Bike fitting

[raf_gti]

Seriously considering going for a bike fit but I'm not sure it will be worth the £100+ plus the potential of having to buy new components to meet the recommendation?

Any experience of them?

[CVP]

Had one done when I bought my road bike. Compared to my previous position I felt a bit more stretched out on the new machine. Took a little gettign used to but eventually is much more comfortable and have no neck or wrist stiffness at the end of a ride now.

The key thing I did get help with was setting up my cleats correctly, which is much easier with two people.

Chris

[raf_gti]

How did you find your bike beforehand?

I've had mine for 8 years and my position has pretty much staid the same, I get the odd twinge but put that down to being older and creakier than I once was!

I don't really want to spend a lot of money to find I've found my own optimal position

[Abe Froman]

If you are serious about your cycling then this is a must. I use A W Cycles in Caversham. Only the full cleat analysis, etc is over £100. I paid around £50 which got me the dimensions and crank length, handlebar widths and set up.

Trouble is I went in to buy my dream De Rosa Idol, only to find post bike fit that it's possibly the worst geo bike there is for me Gutted.

But the few simple tweaks made to my existing bikes have made the world of difference.

Well worth it.

Edited by Abe Froman on Friday 31st July 11:49

[Rolls]

Excuse my ignorance, but how exactly does this work / what do they do etc?

[raf_gti]

Abe Froman said:

If you are serious about your cycling then this is a must. I use A W Cycles in Caversham. Only the full cleat analysis, etc is over £100. I paid around £50 which got me the dimensions and crank length, handlebar widths and set up.

Trouble is I went in to buy my dream De Rosa Idol, only to find post bike fit that it's possibly the worst geo bike there is for me Gutted.

But the few simple tweaks made to my existing bikes have made the world of difference.

Well worth it.

Edited by Abe Froman on Friday 31st July 11:49

My only concern is at the moment I am looking to buy a very well specced Planet X machine with Ultegra build for £1450, if I go into the shop and go buy the bikefit recommendation I doubt I would get as nearly a good bike for the money, I'm not sure what the money is better off on going on tbh.

[Abe Froman]

You can have the bike fitting on it's own. I didn't buy a bike from there...yet. I booked up, went in and had the fit, came away with a list of my 'perfect' bikes to go and research.

I'm only 5'8" but would need for example a Large Wilier, but a medium Argon55 and currently ride a 56cm Madone. Because I have long arms and legs...a bit like those spiders in the bath. It's about your geometry. One 5' 8" is different to another 5' 8"

[Abe Froman]

Rolls said:

Excuse my ignorance, but how exactly does this work / what do they do etc?

They measure every part of you...cough! Using what looks like a medieval machine.
http://www.bikefitting.com/English/Frame.aspx

Shoulder width, arm length, standover, leg, etc feed it into a computer and you get a printout of a bike frame with your perfect geo on it.

First they ask you what type of riding, so race fit would have a higher saddle, lower bars and sportif would have more 'comfortable' settings for longer rides, etc

[CVP]

raf_gti said:

How did you find your bike beforehand?

To be honest, a little cramped to how I feel now. I would get neck pain after long rides. However I suspect that came down to me impulse buying that particular bike. It was a Trek Y-Foil with Ultegra and as soon as I saw it the rational side of any decision making went out of my head, it was just so darn cool. In reality it was a little too small but I blew all my cash buying it so didn't have any left for upgrades to a longer stem etc.

The fitting was thrown in with the new bike but at least this time I did my research before leaping in and for the last 8 years or so have been much more comfortable.

Chris