What to Expect from a Professional Fitting

[wavedancer]

I just had a basic fitting today to tweak some comfort issues on my bike. The fitter was John Allis, a former Olympian and current coach for the Harvard cycling team. There were no computers or special body measurements involved. He watched me spin on the bike for a bit, asked what comfort issues I was having, measured my seat height and dropped it a bit. Measured my knee-to-pedal relationship and brought the seat forward a bit. My major issues were neck and shoulder discomfort and numbness in my thumb and first two fingers on longer rides. He said that counter-intuitively I probably needed to be more stretched out on the bike. I told him I felt like I wanted to be a bit more upright on the hoods, and by lengthening the stem we were able to get me in a more stretched out position and raise the handlebars about 1.5cm. I did a one-hour Spinervals session on the trainer tonight and it felt pretty good. Time will tell if the comfort issues improve, and I probably won't really know until I can get back on the road for some longer rides. (I'm waiting for 40-degree+ days!)

[mlove]

I just got fitted for my bike last week. Lots of measurements and then several options for how I want to be on the bike--in my case more upright, I think. Scott knows me and knows what I want to do with my riding so that wasn't an issue in my case. But I think he would have asked otherwise. We looked at comfort and comfort plus positions and the main difference was in the stem. We decided to go with comfort plus and the option of switching the stem if I want a less upright position. All the other measurements were the same with either of those two options. But there were 5 or 6 possibilities, depending on the type of rider you are.

I'm in my fifties and am always concerned with back issues. And I don't plan to race so comfort plus is probably the best choice for me. But when the bike comes in, we can check to make sure it fits right.

[Kathi]

Serotta fitter's have a prototype bike called a sizecycle. After they determine your measurements they set up the sizecycle to let you feel how different the changes are that you need.

I had my Aegis refitted by a Serotta fitter because I was having shoulder pain. It turned out that my handlebars were 4cm to low. To make changes it required a new fork. I wasn't convinced that 4 cm would make much of a difference until I felt it on the size cycle. I then took the bike to the shop that does my mechanical work. They ordered the fork for me and installed it.

When I ordered my custom Serotta the setup of my old bike was used as a starting point. The sizecycle was hooked up to a computer and I pedaled for approx. 1/2 hr before the fitter looked at anything. Then he made some minor adjustments. I was injured so my leg strength wasn't very good so I never asked what results the computer showed.

Be sure you know what it is about your bikes that feel good and what it is you don't like, what kind of riding you do etc. Be honest when they interview you. My orginal Serotta fitter checked my flexiblity. Also, if you need a new stem, etc. and the shop installs it you will pay for parts and labor.

After the fitting, have the shop give you a sheet with your measurements. That way, if anything gets moved, saddle, etc. you can have it set back where it belongs.

Here's a picture of me on my custom Serotta. I love the fit of this bike!