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I recently bought a bike from a LBS in Everett and I've not been very happy with them. They aren't very helpful when it comes to fitting a bike and actually helping you out. They don't hire women apparently and it's just impossible to talk to a 20 yr old boy about some of the personal issues relating to the bike. So I'm going to find another LBS to buy from. Who does the best fittings? I need to get my sit bones measured to find out what would be the best bike seat for me. Thanks for any help
Great stores:
Sammamish
Elliott Bay Bikes
REcycled Cycles
R & E mechanics are awesome, as is Smiley on the other side.
That's 4 different GREAT bike shops.
I shop at a lot of places for bicycle gear, but IMHO, bike shops don't do the best fits... PT's do - and sometimes your health insurance will even pay for it.
I can highly recommend www.realrehab.com
I agree that there are some good PT's in Seattle doing bike fits. As far as bike shops, I quite like Free Range Cycles in Fremont (Seattle). www.freerangecycles.com Owned by a woman, tiny shop, 2 wrenches. They will order anything for you, and they are GOOD at customer service.
Recycled Cycles is my other favorite shop, but I wouldn't use them alone as a bike fit. They have a PT from Group Health who comes in and does fits in the shop. She knows her stuff, but she seems more interested in sport/racing fit.
I know of one Seattle PT clinic where the head bike fitter (they have two, and both are women) is also a pelvic issues specialist. PM me if you want that contact info. Could be useful if you are having some pelvic issues, but really anyone can measure your sit bones for a saddle.
Erik Moen is the Seattle shining star for physical therapy based bike fitting. www.bikept.com
ETA: Smiley at R+E is a nice guy, but I've known of two women he's fitted incorrectly (as though they were men) and sometimes he can be so hyper that he's almost impossible. I like him, really, but he doesn't always get the woman thing right.
I second Knottedyet's recommendation of Erik Moen for bike fitting. I will go to him again if I ever get a new bike again. I bought my current bike from Kathleen at FreeRange Cycles. I liked the service and her prices. I also like Recycled Cycles for their 'can do' attitude. Might depend on who you talk to for picking out a bike, but there are some good people there.
Ah, we're talking about Bike fitters. Yes, Erik Moen is the best. We'll be seeing him again very soon, now that my tandem is done being used by another stoker.
I would rate both the PTs at Real Rehab, a place that specializes in working with racers/endurance athletes, and Erik Moen (cycling coach/racing background) at Corpore Sano, highly. Either place will get you an excellent fit with no bike-selling agenda as a distraction, as can happen at bike shops.
For bike repair that can't be done by my pretty knowledgeable spouse, we often use Seattle Bike Repair, next door to R&E Cycle.
As KnottedYet said, Smiley at R+E is a nice guy, but he has some very fixed opinions, ie he loaths Brooks saddles, puts lots of emphasis on Speedplay pedals, etc. He can be pretty intense and isn't always a good listener.
I agree with the recommendation of Erik Moen. I was seeing my MD for new orthotics, and from that discussion was referred to Erik for a bike fit. I felt Eric listened well and worked collaboratively with me. He also gave me some exercises for strengthening my core, etc. My insurance paid for my visits and I felt I it was time very well spent.
+1 on Erik Moen. He has been very helpful in addressing my bike fit issues, and has even been so kind as to squeeze me in on the Sat. morning before Memorial Day (when his office wasn't supposed to be open) to adjust the new pedals he recommended I get, so that I'd be all set to ride 7 Hills.
And another vote for Erik Moen for a fit. My insurance also covered the cost, although, it really isn't very expensive in the scheme of things...a good fit is priceless in my book.
As for LBS...I also like Sammamish Valley Cycles. They also do fits using the Serotta fit system, good way to go if you are going to invest in custom.
I'd also recommend Kirkland Bicycle Shop (Kirkland), Pedal Dynamics (Overlake Transit Center, Bellevue), and JRA Bike Shop (2 Seattle locations) as shops I've had positive experiences with. None of those shops do fittings, but they have great customer service.