New Bike & Fit Report

Hey everyone! Long overdue bike report here. I decided it was time to upgrade my "entry-level" road bike from a triple to a compact-double, carbon frame, ultegra components and still a relaxed geometry. I decided on my dream Madone (I'll skip the research and shopping part of the story--you've heard that one before--I don't understand why it has to be so complicated though :o ). My LBS had one in stock, but I rented one for the day from the Trek store (my birthday!) However, they couldn't order one for me or sell me the rental I just rode (It's July, you know).

We moved on to Maplewood Bike Shop in St. Louis. Two friends recommended it, and they are one of the bigger shops in St. Louis (and a Trek dealer). Walking in the door, I met Molly who was inspiring--a girl that works at a bike shop and races! We quickly ascertained that they also didn't have the bike in stock, couldn't order one yet and everything else would be a compromise. She promised to check the computer daily and recommended a quick fit with one of their bike fitter's to firm up what I would need to order.

I thought I had received a professional fit when I purchased my previous rode bike, but once again, my eyes were opened to a whole new world of cycling. Tim patiently listened to my questions, spent lots of time answering and then after some time on my bike, recommended some small tweaks that made a world of difference. Here's a rundown:

"I hate pink. Can I order the men's frame and swap out the handlebars? Other manufacturer's don't even have WSD. What's the difference?" Other manufacturer's haven't spent the money on R&D. The handlebars are no longer labelled "WSD" because there are men who also need the narrower bars with a shorter reach. Yes, it's possible the cranks may also have to be swapped out (basically, the men's relaxed H3 fit is "standard" on the WSD Madone. The geometry is exactly the same. Check it out on their website. He seemed to tread carefully here--possibly not wanting to speak against the mother ship).

"My Brooks saddle is starting to lean to the left. Do you do sit bone measurements? Should I swap it out for a narrower Brooks?" He shook his head at the topic of saddles. He said he wished everyone could have a custom saddle. There was a company that came up with a film to put on your saddle to show pressure points, but it was still trial and error to find the right saddle. Everyone is asymetrical is some way. Brooks are good for molding to your body. You could buy a new one, but you'd have to break it in again. That one has already conformed to your body. I'd leave it on. (No structural integrity lost.) He also discussed the noseless saddles.

Then onto the fit on my old bike. He asked how long I've had the bike, where I bought it, if I've had a bike fit before, how much riding did I do, any aches or pains, do I ride in the drops? We thought it was a 50 frame, and according to research on the internet, I should be on a 50 (and that's what I rented. I was starting to feel stretched out on my old bike, now that I spend more time in the hoods instead of the flat horizontal). However, he confirmed my current bike was a 52, and that was correct. He also confirmed the geometry was good for me and the H3 Madone would be even better, because it was almost identical but with a slightly taller head tube.

He suggested moving my seat back a bit, changing out my stem for a more upright stem (17 degree?) and tilting my hoods back towards me (didn't know you could do that). He said this should help with my back and get me in the drops more ;) I agreed to everything.

When done, I 'fessed up that there was a 52 WSD Madone 5.2 at my LBS. He said I could bring it back and he'd switch everything over.

Here's that bad part. I pulled out of Maplewood and called my LBS on the phone. Yes, they still have it. I drove straight over. "Did I want to ride it?" Nope. How much? "Well, that's the retail price." You told me on the phone last week it was on sale, $200 off? "Well, it's the last one in town." I prepare to walk out. "Let me check the computer." After some dickering and name dropping (a friend of a friend who I have only talked to on the phone, is a friend of the owner :p ) I finally got the sale price.

I asked him for a quick fit, and he said to bring in my bike and he would set it up the same (still on the bike rack from my fit at Maplewood). It took him 5 min to find a tape measure, knocked my old bike over in the process and sold a mountain bike to someone else while he worked). I couldn't wait to get out of there. Finally, "well I changed the stem--I'll have to charge you cost for that--and adjusted the seat. Your hoods are slightly different, but I'd have to take off the handlebar tape. It's close enough. Need a pink saddle or water bottle?" I just paid Tim a lot of money and I'm guessing it's not CLOSE ENOUGH! "Bring it back in a month or two for adjustments." You told me 100 miles last time. "100 miles or a month or two." Um, that's a wide spread for me! I bolted.

I rode the stock saddle that weekend, threw it in the trash, put my B68 on, took it back to Maplewood the next week for my refit (thanks again, Molly for being so nice) and purchased some accessories. I have a new LBS and a sweet ride :D:D:D

The gearing is a vast improvement for me. I'm spinning at a higher cadence and faster speed! That could also be a factor of the lighter weight frame (I gave up on my diet and bought a lighter bike;) ). I feel like I have my own personal tailwind! My hills are feeling better--no standing required on the usual hills and I haven't run out of gears yet. I have a few monsters we haven't been on yet, but I'm optimistic. My long ride of 40 miles last weekend was very successful and the Ride the Rivers century in St. Louis this fall is back on the calendar. I'm up to my goal pace, and for the first time, I don't think DH is completely bored while riding with me--he may even have broken a sweat :cool:

Woohoo! And isn't she a beauty!
Your experience with the old LBS is about what I got at my old LBS. "Close enough" indeed! And a few MONTHS between fittings? Hahaha.... no. Besides that... I don't think he cared. It might have been a really crappy fitting in the end (hm, like my old LBS).

Sweet new sled! Glad to hear you've got a great fitter.

I thought of you this week while in Springfield, Mo where a shop had a Madone 5.2 WSD in a 52 with blackwalls! However, it was a double and was gone two days later when we went back to buy a torque wrench. I really love my 5.2 and think you will have a ball with yours. Congrats on the new ride!!!

P2

We just got a line on a a very reasonably priced 5.5 (my understanding is that the geometry is the same as the 5.2) frame. I am currently in a 2.1 WSD. We're twins!

How do the 2.1 and the 5.2 compare in geometry? Pretty similar?

Hey twin!
I stared at the geometry charts until my head swam. The fitter said geometry from 2.1 to Madone is very similar, except for a taller head tube (more relaxed geometry of H3/WSD). As I recall, the only reason I didn't look for 5.5 was $500 price difference and I didn't like the color :eek: