Thread started by speedybrian2000 at 07.7.08 - 1:24 pm

How many of you guys have gotten your bicycle professionally fit? (not just adjusted) Is there someone that does this at a reasonable cost? Ive been checking these videos out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtzN4NPZ5jk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt3eVJ0ilEQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kgpkZfjhmc&feature=related


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Bicycle John's in Burbank



ChaosRR
07.7.08 - 2:37 pm

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It's not really rocket science. Mostly, if you've got some device that allows you to pedal freely and sit naturally and a helper to do some measuring, anyone can get a pretty good setup.

We should host a bike fitting party at one of the bicycle co-ops (stems and seatposts will likely come in useful). Some rollers or a trainer, a plumb-bob, and a measuring tape plus the usual bike tools are about all that are necessary. I had a professional bike fit (and now I just set up all my bikes to copy that one as closely as possible) and the difference was really impressive. I was able to get much more efficiency out of my leg muscles by involving my quads more via a slightly lower seat. I started going up hills much faster (which really isn't that hard, considering how slow I climb, even today)

I'd definitely be willing to help out with such an event. I'm no cycling coach, but I can measure accurately and watch videos of correct position for comparison. I bet we can do a pretty good job without spending loads of money.



ideasculptor
07.7.08 - 2:46 pm

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Getting properly fitted is an science. Getting in the ballpark, is relatively easy.

Exact fitting is time consuming and expensive. Most competent fitters will ask you to come back several times for follow-up and cost around a few hundred dollars. They might recommend other equipment changes like different stems, seatposts, cranks, orthoses, handlebars, etc which is not included in the fitting fee. It gets really expensive but can be worth it if you want optimal performance.

For the majority of us, a ballpark fitting will suffice. It all starts with getting the right size bike. From there a simple measure of the knee to the center of the pedal and the angle of the leg at the lowest point of the downstroke will get most people close.

While a proper fit should give us optimal performance, it doesn't really feel natural for most newer cyclist. Most will have to adjust their riding postures to experience the benefits of a fitting; most people ride with their saddles too low. It won't be comfortable at first but it will pay off over time.





sc_nomad
07.7.08 - 3:14 pm

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I got fitted at Budget Pro in eaglerock... it wasn't expensive, considering how important that kind of a thing is. 545 miles, and not so much as a thought about my knees... just sayin.



canadienne
07.7.08 - 3:31 pm

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p.s. that place is all-round amazing. The staff is really friendly, knowledgeable and helpful... and i don't feel ripped off when i go there. I can't remember how much I payed to be fitted... it was either around $40 or around $80. The latter would be worth it either way.



canadienne
07.7.08 - 3:35 pm

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I go there too.



Joe Borfo
07.7.08 - 3:35 pm

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*high fives*



canadienne
07.7.08 - 3:40 pm

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I've been fitted, but not to the extent that sc_n talks about. My reason for getting fitted, I was experiencing pain.

The guy I hired kept talking about injury reductions, he also said that the fitting would improve my performance. From the amount I noticed, it did both. Especially reduce the pain I was having.

If you look in (oddly enough) the older thread title
Bike Fitting you can see some other dialog. Dave suggested SundanceCycles on Kanan Rd in Aguora Hills. I went there to talk to the guy before hiring him. I had a really bad experience, the guy who does the fitting ignored me when I came, and when I tried to talk to him.

The other suggestion I was given, I ended up using. His name is Nate Loyal he works out of the upstairs space at Helen's on Broadway. It was the best $160 I ever spent. My pains went away, and I had so much more fun on my bike after the fitting. His number is 310-927-6283 and email is nate@nateloyal.com, which also has the website nateloyal.com. I heard great things about him before using his services, and do suggest him.

I didn't like the feel of bicycle Johns when I went in there. That doesn't mean they won't do a good job. Nor does it mean that the guy at Sundance would have done a bad job, but his treatment of me, turned me off.



sexy
07.7.08 - 3:42 pm

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I had my Langster fitted to me by David Tonello, up in Santa Maria. I think he did a great job. He has a lot of experience and credentials.

Unfortunately, his wife's shop, The Bike Barn, is out of business, but I would still recommend tracking David down if you don't mind the drive.



SPOOK
07.7.08 - 3:48 pm

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I got a free bike fit from Jax in LBC a while back, they had this computer do hicky that gave you a print out with your bike frame measurements and then dialed it in using the traditional plumb line at the knee and whatnot, I'd call around and see if any bike shops have that computer deal, it was a free service.



dannyzuko
07.7.08 - 4:14 pm

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the competitive cyclist website has a fit calculator that gives you a ballpark. it obviously doesn't include pedal/cleat alignment.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO



tfunk408
07.7.08 - 5:09 pm

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I've never yet been to a shop that had someone who would be qualified to recommend things like custom orthotics during a bike fit. Changing out stems, posts, and even cranks is fairly normal, but going to medical devices takes a level of expertise I've not seen anywhere outside of a professional cycling team. I was ftted by Ron Peterson (who is the guy who went through the back window of the road raging doctor) as part of his training. It took a number of hours, but much of that was spent simply making the necessary adjustments and finding the appropriate parts. You can do a lot better than what I would consider a simple ballpark fit, even without tons of experience, so long as you are careful about making measurements and following it up with careful adjustments.

A ballpark fit, to me, is buying parts to deliver the geometry specified by something like a fit kit, and then spending a few minutes getting the seat height close to correct. We can do way better than that if we set up a mag trainer, a video camera on a tripod for before/after comparisons, get a couple of experienced wrenches to help riders adjust their bikes, and a couple of folks who aren't complete newbs to do the measuring, and then set up something of an assembly line where riders can move between the wrenches and the measuring stations until they get everything right. I bet we can get 80-90% of the fit you'll get from a $200 professional fitting.






ideasculptor
07.7.08 - 5:49 pm

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