they will call me back everytime I talk to them and never do. I'm getting older and am worried that soon I will forget I ordered a bike and paid for it!! LOL :D Just kidding! Anyway, it's not a very good way to run a business!

[bounceswoosh]

I hope you have the order in writing ...

I'm out $2000 on a "handshake" deal to order some stuff (I was young and I thought I could trust the guy. Trust is a bad idea when it comes to money.)

Seriously, you should ask for your money back. There must be a time limit. I mean, internet companies always end up cancelling your order and refunding your money if the backorder will last longer than 30 days ....

[hibiscus09]

Thanks for reminding me! I'll call this morning.

[Biking Chick]

If I could throw my two cent's into the discussion ....

Even after you've been fitted for your bike and you've put on a couple dozen miles if you start feeling a few aches that you know (or even suspect) aren't due to the amount of miles spent riding - you should have someone who is knowledgeable check to make sure your seat is the correct height (I am assuming that the procedure for checking is on one of the web sites that were sent in earlier messages). Moving the saddle up, down, forward or backward a fraction of an inch can make all the difference in the world.

If the front of the saddle is too high - even a fraction of an inch - it can cause a tremendous amount of discomfort ... especially for women.

Our son's girlfriend purchased a Trek 6700 from the lbs - it was the only one in stock and the owner (of all people) convinced her that it was the perfect size for her. A year later, it took a couple of different headsets and lopping off an inch of handlebar in order to have the bike fit her better (all performed by my hubby) ... still not the best fit but certainly better than it was.

I find it very empowering .. and helpful .. to be able to recognize when my body is telling me that there is something wrong with the fit of my bike. But that didn't come by osmosis ... I had to ask a lot of questions of people more knowledgeable about bicycles than myself ... and doing a lot of reading as well.

Don't be afraid to ask questions ... you shouldn't have to suffer in silence because you think your question is stupid. :)

Cindy

[caligurl]

ok... i gotta ask.. (cuz i'm too chicken to call the shop)... do shops (large chains.. specifically supergo) take back bikes?

the more i read the more disgusted i am with their lack of service (not doing the computer fit i asked for numerous times.. sending the bike home with a crooked seat... i don't have 2" standover... the look pedal issue... etc.)

i think i would rather just take the bike back and go elsewhere where i can get good service!! of course i'll have to wait for them to order a bike.. which is why i ended up with supergo... they had what i thought was my size... there we several shops that were closer (supergo is 2 1/2 - 3 hours from me)

or am i stuck?

[hibiscus09]

I dunno. I'm still waiting for the LBS to call me about my missing bike-- I called this morning and the guy has not called back. It's really starting to get on my nerves!!

[caligurl]

i'm beginning to think there are no good shops!

the closest one.. which is where my hubby got his bike.. does HORRIBLE tune ups and he refuses to take it back! the next closest... they were more trying to push other bikes off on me...

drove to huntington beach specivically to go to supergo... but checked out performance first... they actually had a bike i liked (OCR1.. very pretty!) but the buy ticked us off cuz he said we had to buy the bike before they would make any ajustments (seat height, etc) to see if it actully fit me.. my husband was livid! "you mean we have to buy it first.. then if it doesn't fit her... we are stuck with a bike that doesn't fit????"

of course.. supergo wasn't that much better.. we asked about the computer fit.. they took me and the bike to the area... but then.. .just like a carsalesman.. another guy came and started in telling us we needed shoes, shoes, etc first.. so hubby said.. fine.. we'll get some.. so i got the shoes.. some shorts.. and then they still didn't do the computer.. they basically raised the seat and asked if i could see the hub... i guess they wanted to go home as it was closing time..

hindsite says i should have left and either gone back another time.. or to another bike shop...

*sigh*

[pedalfaster]

I don't make it a habit, as an LBS employee, to slam other shops, but I think your chances of getter better, more personalized service will go up if you visit a few privately-owned independent bike shops. The Supergos and Performances are great places to pick up bargains...once you know what you are doing, but IMHO they don't offer very good service. Look for a shop where all of the employees actually ride. Find out which ones sponsor races, rides and other community events. If they offer women/beginner rides and clinics even better.

If a shop refuses to adjust a saddle height or swap out pedals for a test ride, thats a good sign to run (not walk) out the door.

Most independent shops will not take back a bike unless there is a warranty issue. But then most good shops don't need to if they've done their job and sold the correct bike to the customer.

