Bike fitter education?

[Wasp]

Before I fork over $300 or more on a bike fit, I started wondering what types of education the bike fitters have. Anyone on TE know what is involved education wise to be a "bike fitter?". How long are the course/courses?, are some courses/programs a lot better than others?. What questions do I need to be asking, Prior to plunking the cash down?.

[Kathi]

2 sources:

http://masterbikefitters.com/mbfa-un...aler-standards

http://www.serottacyclinginstitute.com/Classes/

There are many others, I'm familiar with SICI (Serotta) as my fitter has the training. Many fitters have training with several fit schools.

[velo]

Just chiming in to say that at one of my Bike shops they carry Specialized and their fitter went to a school specific to that brand for certification. The guy doing my fitting now on my Wilier was trained by a guy who had been doing fittings for like 20 years. He has been doing fittings for a long time himself, but I'm not sure he has had formal training at a school. By far, he is a better fitter than the one trained at Specialized - at least that was my perception having used them both. I think some things about fitting can't be taught, but comes with experience, so IMO, that would be an important factor for me and I would definitely ask about that. Don't forget to get a copy of measurements and changes made.

[Catrin]

Recommendations are also very important - what experience have others had with that fitter? Fitting is indeed an art, and all of it cannot come out of a course or book. It takes time and experience - along with being willing to LISTEN that separates a good/great fitter. One can have all the training there is but if they can't think outside of the box when the client might have special fitting/physical issues than that training doesn't mean much.

[indysteel]

Recommendations are also very important - what experience have others had with that fitter? Fitting is indeed an art, and all of it cannot come out of a course or book. It takes time and experience - along with being willing to LISTEN that separates a good/great fitter. One can have all the training there is but if they can't think outside of the box when the client might have special fitting/physical issues than that training doesn't mean much.

Amen to what Catrin and Velo said.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Just to confirm about Specialized, the fitters are sent on a one week training course on Specialized's fit system and have refresher courses every year or so after that. They also have to sit a test to gain certification. It's the same for Shimano certification (for workshop repairs) and no, not everyone passes.

But also ask for reccommendations as well in your local area. I also like "independent" fitters who don't work for a bike store (or work independently for the store) as they would be less likely to be "pushing" their brand of bikes.