Catrin
01-13-2011, 07:49 AM
Tomorrow afternoon I will meet with my fitter and we are going to work with Gunnar's initial design on his fit bike. His counterpart at Gunnar has indicated they may recommend I go with a true custom size rather than one of their stock sizes in order to meet my fit requirements, physical limitations, etc.
If this is their recommendation when they send him their design he is going to ask them the exact reasons they consider it necessary, and what I would give up if I went with a stock size. The custom up-charge for the frame is $300 and while I will do it if needed, I want to make certain that it really is appropriate. This would still make the total price of frame and fork no more than that what I would have paid for a Luna frame, so it is not unreasonable if we do need to go this route. My fitter has also told me that Gunnar/Waterford almost never recommends this route as the range of stock sizes is enough to fit most people.
Outside of the whole custom/stock question - are there other questions I should ask at my fitting tomorrow? I do understand if we do go custom there will be more fittings to come in order to dial everything in. Tomorrow I will know which direction we need to go, and that will be a significant step forward :)
UPDATED: My fitter just called me and he does have the final Gunnar design. They are indeed recommending a custom design based upon the Crosshair, not the Sport. This is due to multiple reasons, my proportions, need for a very upright position and other physical needs. They don't have a stock size that will quite fit me in either Sport or Crosshair. Their 48cm is too small and their 50cm they feel would be too large for my reach, I need a 49cm - leave it to me to be "special" :cool:
Fit is what matters - and Gunnar recommended 26 inch wheels without even knowing that is my preference - so that is all good. I have had significant fit issues with both of my bikes, so if this is the best way to assure I have the right fit then so be it. I will need custom wheels so I don't wind up with heavy overbuilt (for my needs) mountain bike wheels, but I really do like the versatility of 26 inch tire sizes.
Any other questions I should ask tomorrow at my first fitting? I understand there will be others to come.
If this is their recommendation when they send him their design he is going to ask them the exact reasons they consider it necessary, and what I would give up if I went with a stock size. The custom up-charge for the frame is $300 and while I will do it if needed, I want to make certain that it really is appropriate. This would still make the total price of frame and fork no more than that what I would have paid for a Luna frame, so it is not unreasonable if we do need to go this route. My fitter has also told me that Gunnar/Waterford almost never recommends this route as the range of stock sizes is enough to fit most people.
Outside of the whole custom/stock question - are there other questions I should ask at my fitting tomorrow? I do understand if we do go custom there will be more fittings to come in order to dial everything in. Tomorrow I will know which direction we need to go, and that will be a significant step forward :)
UPDATED: My fitter just called me and he does have the final Gunnar design. They are indeed recommending a custom design based upon the Crosshair, not the Sport. This is due to multiple reasons, my proportions, need for a very upright position and other physical needs. They don't have a stock size that will quite fit me in either Sport or Crosshair. Their 48cm is too small and their 50cm they feel would be too large for my reach, I need a 49cm - leave it to me to be "special" :cool:
Fit is what matters - and Gunnar recommended 26 inch wheels without even knowing that is my preference - so that is all good. I have had significant fit issues with both of my bikes, so if this is the best way to assure I have the right fit then so be it. I will need custom wheels so I don't wind up with heavy overbuilt (for my needs) mountain bike wheels, but I really do like the versatility of 26 inch tire sizes.
Any other questions I should ask tomorrow at my first fitting? I understand there will be others to come.