Bike Fit

[PAP103]

Hi All,

I have a question on bike fit. I'm looking for a new road bike. I went to my LBS and tried on a bunch of bikes for size but didn't test drive any (lack of time). I just went to another bike shop and test drove the Specialize Dolce and the Trek 1000WSd. I didn't like the Trek but I like the Dolce. The problem is that when I put my hands on the hoods to shift and brake, I get cramps in my thumbs. I also thought the bike was too small (its a 44)but the guy said its perfect just needs some adjustment. He's bringing in the next size up for me to try.

The other day I tried on a Trek Pilot 2.1 (size 47) and I thought it felt a bit too big. There was almost no room between me and the top tube. But that sales person said it was perfect. I like the feel of the Pilot and want to go back and test drive it.

Please give me some tips on what to look for in fit. I've been to 3 shops and have gotten 3 different opinions and am very confused.
Thanks,
Patty

[Eden]

It can be really tough if you don't know what fits you well -heck its tough even if you do know what fits you.
I've been looking to upgrade and I was trying out a bike the other day. I need a 44cm and I took one out for a test ride. I told the guy it felt good, but it seemed a little cramped and that I thought that the saddle needed to be raised. He argued with me had me try a 48 (too big!!) and proceeded to tell me that the saddle height was as far up as I would want it on the original 44 and that what I really needed was a bigger frame. Dude was not interested in listening to what I had to say at all -very frustrating. He asked me if I had my bike that I ride now fit - I had, dissed the shop that did the fit - told me that they regularly put people on bikes that are too small yadda yadda. Finally I said I would bring my current bike in for him to measure.
I brought the bike the next day and he took all of the measurements and said - we'll measure the frames and start from the one that is closest to your current setup. He took down the 44cm - did some measurements - raised the saddle about an inch (this is a lot in bike terms!) and never even looked at the bigger frame. Now if he had just listened to me in the first place........
Anyway - that really doesn't help you out, more blowing off a bit of steam than anything. But my point is, be careful and see if there is anyone in your area that can recommend a really good shop that will carefully fit you with a bike that you like and fits your body rather than trying to get you onto the closest thing that they have out on the floor. Don't let anyone talk you into something that does not feel right, just because they think they know better than you. A good shop may charge you for a comprehensive bike fit, but will often, if not usually discount the bike by the price of the fit if you buy from them.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Patty -
There definitely should be stand-over room on the bike - having little or no space between you and the bar doesn't sound like a good idea (as your instincts already told you!).

You're in the greater Boston area - I think it would be well worth a trip to one of the larger shops in the area. That should give you a reasonable selection of bikes in your size range. Have you tried Belmont Wheelworks? Just a warning though - this weekend will probably be a zoo there since it is Super Sale weekend. Of course that also means that there could be some good prices...

Keep us posted on your progress & on your new bike!

--- Denise

[PAP103]

I've been to Landry's in Danvers, CycleLoft and Seaside Cycles in Manchester. I'm going back up to CycleLoft tonight.

Who'd have thunk that buying a bike could be as difficult and humiliating as buy new jeans!

Thanks,
Patty

[DeniseGoldberg]

Who'd have thunk that buying a bike could be as difficult and humiliating as buy new jeans!

Thanks,
Patty

It shouldn't be. In fact, buying a bike should be fun.
If you are not being treated with respect - go to a different shop!

--- Denise

[Dianyla]

I'd be immediately suspicious of any salesperson who tells me that a bike is perfect for me. I'll be the judge of that, thankyouverymuch.

The two LBSs where I went bike shopping put me on about 12 bikes total between the two stores. Worked with a really good salesguy at each store, and with every bike he did a quick basic adjustment and would ask me how it felt, have me take a loop around the block, ask me again what I thought about it. Both guys just provided information, answered my questions about the different specs, and did really good questioning to get me to think about the bikes like "how would you compare bike A to bike B, and after trying C now how do you feel about A or B" to comparatively rate each bicycle. Neither guy ever tried to impose their impressions of anything on me. In the end, I feel like I got the best bike for me. The only person to tell me it was "perfect for me" was the professional bike fitter who adjusted my ergonomics after I already bought it.

When I started bike shopping I was really overwhelmed with all of the possible bikes, sizes, frame materials, prices, etc. What really worked was to just try a lot of bikes. After about 5 hours of test riding, I knew exactly which bike was perfect for me.

[PAP103]

First of all I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement! I went back to Cycle Loft last night and had a wonderful guy helping me. Even though it was busy, he spent lots of time explaining the different shapes of the frames and how the fit should be. I tried a bunch of bikes on the trainer (it was dark so no outside riding). I narrowed it down to 2 and he put each of them on the trainer again for me and adjusted the seat several times. It seems that the bike I thought was too big really isn't. When its off the trainer, I have about 2 inches of space between me and the bar!!!!

I put a deposit (refundable of course) on a Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD. I am going up tomorrow to take it out for a test drive. He wants to try some different handle bars to see if I can get a better, more comfortable fit. This young man is definately the kind of person that I want to show me bikes! (For anyone in the Boston area - his name is Mike)

So wish me luck tomorrow when I go out for a real test ride!

Thanks,
Patty

[CycleChic06]

Wow Patty,
I think I had such a similar experience to you. I was at the Cycle Loft in Burlington last night and ended up with a different bike. I just got a Specialized Dolce Elite. This is my first road bike and after a lot of considerations, and several hours of getting fit on a few bikes, this one felt the most comfortable. It was between that one and a LeMond, the bike name I can't remember, but the LeMond would have had to be altered and still might have been a bit too big. The Specialized just felt right.

For anyone in the Boston area, they Cycle Loft in Burlington is great and Anthony was extremely helpful and patient!

Emily

[PAP103]

Wow, Emily we were probably there at the same time! I'm very happy with the service I got last night and can't wait to test drive some bikes!

Congratulations and good luck with your new bike. Maybe I'll see you on the road sometime!
Patty