My first pro bike fit

Today I went to Tad Hughes Custom Fit Studio http://www.tadhughescustom.com/index.html and had a very positive experience. Tad's "bedside" manner was exceptional and he gave me more information about my body and what he was doing than I ever wanted to know. In fact, I finally told him that I didn't need to know the hows or whys, just the result and what needed to be done :) But had I wanted to know I have no doubt he could have given me a whole lecture on how the mechanics of the body work.

He was slightly scary when he said to me, "I bet you sleep like this," and proceeded to pantomime exactly how I sleep.

He took a video of me, raised the seat, moved it back, adjusted the bars, put a shim in my shoe and oh, he had this thing that he puts over the saddle and it shows all the pressure points so he can adjust the saddle so you don't have pressure in the wrong spots, which I thought was really slick.

When we were done he told me that I would probably hate him for the first week and then life should be good. We'll see :) I will have to remember that the saddle is up so high now that the only way for me to touch the ground is to get off the saddle....better not forget or I'll be sorry!

Wishing you longer and more comfortable rides!

I've had a couple, rewarding fittings. I highly recommend them. I've never, however, heard of the saddle thing. I'm intrigued.

He told me the name of it and also said last year he could buy that or a new car and he chose that, but I can't remember the name of it.

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Originally Posted by thekarens

Today I went to Tad Hughes Custom Fit Studio http://www.tadhughescustom.com/index.html and had a very positive experience. Tad's "bedside" manner was exceptional and he gave me more information about my body and what he was doing than I ever wanted to know. In fact, I finally told him that I didn't need to know the hows or whys, just the result and what needed to be done :) But had I wanted to know I have no doubt he could have given me a whole lecture on how the mechanics of the body work.

He was slightly scary when he said to me, "I bet you sleep like this," and proceeded to pantomime exactly how I sleep.

He took a video of me, raised the seat, moved it back, adjusted the bars, put a shim in my shoe and oh, he had this thing that he puts over the saddle and it shows all the pressure points so he can adjust the saddle so you don't have pressure in the wrong spots, which I thought was really slick.

When we were done he told me that I would probably hate him for the first week and then life should be good. We'll see :) I will have to remember that the saddle is up so high now that the only way for me to touch the ground is to get off the saddle....better not forget or I'll be sorry!

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WOW that sounds great. Maybe sometime I am going to be in Houston I might schedule a fit with him since that sounds like what I have been looking for. I hope you get more comfortable and can ride longer distances.

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Originally Posted by lgibster

WOW that sounds great. Maybe sometime I am going to be in Houston I might schedule a fit with him since that sounds like what I have been looking for. I hope you get more comfortable and can ride longer distances.

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So far so good. If you're having problems I would definitely recommend him.

Hi Karen!
I'm in Houston!
I just started riding again after a long time off the bike. Just today, I was thinking about going to Tad to see about my fit. Does he do recreational riders? I had knee surgery and my leg lengths are off as a result. The guys at Bike Barn have messed with my saddle, pedals,etc but I am still having back pain and butt issues.
Do you think he can help me?

If you've got pain I would highly recommend him. He does all kinds of riders. I'm only a recreational rider myself. Be aware of sticker shock though. His fee is $250.

Where you having pain? So how did you feel on the Katy Flatland? Or, how do you feel today?! Did the adjustments make a difference?

Did you get shims or footbeds?

I personally didn't ride the KFC. I volunteered for it and worked as a corner monitor.

Before the fit I was having knee and shoulder pain. That's resolved. I'm now getting some pain between my shoulder blades, but I think that's a combination of being too tense/stiff and a weak core. I depend too much on my arms instead of using my core.

One last question...

so have you talked to him about the pain you have now? Does he allow any follow ups?

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Originally Posted by missfit

One last question...

so have you talked to him about the pain you have now? Does he allow any follow ups?

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I haven't yet. You have 4 weeks for a free follow up. I want to get as much riding in as possible before 4 weeks and then follow up.

Thank you! I appreciate the help. I'll let yo u know how I fare...

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Originally Posted by missfit

Thank you! I appreciate the help. I'll let yo u know how I fare...

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You're welcome. If you need anything or have any questions just let me know.

My appointment is today!!

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Originally Posted by missfit

My appointment is today!!

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Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

I had both my hybrid and road bikes fitted. I rode my hybrid for 9 miles last night and I'm a little sore all over. Is that normal?

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Originally Posted by missfit

I had both my hybrid and road bikes fitted. I rode my hybrid for 9 miles last night and I'm a little sore all over. Is that normal?

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My fitter told me I'd be sore for a couple weeks because my body was used to the old position.

Ok, thanks. Tad and I talked about all kinds of stuff for the 2 1/2 hours I was there but soreness after the fit never came up! ;)

Dh goes in on Friday - I'm hoping the soreness won't be as much of an issue because he hasn't been riding as long??

FWIW I was a little tender after the first couple of rides, but haven't had any problem since. And the fact that I haven't had the severe pains I was having made the other soreness worth it.

I rode a quick 12 miles on my newly fitted road bike today. i felt GOOD! Thinner saddle, longer stem, shims in shoes and a new overall configuration.
I may just end up being a Tad Hughes Fan girl!!

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Originally Posted by missfit

I rode a quick 12 miles on my newly fitted road bike today. i felt GOOD! Thinner saddle, longer stem, shims in shoes and a new overall configuration.
I may just end up being a Tad Hughes Fan girl!!

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Good to hear!