Bike Fitting

[Risex4]

Apols if this has been discussed somewhere before - I cant get the search bar to return a decent answer.

But I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on bike fittings? I'm about to (well, as soon as unexpected expenses stop popping up everywhere!) take the plunge and buy my first roadie after riding a hybrid for the last decade. I'm probably looking at spending £1500, I've been eyeing up the Specialized range and was looking at their BGFit sessions for £120. My thinking being that the old DIY - hammer it into shape - that'll do approach may have sufficed on a entry level hybbie for commutes and odd hops, but if I'm thinking of sinking the better part of two grand, joining a club, taking on audax distances yadda yadda yadda, an extra £100 might be worthwhile to get the most out of it?

Experiences? Worth it for an - as stated - road bike newbie?

 

[400bhp]

It's a sensible approach. Go for it!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

great things are bike fits, thought I was comfortable until I had one

 

[deadpool7]

My local bike shop offered a discounted ($30), certified fitting since I had purchased my bike there. I went back three months later for the fitting and it has made an amazing difference in my overall comfort. They adjusted my seat height and positioning, replaced my handlebars with a shorter set to better accommodate my shoulder spacing, and adjusted handle bar height and positioning. I can't say enough good things about the benefits of a good fitting.

 

[simon the viking]

I'm interested in the thoughts of people in this thread as I cant really justify 100 quid + parts (stems etc) at moment to bike fit a 200 quid bike but I've been looking at a few websites that will give you the required distances in response to your in-putted measurements I would be willing to buy bigger stems and perhaps bars if required... Has anybody done a bike fit themselves using the internet? and if so was the result any good?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

All I can say is that I've spent tons of effort in trying to get my bike fit correct myself, and when (if) I can ever afford to I'll be going for a proper bike fit.

 

[BrianEvesham]

I have tried following online guides, it's almost right, but I know it's not there yet. I'm still getting pins and needles in my hands at times. When funds are available I will be trying a proper bike fit locally.

 

[Lee_M]

had one before I got my domane

highly recommended. My bike may look weird to people now, but I can ride it all day without much pain (Ive had a major back op so it will never be pain free)

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I have tried following online guides, it's almost right, but I know it's not there yet. I'm still getting pins and needles in my hands at times. When funds are available I will be trying a proper bike fit locally.

same prob I have

 

[fossyant]

I set my bikes up to Bernard Hinaults formula about 25 years ago and it works for me. Once you have one bike correct, you can use that as a basis for others. Lots of conflicting advice out there, so a bike fit is usually recommended if you arent dead sure.

 

[BrianEvesham]

same prob I have

Mine come after 3 to 4 miles, but disappear after about 20 miles. When I completed my longest ride last week at 66 miles they didn't return after the 20 mile threshold. I would love to get rid of this!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Mine come after 3 to 4 miles, but disappear after about 20 miles. When I completed my longest ride last week at 66 miles they didn't return after the 20 mile threshold. I would love to get rid of this!

I think it's about the thirty mile mark for me, I have tried shifting my seat forward a bit and I'll find out how much difference this has made when I go on this weekend's hundred mile jaunt!

 

[Cyclist33]

My local bike shop offered a discounted ($30), certified fitting since I had purchased my bike there. I went back three months later for the fitting and it has made an amazing difference in my overall comfort. They adjusted my seat height and positioning, replaced my handlebars with a shorter set to better accommodate my shoulder spacing, and adjusted handle bar height and positioning. I can't say enough good things about the benefits of a good fitting.

Yes but you could've done that yourself with a small bit of reading around and your own empirical judgment!

My lbs specced me up on a 58cm racer based on an inside leg measurement and nothing else. I had even gone in there and said "I want either a 56 or a 54 and then adjust it round that". The guy is a qualified fitter apparently but the bike he put me on was dangerously hard to control, and no pleasure anyway as a result.

"Body knows best" as my sister always says of her skating training. No amount of professional fitting will better what you can do yourself, though if paying someone you've never met or ridden with to decide how you should be positioned makes you feel better, go for it!

Stu

 

[Nosaj]

I had a bike fit at the time of purchasing my new bike. At the same time I swapped from SPD shoes and pedals to SPD SL (6 degree float)

My comfort on the bike was improved significantly, apart from my knees which to put it bluntly now feel f*&^ed. I have never ever had any knee problems whatsoever before.

Could be many factors contributing to this - a sudden ramp up in riding intensity as I was without a bike between sale of old and purchase of new (although I have had periods of low bike activity followed by high bike activity without issue before). I had to have cleat shims put in, as my right leg is slightly shorter than my left (my knee pain is in the right leg), the move from SPD to SPD SL may not suit me, I may need more float in my cleats, there may be a bedding in period for my body as the position is different to my previous position, I have bought a turbo and been on that quite a few times, I am getting older etc etc etc.

Anyway I have now booked a sports specific physio to sort the knee pain (hopefully) and at the time of booking the appointment he advised me that he is able to perform a biomechanical assesment whilst on the turbo to see if there are any tweaks that can be made. It helps that he is a cyclist and coincidentally has exactly the same bike as me!

Aside from my knees my upper body feels far better than it did previously, I feel more symmetrical on the bike, I have virtually elimated shoulder and neck ache - and my road bike is also used for time trialling. The handlebars have all the spacers above the bar so the position is fairly aggresive.

Would I have another fit - yes it was definately well worth it, however there is more one way to skin a cat, rather than going to a shop perhaps next time I may book a fit/assessment with a properly qualified physio - had I paid full price for the fit the price differences the two would have been negligible.

 

[Fnaar]

I've always felt that bike fitting is a bit 'snake oil', to be honest... when i get a bike (new one in the next 2 weeks or so ) I just ride it and play around with possible adjustments till I'm happy with it. Never had an issue, apart from one MTB and a numbish little finger. I adjusted the bar extender and it was fine.
Bloke I know paid £150 for a fit; when we go out together, after 20 miles, he's shaking his hands, coz his wrist is numb. But he still swears that it was money well spent.