Bike fit

Hi there!

This place is great!

I'm 5'0" and inseam without shoes is 26.5", maybe a hair over.

I bought my first bike last spring (Specialized Myka HT) and found that I love to ride (though mostly neighborhoods and paths). For being a sporty, yet not very athletic person, I finally found a sport I love and can do!

Wondering about bike fitting. I feel like there are adjustments that can make me more comfortable. Are all bike fittings equal? The LBS where I bought my bike has a bike fitting but another local shop has a well reviewed professional fitter for a little more coin.

Thanks!

A bike fitting is never a bad idea and usually results in far greater comfort on the bike, which in turn leads to, more bike love and more riding. :) Without knowing the specifics of your choices, it's really hard to give you any feedback on that. A lot of women here have used Specialized's BG or Tru Fit services and had positive experiences, myself included. (you don't need a Specialized bike to use this service). You may also want to do a search on this forum because bike fitting has been discussed a lot.

Happy riding and welcome to TE!

The skills of a professional fitter really do matter. If I had the choice of going to a shop that had the most current fitting "system" but had a fitter with not so much experience or who doesn't know how to listen (and they are out there), or a shop that didn't have a fancy fitting system but had a skilled and talented fitter - I would take the latter every time. The fitting systems are useful, but the users have to understand what fitting is about - it is a very dynamic process and really is about more than simply measurements. Parts of bike fit is certainly objective, but some elements are subjective.

I've had very bad, and quite good experiences with fitters. Ask around and find out the reputation of the other shop. Most stores do provide a basic fitting with the purchase of a bike but depending on your needs a more intensive process (for more coin) might serve you well.

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Originally Posted by Norse

A bike fitting is never a bad idea and usually results in far greater comfort on the bike, which in turn leads to, more bike love and more riding. :) Without knowing the specifics of your choices, it's really hard to give you any feedback on that. A lot of women here have used Specialized's BG or Tru Fit services and had positive experiences, myself included. (you don't need a Specialized bike to use this service). You may also want to do a search on this forum because bike fitting has been discussed a lot.

Happy riding and welcome to TE!

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Thanks for the welcome Norse! I did a search and found both places I was thinking of. I will call both and see which I like better.

As for the bike love, I know I'm getting there...I'm already thinking of what's next!

:D

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Originally Posted by Catrin

The skills of a professional fitter really do matter. If I had the choice of going to a shop that had the most current fitting "system" but had a fitter with not so much experience or who doesn't know how to listen (and they are out there), or a shop that didn't have a fancy fitting system but had a skilled and talented fitter - I would take the latter every time. The fitting systems are useful, but the users have to understand what fitting is about - it is a very dynamic process and really is about more than simply measurements. Parts of bike fit is certainly objective, but some elements are subjective.

I've had very bad, and quite good experiences with fitters. Ask around and find out the reputation of the other shop. Most stores do provide a basic fitting with the purchase of a bike but depending on your needs a more intensive process (for more coin) might serve you well.

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Thanks Catrin...I'd definitely go with the latter choice too. As for asking around I don't know too many riders, but the couple I do I'll see if they're familiar.

Oh, I found in the archives a reference to Serotta system? What is that?

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Originally Posted by Catrin

The skills of a professional fitter really do matter. If I had the choice of going to a shop that had the most current fitting "system" but had a fitter with not so much experience or who doesn't know how to listen (and they are out there), or a shop that didn't have a fancy fitting system but had a skilled and talented fitter - I would take the latter every time. The fitting systems are useful, but the users have to understand what fitting is about - it is a very dynamic process and really is about more than simply measurements. Parts of bike fit is certainly objective, but some elements are subjective.

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That. Numbers are a starting point.

Now, I just had my bike fitted (bike shop uses the BG Fit system), and it's like a different bike. There are a few changes that I still need to make (because I'm poor), but it was well worth the money.

Owlie, do you recommend a shop for this?

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Originally Posted by MichelleOH

Owlie, do you recommend a shop for this?

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PMing you.

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Originally Posted by molasses85

Are all bike fittings equal? The LBS where I bought my bike has a bike fitting but another local shop has a well reviewed professional fitter for a little more coin.

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Speaking from experience, I would spend a little more and go to the shop with the best reputation for fit. You could spend a little less initially, get a less than ideal fit, and still have to shell out for a fit at the other shop. That's what happened to me. I would have saved money by going to the shop with the fitter with a national reputation first.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

The skills of a professional fitter really do matter. If I had the choice of going to a shop that had the most current fitting "system" but had a fitter with not so much experience or who doesn't know how to listen (and they are out there), or a shop that didn't have a fancy fitting system but had a skilled and talented fitter - I would take the latter every time.

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+1. Bottom line - if you aren't comfortable you won't ride.

The guy who fitted me on my Madone took one look & said, "seat needs to come up and stem is too long." Knowing better (not!) I said, "Oh, it feels great, let me ride it like this." 5 miles into my first ride, I knew he was right. I have a wonky neck & slipped lower back vertebrae, so even though the numbers may be right for an average rider, they stretch me out too far.

Thanks for all the help everyone...I took my bike to the LBS that I bought it from, they spent a little more time on making sure it fit well (no money involved) and the last adjustment seems to be where they think it should work. Arms were in a good position, leg extension good.

They said if I start dealing with clipping in or getting a road bike I can deal with more involved fitting, especially since the road bike will involve a different position.

So far I'm good with it, I'll have to spend the money a little later since my 12-year old dog just had knee surgery today! She's doing well and will be much better when she recovers! :)

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Originally Posted by Catrin

The skills of a professional fitter really do matter. If I had the choice of going to a shop that had the most current fitting "system" but had a fitter with not so much experience or who doesn't know how to listen (and they are out there), or a shop that didn't have a fancy fitting system but had a skilled and talented fitter - I would take the latter every time.

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Quoting Catrin here as well!! I got a very basic fit at the shop that I bought the bike and I wasn't satisfied with it so a week ago I went to a very reputable LBS located in Central FL and got their basic fitting. No computers or fancy fitting system involved and the process was very dynamic. It took and hour and a half of getting in and out of the trainer, adjusting cleats, rearranging the seat post (which was too low and causing knee pain). He also studied my body position, they way that I pedaled, my arm position in the handlebar, got a shifting gears class :), measured inseam, legs and don't remember what else he measured :o amongst other things. It was pretty intensive but VERY good!! I definitively recommend it. At the end, he recommended me to change the stem which I'll do later. Here is around $80.00 for a basic fitting. Not bad.