Bike fitting

[Ruby Rider 2]

I was told the specialized fitting would cost $100. Do you know what's covered and how that might differ from the $50 one? Not sure what I should be asking for.

Didn't buy the bike there but bought the shoes and other stuff.
thanks
RR

[Miranda]

My first bike that was fit to me about like yours was "oh, looky honey, you can clear the top tube standing... 'it fits' ...". Grrrr, I'm stopping from writing my book report how things went from there. Guess the good was on how I found this forum (help, I have things bleeding on my body). Always a silver lining, right?

When I sought after my two frames sizes smaller fits like a tee bike I have now.... I first paid $60-ish in Mayberry prices for the best / only fitter locally highly recommended by every cyclists I respected from the gym. This was for the body measurements thing only... and an ideal geometry / calculations of what would work best with me.

The shop where I bought my roadie girl at does the fitting very nicely for free... measurements, pc print out, switching out stems on trainer, watch yourself ride in mirrored room, spin the lot, switch things up, repeat--whatever. If you want this new video taping thing, it was $100something plus. Mayberry cost of living. Biggie city within road trip distance... same thing $300ish at a different shop.

"Nice people" were also a different shop I went to for help locally (besides the selling shop who scr*wed me) said my bike "uumm, fit.... could switch parts etc.". OK, it was TWO frames sizes too big. Did I cover that--ahh, yea. So, 'nice' does not always= knowledge.

Are there any other cyclists you know to ask? Or contact the president of a local bike club (NOT associated with a lbs). Or call around shops... even if it's a bit a travel. My roadie girl now was a 5 hour round trip drive. Worth every single mile and penny!

Good Luck! AND welcome home back to the saddle.

[firenze11]

Thanks for all the info. I picked my bike up and asked them to describe their fittings. The wrench told me that it would take around 15-20 min and he'd just watch me on the trainer and change things in and out "as needed." Sigh. I'll be looking elsewhere. I really think I need something a bit more in-depth than 20 min by eye.

Miranda: I can't believe your bike was 2 sizes too big! I really identify with the "oh, looky honey, you can clear the top tube standing. . .'it fits'. . ." That sounds identical to what happened to me, even though all the bike shops I've been to have been very nice (but sometimes in a pat me on the head kind of way). When I got the bike back, threw it on the trainer, and hop on, I just don't feel right. I don't know if it's because the bike is too big, because I've been gone for a year and only rode on spin bikes so I need to get used to it, or just because I'm still really new. It's frustrating because I really like riding but I'm never fully comfortable.

[spindizzy]

Firenze:

Congratulations on finishing grad school.

A bike fitter I would recommend is JP Tesolin at Via Ciclante in Streetsville ( West Mississauga). He (even according to my coach) is one of the best bike fitters around. He is meticulous and wants to make you one with your bike. I imagine it is around $150-200 but I got mine with my bike purchase. I've met people there from all over Ontario. He uses lasers and levels and goniometers....and way longer than 20 minutes....

http://www.viaciclante.com/

[zia]

Thanks for posting this question. I am feeling a little disenchanted with my $50/30 minute fitting, but am not sure what spending more gets you... and am reluctant to pay for a second fitting. Lots to think about. Especially since every one of the LBSs here has a completely different offering. Lasers, video-taping, what-have-you...

[Maxxxie]

I got a bike fitting done by a physiotherapist who does bike fittings for a living. He operates from a specialist sports medicine clinic, so has no vested interest in selling floorstock (have you ever noticed how marked-down floor stock bikes are always magically the right size, according to the salespeople?).

I paid around $200 for it, and it was worth every cent. He told me the bike I was on was too big for me, adjusted it as best he could, then gave me recommended measurements for a new bike. I took those measurements to my bike store, told them I wanted a new road bike, and they were able to recommend a bike based on those measurements. When the time came to pick up The Beast, they plonked it on the trainer, dialled the measurements in according to the physio's recommendations, and had me ride for a bit. In the end, they ended up tweaking it by tilting the bars up a tad (one or two mm). That was the only variation from the physio's recommendation. And the bike fits perfectly.

A bike fit is definitely worth the money spent. The only recommendation I can add to the excellent ones already in this thread, is that you consider getting a fitting from someone impartial.


Max

[zia]

Max, that's a useful perspective. But where do you find such a person? I've asked around, but everyone goes through their bike shop.

I'm looking at a basic, bike shop, $150 "performance fitting," which is 1.5 hours long. Or, for $300, and another hour, there's the "SpinScan Pedal Stroke Analyzer Software," range of motion assessment, and "Specialized's Body Geometry Dual Angle Technical Assessment."

That's a lot of words. I'm not sure if it's worth the extra money. All I want is for my shoulders not to burn. But if I'm tweaking that, why not go all out?

Or, there's another guy who claims to be independent but works in a bike shop who seems to offer the same thing at the same price.

Around and around I go. But these anecdotes are very helpful.