Stem and Hoods questions

[indysteel]

Thanks for all the info. The only reason I messed with my fore/aft position is because that's what the LBS told me to do since he didn't know how to fix my complaint about reach without getting me a new stem (an idea which he wasn't all that enthusiastic about...in fact he seemed rather irked that I went in there several times with the same complaint). I was just experimenting when I was moving my seat up and back. Just getting a feel for it. I marked where my seat had been before I started messing around so I'd know where to put it back...did the same thing with the seat post so I'll always know where I need it to be. Like I said earlier, I'm obsessive about my knee so my thought in this whole fit process is to make sure my knees are okay and then kind of make the rest of the bike "fit" that...does that make sense? Or is that the wrong attitude? Of course I don't wanna hurt my back or shoulders and honestly nothing hurts (except my wrists in certain positions), it's just that I don't feel comfortable. I don't have the vocab to explain it better than that. But I do appreciate all your help.
Gray

Well, I'm irked that your shop was irked. Ordering a different length stem is hardly an unusual step to take to tweak bike fit and it's a pretty easy swap to make. Suggesting that you change your fore/aft position instead, when they know you have knee issues, is just all kinds of wrong. I have to wonder whether you're going to get the assistance you need from that shop.

At this stage, given your various issues, I think you'd be well advised to find a good fitter in your area. As a starting place to finding one, check out the websites for the bike shops in your area. I'd be willing to bet that at least one of them either employs a fitter or can refer you to one if they carry any custom bike brands, e.g., Serotta, Moots, Independent Fabrication.

Here's one that I found just doing a brief search: http://www.trizilla.com/triathlon/pc/services.asp

[GraysonKelly]

Well, I'm irked that your shop was irked. Ordering a different length stem is hardly an unusual step to take to tweak bike fit and it's a pretty easy swap to make. Suggesting that you change your fore/aft position instead, when they know you have knee issues, is just all kinds of wrong. I have to wonder whether you're going to get the assistance you need from that shop.

At this stage, given your various issues, I think you'd be well advised to find a good fitter in your area. As a starting place to finding one, check out the websites for the bike shops in your area. I'd be willing to bet that at least one of them either employs a fitter or can refer you to one if they carry any custom bike brands, e.g., Serotta, Moots, Independent Fabrication.

Here's one that I found just doing a brief search: http://www.trizilla.com/triathlon/pc/services.asp

Thank you! The guys are nice enough and I get free tune ups and stuff since I bought the bike from them. But they aren't all that willing to really help me get the bike comfortable. Anyway, I did find a shop that has a guy who does bike fits. But since it's winter he isn't in with any kind of regularity. I called yesterday and they are leaving a message for him to call me back. If he doesn't call in a week or so then I'll try again. Thanks so much.
Gray

[tulip]

Thank you! The guys are nice enough and I get free tune ups and stuff since I bought the bike from them. But they aren't all that willing to really help me get the bike comfortable. Anyway, I did find a shop that has a guy who does bike fits. But since it's winter he isn't in with any kind of regularity. I called yesterday and they are leaving a message for him to call me back. If he doesn't call in a week or so then I'll try again. Thanks so much.
Gray

Free tuneups for the first year or so is pretty standard practice, so it's not really an extra--they don't deserve extra credit for it. They should work with you for a proper fit, if for no other reason that you would be more likely to buy your next, and presumably upgrade, bike from them. I've had shops blow me off and I took my checkbook elsewhere. I know there are folks on TE from Pittsburgh, so maybe you can take a trip up there sometime (when it's warmer!)

I do agree that getting a proper fit should be your next step. Once you know what needs to be changed you can do what needs to be done and not have to futz around with this and that.