Is bike retro-fitting worth it?

[Miranda]

I have read on this forum before that it's almost like a pointless cause to try and retro-fit a bike frame you have later learned is the WRONG size for you.

Any experiences either way, please share.

My dilemma...
In casually looking at carbon frames I had planned to upgrade to eventually anyway, I think I have figured out a source of my current bike issues. My frame is too big. (btw, I think it might even be *2* sizes too big)

I was planning on getting a professional fit to see what things could be improved with my current bike anyway. But now I'm thinking about trashing the the bandaid process and just starting over.

TYIA

[smurfalicious]

I was planning on getting a professional fit to see what things could be improved with my current bike anyway. But now I'm thinking about trashing the the bandaid process and just starting over.

TYIA

My Candy girl is a little too big for me. I went with short stem, a 60 with no rise. It sucked at first, it was twitchy, for sure. Now I'm used to it so it doesn't bother me. You can also get away with a fair bit of moving your saddle around. Knee over spindle isn't the end of the world. Also consider a seat post with zero setback.

I get crap about my bike but ya know, it's what I can afford right now so I make do.

[DirtDiva]

It's a matter of what you can put up with and what you can afford, really. If your current bike is generally hideously uncomfortable and you have the spending money then of course you may as well look into the new bike. (Don't forget to get the shop to fit you properly at the time, of course!) Yet if you don't have that much cash to spare and the bike is causing more specific issues (e.g. pain in left knee but not right knee), then the fitting might be the more appropriate option. And if you fall somewhere in the middle of all that, well, I guess you have to weigh up the pros and cons and see where you end up.

[michelem]

My personal experience was that even with a professional bike fitting and adjustments and swaps, etc. I continued to have neck/nerve problems needing physical therapy treatment. I finally bit the bullet and spent the money on a new correctly-sized bike and wah-lah -- pain went away. I still had to do some swaps (handlbars and stem), but, what a difference the right size frame made!

I'd suggest starting with a professional bike fitting and going from there. Good luck to you!

[DirtDiva]

And if you do have the fitting, you will have a whole lot of info that will help you in the purchase of a new bike, whether you get one now or later.

[Miranda]

My Candy girl is a little too big for me. I went with short stem, a 60 with no rise. It sucked at first, it was twitchy, for sure. Now I'm used to it so it doesn't bother me. You can also get away with a fair bit of moving your saddle around. Knee over spindle isn't the end of the world. Also consider a seat post with zero setback.

I get crap about my bike but ya know, it's what I can afford right now so I make do.

Thx for chiming in. I know what you mean about the $. This was not exactly the time I had planned. It usually takes me a while to think about anything. So I was in the carbon bike research stage. Not, buy now. But, I just look at my bike and go "ick". Not, "yea! let's go for a ride". It's kinda killed my will to ride. I highlighted the twitchy part because that was really insightful info. I was wondering how the shorter stem would ride. That's a good comment for me to make to the fitter.

[Miranda]

It's a matter of what you can put up with and what you can afford, really. If your current bike is generally hideously uncomfortable and you have the spending money then of course you may as well look into the new bike. (Don't forget to get the shop to fit you properly at the time, of course!) Yet if you don't have that much cash to spare and the bike is causing more specific issues (e.g. pain in left knee but not right knee), then the fitting might be the more appropriate option. And if you fall somewhere in the middle of all that, well, I guess you have to weigh up the pros and cons and see where you end up.

And if you do have the fitting, you will have a whole lot of info that will help you in the purchase of a new bike, whether you get one now or later.

Yes... that's an excellent point. Regardless of what I do, or do not do, I'll have the info for proper fit. The lbs that was place of purchase was done after they had their money from the sale.

[Miranda]

My personal experience was that even with a professional bike fitting and adjustments and swaps, etc. I continued to have neck/nerve problems needing physical therapy treatment. I finally bit the bullet and spent the money on a new correctly-sized bike and wah-lah -- pain went away. I still had to do some swaps (handlbars and stem), but, what a difference the right size frame made!

I'd suggest starting with a professional bike fitting and going from there. Good luck to you!

Glad your pain went away. I feel like I spend more time fiddling with bike issues, than riding. It's fine for someone that fits it. I would get something from selling. I'll have to add up how much cost is involved with switching things out etc. Versus that money going towards something else. Sure the fitter will add it up. My, the things we learn along the way *sigh*.

[Miranda]

Today I stopped in the lbs that has a recommeded good fitter. After chatting a bit, I went ahead and scheduled a fit. Going next week, and we'll just take it from there.

[uforgot]

Be sure and let us know how it goes. I've been considering a retro fit too.

[Wahine]

Sorry, I might be repeating things here but I haven't had time to read all the responses. A retro fit is worth it. It will maximize your comfort on your current bike but the other important thing is that the fitter will be able to give you very good feedback about what you should be looking for in your next bike when you can get another. So be sure to ask about ideal top tube length/reach for you so you have that information to help you shop in the future.