How did you find (or are still searching for) "the one [bicycle]"?

[Triskeliongirl]

I finally found 'the one' my cervelo RS. My journey has been a long one. For me, it was a combination of finding a bike with the optimum geometry for me, and then a knowledgable person to tweak my fit.

1. The fist bike I bought that I was 'fitted' to by a Fit Kit was 2001 19" terry classic that I bought in a good bike shop. I loved this bike, and found that as I adjusted to riding more aerodynamically, my body could stretch out more and first I got a longer stem, followed by switching out the flat bars for drop bars.

2. This bike was destroyed in a crash, and my son found me another bike on ebay, advertised as a 2001 19" terry classic, but was actually a 17.5" (error in C-C vs C-T measurement). It turns out these frames have a very similar geometry (even TT length) so all I had to do is raise the bars and saddle by 1.5" to replicate my fit. Life was good. But, as I improved the bike felt heavy to me, and I wanted a bike that would travel, so I go a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro.

3. The Pocket Rocket Pro was made from the measurements of my terry so fit the same. But then I had issues with a 3 cm LLD from my accident. It finally took going to a specialist who very precisely fitted my cockpit, i.e. built me a custom crank, and optimized my cleat position, saddle height, and for-aft position, but he left reach 'up to me.'

4. My PPR was stolen, so it was starting over. I thought it was time for a light racy machine, so I test road a Trek Madonne at my LBS. Felt awful. Couldn't get fit on anything. Turned out I have really long femurs, and couldn't get enough set back since most frames in my size have steep seat tube angles. So, I made a survey of every bike I had that worked, and noticed they had a 73 degree STA. So, I did a search, and the only bike I found with a 73 degree STA at the time was the 17.5" terry titanium isis. Even though I knew the 19" was a better fit, it had a 74 degree STA, so I went with the 17.5". I rode and loved this bike for years, but then got an opportunity to purchase a 2008 48 cm carbon cervelo RS on closeout pricing. The problem with my 17.5" terry isis is the fit was a compromise, the 19" fit me better in all ways except that damn STA. I was already on the edge at 73 and couldn't tolerate 74, so while the 17.5" had the right STA, it was a little small in all other ways. I only realized this after riding the 48cm cervelo RS.

5. From looking at the geometry charts, I knew the Cervelo would be perfect. It had the 73 degree STA I needed, the tall head tube I needed, all the stuff I knew I needed but never found before in a stock bike. I test rode her and it was a dream, at that point I knew she was 'the one'. The design w 650 c wheels handles better and fits better than my 17.5" terry w 700/24 wheels (and didn't have TCO, something important to me but I know not to everyone). But more importantly, my fitter also found me a super laid back seatpost I didn't know existed so I could optimize my setback. Then he showed me a bar w both a short reach and a short drop, so I could ride in the drops comfortably at last. He actually brought my reach in a tad, which made all the diff in being able to use all my hand positions (I had been optimized to ride my hoods but was too stretched out to ride my drops). He also talked to me about how to position my body on the bike (shorter reach but then bending my arms a bit more on my hoods), subtle things but they really optimized my position. I never felt more powerful on a bike before.

So, what I learned in all this is you need the right bike, but the right people to really optimize your fit. Its also not clear I was flexible enough to have been fitted to this bike when I started out, it really has been a journey of body and bike. Before buying the cervelo, I had in the back of my mind that my next bike would be a custom, but I was scared, what if I spent all that money and didn't like it. I also wasn't ready to spend the $ on a custom (putting 2 kids through college) but then the cervelo closeout became available. Its also got full Dura-ace 10, which is also way nicer than my Ultegra 9. I also never realized how big a diff. the cervelo carbon and terry titanium isis would have in terms of weight, stiffness, etc. I am suddenly a much stronger ride. I always thought once you got into a certain weight range we were talking about seconds on the hour but my time speed instantly went up by at least 10%. But its not just weight, its also my position is more powerful on the new bike. I also think you get a better fit on a new bike purchase than a retrofit. The shop that sold me my terry did a poor job in fitting it to me by comparison, so fitters vary widely in their expertise.

Note, I am not dissing the terry titanium Isis. I know Catherine loves hers and I think hers is sized and fit better than mine was. I still love mine though, she is now my trusty commuter (I know gals, a titanium beater, sounds like overkill but at least the titanium stands up to the weather better than anything!).

Sorry, if this is way more info. than you ever wanted!

[Miranda]

Hi Ana... Well, I can't type a post that I'm with those that have found "the one", but like you I am looking. I think I'm a step ahead though. I recently went for a professional bike fit.

My current bike fit I knew was not so great. Last season I had a fit appointment with this shop to see about improving my current bike. Some things happened, and I had to cancel. In the meantime, I researched and figured out quite a bit on my own that my bike frame was more than likely too big for me.

I had pretty much concluded that I would end up starting over versus attempting to retro-fit. I talked to the fitter, and the fit to help determine sizing was less $ than the full blown ride in the trainer fit. I took my current bike anyway and the fitter measured it as well.You might call around to some different shops and ask about their fit process.

How I finally decided to go where I did recently was on the recommedation of some riders from the gym. They are people who I have a lot of respect for as experienced cyclist. If you don't have any close friends to ask like that, maybe you could call an independent bicycle club (meaning not associated with one particular shop that has group rides). A non-biased club might be able to tell you whose good in your area. It would be a starting point.

Like you, I don't feel that I 100% really know what I want to do the "go custom" route. The fitter said my body doesn't have anything glaring that says that's the only option for me. I do have some things I know I don't like. With that, and hopefully with the fitter's skill, I'm leaning towards getting a stock frame.

The test riding is a real problem if need a non-average size, IME. So far I have called some lbs in larger cities that are hours away driving and they have straight up told me they do not standardly stock that size. My plan B is to half wing it. I'm going to try and find what I'm looking for in the closest next bigger size I can ride. If I like some things about it, but know the fit feels weird... I know it should feel better fitted properly in my size. That's half crap shoot, but the best I have come up with so far.

[Ana]

Sorry, if this is way more info. than you ever wanted!

No, that's exactly what I was looking for!