In my perfect dream-bikeshop I'd have a fleet of rental bikes in all styles and sizes. You wouldn't even be allowed to buy a bike until you had ridden it for at least a month. :cool:

[caligurl]

*sigh*.. like i said.. hind site.. *sigh*

you say independents don't take returns... but supergo is a chain.. so do you think they may? or should i just save my sanity and not frustration and not even ask?

[bounceswoosh]

Being able to testride a bike on a real trail is huge, especially for mountain bikes -- riding around a parking lot just can't mimic the type of terrain you'll encounter.

But man, sometimes ... I ended up not buying a Klein Palomino because the bike shop couldn't get the shifting working on their demo bike ... even after I brought it back a few times. They told me it was just the demo bike. Like I'm gonna buy a 2K+ bike because they *tell* me it's gonna shift properly, honest. Yeah right. Anyway, in that case, they would have been a lot smarter *not* to let me demo the bike. Unless maybe they were trying to steer people away from the bike without actually saying so ...

Er, hi. I've rambled enough now.

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by caligurl
you say independents don't take returns... but supergo is a chain.. so do you think they may?
Originally posted by caligurl
ok... i gotta ask.. (cuz i'm too chicken to call the shop)...
Some independents take returns. Some don't. Some chains take returns. Some don't. Why are you afraid to call and ask them? What's the worst thing that could happen? It doesn't hurt to ask nicely. Even if their policy is to not take returns, they may consider an exchange or store credit if you have extenuating circumstances.

[hibiscus09]

I finally tracked down the guy in my LBS today and he said they had already started production of 2005s at Trek and weren't going to make any more of the bike I had already paid for that was backordered. The 2005s come out in August. I had ordered a Trek Bonnie (beachcruiser).

Well, since I've waited since April and still no bike, I just told him I'd rather get a different bike -- so now I'm waiting for a Giant Simple 7. Anyway, it's cheaper and he said he would give me a good deal on it since I've been so patient, so I'll be getting money back. :p It's supposed to come in next week -- cross your fingers. LOL

[Dogmama]

In both of your cases, I would ask to speak to the manager and calmly tell him/her that if your situation is not resolved to your satisfaction, you are going to the Better Business Bureau.

Lotsa luck!

[hibiscus09]

Thanks, dogmama! :) My husband has a business -- he's a car dealer -- and he mentioned consumer affairs. However, if I get a bike next week and get a decent deal, I'll be okay with all of this. I doubt I'll be buying bikes from this place in the future. I don't blame them for Trek's inability to produce the bike, however, I think they should have gone out of their way to stay in touch with me on this matter, which they didn't. I had to call 3 times for their every 1 time of returning a call. Not good.

[Dogmama]

I routinely avoid Supergos, Performance, etc. like the plague. We used to have only independent shops, but slowly (like amoebas) the chains are moving in.

I *finally* found a good lbs. It is a small, independent, hole-in-the-wall been here forever shop. (drum roll) They fixed my shifting! One of my springs was broken, the others were worn out (10 years, I'd expect that!), the changed cables & it shifts like a dream! And cheaper than any other shop in town too! PLUS,they told me that the cables will stretch so bring it back in anytime & they'd adjust it again while I wait (I think I know that adjustment, though, so I can pass).

The big chains have bought up several independents. When I mentioned to one of them that I thought that was a shame, they just didn't understand it! They said that people drove hundreds of miles from Tucson to Phoenix to save $$ at their shop. Like that is all there is...

I had my custom bike made at a really small LBS. Then, the owner started expanding. Guess what? His service went into the toilet, his salespeople were clueless and his stock was worthless. They were eventually bought out by Supergo.

OK, rant off.

[caligurl]

well i think, overall, i have learned that next time i get a bike.. i will go to a smaller shop. however.. i don't think that will be a while.

supergo did redeam themselves pretty much today. i didn't plan to go back until next weekend (they are over 2 hours from us).... however.. when i fell off my bike cuz i counldn't unclip (and i had just turned a corner without safely stopped for being unable to unclip) hubby said we were going back and getting new pedal NOW.

i was set for a fight (well.. for hubby to fight)... but fortunately it was a different manager and he was very accomodating! we got speedplay x-3's... we also got price matched on my shoes which were 40% off this week! woo hoo!

we even ended up buying more stuff! including some really cool oakley's for me! lol!

we got home to late to go for a ride with the new peddles.. but i did some practicing on the trainer.. HUGE difference! and the float! WOW!

[hibiscus09]

I'm glad you were able to get the new pedals. It made a big difference for me to switch to the Speedplays. :)

LOL, on the Oakley's -- my sweetie just bought me new Oakley's about a month ago -- I love them! :cool: