Bike Fit

[jeannierides]

Hey everybody! In my pursuit of a new bike (which will take months probably because of my indecision) I am wondering about being professionally fitted. I am leaning toward a custom bike - Independand Fabrication, Luna or Gunnar maybe - but there's also a great new Giant coming out the first of the year. Anyway. I've been considering getting a professional fit due in part to some of the aggravating issues I've had with my current bike. There's a great company in N.C. called Cycling Specifics that I'm considering (my lbs just doesn't have the expertise). These gals (it's run by women!) are very impressive with their fitting and their overall analysis of your current bike (might not want to buy a new one if they can fit my Colnago better). The cost is about $250 and they spent about 3 1/2 hrs with you. I'd have to drive down to N.C., which isn't a terrible thing - would be a nice road trip...they will even give my que sheets to ride around the area if I (and I would) stay overnight.

http://www.cyclingspecifics.com/index.html

Ok. I've said all of that to ask this. How many of you have gone through that extensive of a fit analysis? What are your thoughts on the whole process?

I know I can count on the wisdom of all you! Thanks so much!

[DeniseGoldberg]

I guess I was extremely lucky when I bought my first custom bike. I bought it from an individual framebuilder who is also one of the co-owners of my LBS. I can't remember how long the fit sessions were, but they were included in the cost of the bike. We started with a fit session that was probably an hour to an hour and a half long - and that was to get the information Peter needed to build the frame. Then after the bike was assembled there was another fit session on my new bike before I took it home. It's wonderful to ride a bike that fits!

The Cycling Specifics fit program looks interesting. And as expected on a public site, the testimonials look good too...

--- Denise

[SandyLS]

My professional fit was also included in the price of the bike when I bought my new Bianchi this spring. After my correct frame size was determined and the new bike arrived the fitting took about an hour and a half. I guess the guy must have known what he was doing because other than switching out the stock saddle for a woman's specific cut out model I have had nothing but joy riding this bike no aches and pains at all.

[Aint Doody]

I, too, had my Trek Pilot 5.0 professionally fitted. My lbs wasn't able to do a professional fit, so I had to go to Portland, OR. The young woman who fitted me did an excellent job. I'd already ridden it a few times before having this done, and couldn't believe the improvement. She gave me a longer head tube (that suddenly doesn't sound like the right name for that part.) and she put on more narrow handlebars--even tho my bike was a WSD. It was well worth the money--but I paid $100 (not including the parts)-not $250. She spent about 1 3/4 hrs with me I believe. I would think that doing that in the "off" season might be less $$$$

[jeannierides]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. My SO and I pretty much decided the folks in NC, as great as they seem, are not for me right now. My focus isn't on some of the things they work on...I just want to be comfortable on my bike. Period.

The bike decision was made really quickly after all...an opportunity arose to purchase a 52cm wineberry Gunnar Roadie frame from Ebay. We will use some of the components I now have on my Colnago, since they are high end, and build it up. The price was right. I can have this one fitted, and depending on how much I love it - my next one can be custom all the way!

I have a picture of the frame, but I can't figure out how to post it, so if any of you have any suggestions...