What the heck is a mini fit?

[PamNY]

I was in the LBS today and saw a sign explaining the benefits that come along with buying a new bike from this outfit. One of the was a "mini fit." I didn't ask because they were super busy -- there is a big bike tour on Sunday.

But I came home wondering -- what the heck is a mini fit? Is that a commonly used term? Are they off the hook as long as some portion of the bike fits me? Do I get to pick which part is going to fit, or do they?

I'm not buying a new bike right now, so this isn't a burning issue. Just struck me as strange. Reading here, I'd gotten the impression a good LBS will really work at fitting, and this is supposedly a good place.

[rubywagon]

A mini-fit at my LBS, isn't as in depth as the big fit. I had the mini and the fitter spend about a half an hour with me, positioned my seat and cleats, and made sure my knees/feet were in good position. I think the in depth fit takes a lot longer, and they do knee tracking, etc.

[MartianDestiny]

I would suspect this means they are going to more or less to a basic fit to the bike in question. Adjust saddle height, stem length/angle MAYBE saddle fore/aft. They'll probably just eyeball all these measurements. This is sort of the baseline standard. Expect to potentially have to pay for or pay the difference on stem or saddle swaps.

My shop's basic "to the bike" type fit when you are buying something off the floor means putting the bike on a trainer and literally measuring your angles on the bike. Basically gets you the same thing as above, but a little more scientifically/with a little more care. They'll also adjust cleats, etc, and because they are spending 30 minutes or so really looking at you physically are more likely to spot something odd that could be an issue.

This is in contrast with an all out fit. Typically involving a size cycle and lots of adjustments to find your "perfect" fit. SG goes through the whole kit and caboodle. Athletic profile (lots of questions), range of motion tests, stance/stature/gate analysis, relevant measurements (inseam, etc.), time on the size cycle with a motion capture camera, etc. It takes 2+ hours.

So even at a "good" LBS a fitting is not just a fitting. There are typically many different levels for different needs.

[PamNY]

Okay, thanks. I definitely will research this more when I get ready to buy a real bike.

[owlice]

It's what I have when there are cookies, but none of them have chocolate in them.

[PamNY]

It's what I have when there are cookies, but none of them have chocolate in them.

What? You don't go ahead and throw a real fit in that situation?