RETUL bike fit

[jarider]

Hey Ladies help me out. I live in Jamaica and my original bike fit was suspect. A lot of seasoned riders think my bike is too big for me. We dont have much to choose from here where it comes to LBS and experienced fitters.
Anyhooo I am looking for a new bike and have come across a few shops in the states that use a fit system called RETUL. Anyone have any experience or knowledge about this system.
Any info much appreceiated

[lovetotri]

The thing to remember about RETUL is that it is just a tool, not a system. It still relies on the fitter to make the proper decisions during fitting. That said though, RETUL is the only tool that gives concise angles along with immediate body feedback because of the 3D motion capture. The fitter can make educated millimeter adjustments not because of the old archaic fitting tools, but by concise data. In the right hands RETUL can give you a fit that will put you in a position of most speed, comfort and least chance for injury. Our shop in Clearwater, FL uses it and our successes with top level athletes, age groupers and athletes with major pain and injury issues has been great. Google RETUL and read all that has been going on with it.

[KnottedYet]

Dartfish does the same thing. Again, just a tool. Precise angle measurements don't mean much, because people aren't numbers. I always worry when folks get hung up on angles...

The best fitter I've ever met doesn't use any video system at all.

The best biomechanics researcher I've ever met doesn't use Dartfish or Retul. He uses a 60 fps camera with plain ol' video playback for most things, and something crazy fast like a 2,000 fps camera with plain ol' playback for real high-speed stuff. He doesn't measure angles from a 2D system (anything on a screen is 2D, it can't be avoided). He measures people instead.

I once drank the Dartfish/Retul Kool-Aid. Sexy computer tricks are impressive, but nothing substitutes for a good brain and a thorough exam of the rider's body OFF the bike.

Don't choose your fitter by what expensive toys they have. Ask other riders, ask sports med clinics, ask physical therapists; find out who they recommend.

If you can get a hold of Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists, that's a good book to have handy. (take all the numbers with a grain of salt, of course)

[MartianDestiny]

The thing to remember about RETUL is that it is just a tool, not a system. It still relies on the fitter to make the proper decisions during fitting. That said though, RETUL is the only tool that gives concise angles along with immediate body feedback because of the 3D motion capture. The fitter can make educated millimeter adjustments not because of the old archaic fitting tools, but by concise data. In the right hands RETUL can give you a fit that will put you in a position of most speed, comfort and least chance for injury. Our shop in Clearwater, FL uses it and our successes with top level athletes, age groupers and athletes with major pain and injury issues has been great. Google RETUL and read all that has been going on with it.

Give me an F-ing break. What a bunch of marketing crap! I feel like I just read a TV infomercial.

The "only" 3-D fit system...complete hogwash. Serotta fitters and Specialized fitters also use 3-D motion capture as well, and that's just the two I'm familiar with.

Archaic fitting tools? Like what? pray tell.

OP: In the end it's the FITTER that matters, the system, regardless of how high or low tech it is, is a tool only. Find an experienced, well recommended, well educated fitter and you'll be happy. Go to any old fitter because you believe his tool is somehow superior and it's a crap shoot.

[MartianDestiny]

I once drank the Dartfish/Retul Kool-Aid. Sexy computer tricks are impressive, but nothing substitutes for a good brain and a thorough exam of the rider's body OFF the bike.

Don't choose your fitter by what expensive toys they have. Ask other riders, ask sports med clinics, ask physical therapists; find out who they recommend.

If you can get a hold of Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists, that's a good book to have handy. (take all the numbers with a grain of salt, of course)

Said much better than I could have.

[KnottedYet]

My most important fitting tool is a mirror. I can show the rider what I'm looking at, point out the things I think are problems, have them watch to see what changes as we change their posture or their fit.

My goal when doing a bike fit is an educated rider.

I could totally mess up a fit, but if the rider has learned enough from me to KNOW that, and to come back and say, "Whoa, Knot, you f'ed up big time! This bit isn't right, and that bit isn't right. Do it over!" then I would consider that a success.

Bodies change and riding styles change all the time. An educated rider will be aware of their fit, will be able to assess their own fit, will know how to tweak it on their own, and will know when they need to come back for a re-fit or just a second pair of eyes to check their position.

Video systems are groovy educational pieces. I like being able to make a DVD of "before" and "after" with all the added reference lines, etc. to give the rider to cherish always and watch a zillion times. I like being able to slo-mo and say "look at this!" Dartfish is really just a nifty electronic mirror.

If you go to a fit, and come away feeling like you haven't learned anything, then I'd hesistate to go back to that fitter. One question to ask people about their fitters might be "did you learn a lot during the process?" If you'd rather just be passive and be done, then what really matters is did people come away from their fitter with a good fit.