Bike fit and performance

[Kerikay]

I am scheduled to have a pro bike fit on February 11th with Michael Sylvester in Portland, OR. I would like to know anyone's experiences with their performance after a pro bike fit. Were you faster, able to ride longer just better overall?

[Biciclista]

I don't think i was faster, but i was definitely in less pain! (But i'm not a racer)

[Owlie]

I'll preface this by saying I need a bike fitting. I'm still saving for that.

It depends. If you're doing it to get some biomechanical issues taken care of, or because you need to adjust the reach on your bike (for example), then you will certainly be more comfortable and able to ride longer, overall fitness allowing. Faster...I don't know. See avatar.

Others will chime in with their experiences, I'm sure.

[indysteel]

I think it depends in large part on how far off you currently are from your optimal fit. If the fitter just tweaks the current set up of your bike, you might see very slight improvements in terms of speed, comfort or endurance. If, however, the fitter makes more significant changes, then you could possibly see more signficant increases in speed and/or performance. It's also a function of what issues you need to address with a fitting. A fit that optimizes power, for instance, my not be the best fit for you in other respects, e.g., if you have a chronic injury or the like. A good fitter will take all that into account.

[KnottedYet]

I am scheduled to have a pro bike fit on February 11th with Michael Sylvester in Portland, OR. I would like to know anyone's experiences with their performance after a pro bike fit. Were you faster, able to ride longer just better overall?

I was trained by Michael Sylvester.

I pretty much worship the ground he walks on...

(Should clarify: he did not do a fit on my bike, he taught me how to fit others to their bikes)

[GLC1968]

If your goal is to be faster, you will be faster. If your goal is more comfort, he will get you more comfortable. He knows his stuff!!

I had my road bike fit when I lived in North Carolina by a woman whom Michael worked with at Serotta years back. She did make me faster because some of the tweaks she did not only got me more comfort, but more power. After my fit, I was able to keep up on the flats where as before, I always got dropped. It was amazing, actually. It did take a little getting used to (the new position) but once I did, I was absolutely faster. That was ~5 years ago now!

Michael did my fit on my tri bike a few months back before I bought it. From that fit, I had criteria with which to buy the right sized bike with confidence. After I got it, he adjusted it to the specs we found originally and I can say with all confidence, he did a bang up job. I've only ridden it on the road twice since getting it but I was amazed at how comfortable this very, very odd position was for me. It took some getting used to, but even though I was tired when I was done with the ride, I wasn't achey or sore or anything...and that was my very first time on aerobars EVER. He seriously dialed it in perfectly.

I'm a big fan of his and I'd bet dollars to donuts, you will be too after your fitting.

[Pedal Wench]

I was trained by Michael Sylvester.

I pretty much worship the ground he walks on...

(Should clarify: he did not do a fit on my bike, he taught me how to fit others to their bikes)

And now, I pretty much worship the ground YOU walk on! I really need to schedule a TE trip west...

[Kerikay]

Thank ladies i'm super excited...i've read and heard great things about him. It's set for February 11th so I'll let ya know how it goes in a few weeks.

[KnottedYet]

And now, I pretty much worship the ground YOU walk on! I really need to schedule a TE trip west...

I dunno doodley-squiddle. I just wave my hands in the air, mumble some mumbo-jumbo, charge folks a couple hundred bucks, and kick 'em out the door.

Seriously, though, if you ever get the chance to be fit by Michael Sylvester, TAKE IT!!! He is amazing! He has a gut instinct for how the body works, and how to make the bike work with the body. I've seen him take folks with some pretty interesting physical limitations and make their bikes fit perfectly.

And he's not afraid to tell you that your bike is the wrong size, and there is nothing you can do, don't waste your money or your time... go buy another and come back.

He is one of the most deeply honest people I've ever met.

(I'm not kidding, I worship the ground he walks on. Watching him work is like watching poetry. It's art, it's music, it's love of bike and person.)

[TxDoc]

(I'm not kidding, I worship the ground he walks on. Watching him work is like watching poetry. It's art, it's music, it's love of bike and person.)

Ah, that sounds so awesome... Work is super-busy and I had to defer my trip up North to learn bike fitting - but will find a way to go sometime soon.
Soon, soon, soon...