Bike Fitting for $150? Is that right??

[stpbound]

Hi everyone,

After getting fabulous feedback on my last thread, I've decided to look into getting a road bike and will be going to an LBS (Gregg's in Seattle) soon. I looked on their website and a basic bike fitting is $150. I was shocked!

Is this what a bike fit goes for? What the heck do they do for $150??

thanks!
stpbound

[mimitabby]

That is kind of high, but at Sammamish bike i think i paid 100 or 150 but you can keep coming back until it WORKS for you. (i went back twice)

[velogirl]

I charge $150 for a bike fit. My typical fit takes two hours. I also guarantee my fit, which means if a client isn't happy, I will see them again at no charge (as long as they haven't changed anything wrt their fit). In six years, I've only seen three clients more than once.

All coaches/fitters/bike shops are different in their fees. Some charge by the hour. Most don't guarantee their fit. Some charge additional for cleat positioning. Fees tend to be lower at bike shops than with coaches/fitters. And fees tend to be lower in smaller cities than in large cities like SF or Seatle. I personally think you get what you pay for. If you pay $75, you're likely to get less attention (and less expertise) than if you spend $150.

Regardless of where you go for fit, find out the fitter's experience and credentials. How many fits do they do a week? Do they fit a lot of women? Where did they learn their trade? Do they have any certifications?

Word of mouth can be a valuable tool. If someone is happy with their fit, find out where they got it.

I encourage you to think of fit as an investment in your riding career.

[velogirl]

Here's a bit about what I do in a fit. Again, everyone is different in their approach, but you asked what they heck a fitter does for $150 so here's my answer.

First, I take an extensive set of measurements of your bike in it's current set-up. This is our baseline.

Then, I set your bike up on the CompuTrainer. This is a trainer that interfaces with my PC.

Then, I take a look at your feet, shoes, and cleat positioning. I also check your flexibility and measure your shoulders.

Then, I have you ride for about 15 minutes. During that time, I give feedback on what I see (including suggestions for how to improve your technique). I also observe the computrainer output. I use a rolling hills type course with my clients, so I can observe the way they use their muscles in a variety of terrain (uphill, downhill, flats). I analyze your overall efficiency and your power output. I analyze the balance between left and right leg. And I analyze how you recruit and utilize the various muscles within your pedal stroke. And I give you feedback about this.

Then, I take a set of measurements of you on the bike.

I may make changes to your fit immediately (saddle height, saddle fore/aft, bar angle, stem, shim levers). Or I may suggest changes you can make later (bar width, stem length and angle).

I also have a saddle demo program through Specialized, so if you're not happy with your saddle, I can measure you and set you up with the saddle that best meets your needs based on body type and riding style.

And we talk a lot. I interview you about your riding history, health history, injuries (past and present), surgeries, work environment, riding goals, etc. All of this information helps me understand how to best meet your needs.

I finish up by taking a second set of measurements of your bike (reflecting any changes we made). You go home with the measurements along with a list of specific recommendations for component changes and technique drills to improve your riding.

[MINIskirt]

My LBS gives you a basic fit with bike purchase, but they charge $150 for a full fit. They also let you keep coming back at no charge until it's right.

[makbike]

I too paid $150 for my fitting back in December. I do believe they are now charging $165.