Bike fitting experiences?

[ithurts]

After a while of thinking about it i finally had a bike fitting last week at my LBS.

Well, i was quite surprised at how far off the mark i thought my 'comfortable' riding position was! (not).

After a short 20 mile blast this weekend on the new setup i can not believe the differance. It feels like i am on a sofa. I can not stress how much of a worth while think to do this is, especially if you are spending long times in the saddle. It may cost a few quid but i would recommend everyone to have it done.

Ithurts

[hussler.]

I had a pro bike fit the other week at Bike Dynamics Near Leicester, I have had my saddle raised 12mm and put forward 8mm on the TT bike to open out my Knee angle.... To cut a long story short I am now more aero than before, more comfortable and my position is fairly aggressive now:)
I did a 2 hr TT on Saturday and spent the whole 2 hours in the aero position:)

Well worth doing I paid £112 (with discount) for bike fit and cleat analysis...

[mickwood]

Not had a bike fitting service but in contrast I'm really not happy with my LBS. I bought my bike last year (convinced they sold me the wrong size frame, 60, but what do I know - it's my first ever bike!) had terrible trouble with my knees. Went back to ask if the set up was correct, they adjusted and now I feel really stretched out and can feel it on my lower back on longer rides! Doesn't instil confidence in 'professional bike services'

[Atomic]

Does anyone have any experience of a bike fitting service at wheelbase near Kendal.

Thinking about getting one done and this shop is only just over 1 hour away.

They were mentioned in this months 220 but I was wondering if anyone had used them before and could reccomend them or not.

[Lex]

Hey,

I had the BG Specialised bike fitting done at Sigma in Kingston last Friday and must say I think it was defo worth the money (120 notes). Being a complete numpty on stuff like this I found it very useful. They did a full flexibility assessment and looked at everything including cleat position and footbeds for the shoes. You tell them what you intend to do on the bike and they set it around you.

More experienced cyclists may struggle to find the value in it but for someone like me it was defo worth it.

[shadowone1]

When I bought my first bike from my LBS, the fitting consisted on me standing over the tob tube of the bike and the guy saying "hmm looks fine". I didn't know any better.

Then when I started cycling/ tri's I kept wondering why I was getting ridicolous back pain. It was so bad I was buying heat patches to help with the pain when out a cycle ride.

Then when i bought the argon from Btown I realised the issue was the bike. Sitting the argon next to the claud butler you could see the differences.

I never rode the claud butler again after that, she's now been sold.

So a good bike fit is important.

[danny_s]

I definetely would recommend paying for someone with bike fitting qualifications. I feel the same way Shadowone1 did. The shop I got my first road bike from (Tri and Run) had me on a bike that was just painful for more than an hour. New fit, paying attention to the proper angles and dimensions got me on a new bike that feels good after 5 hours. The cost was maybe 125 or 150 but the difference was worth it ten times over.

The system they used for me was the Serotta measurement system. The Specialized BG Fit system seems like a good one. The FIST protocols seem like the gold standard to me though, and particularly for tri bikes.

[mickwood]

When I bought my first bike from my LBS, the fitting consisted on me standing over the tob tube of the bike and the guy saying "hmm looks fine". I didn't know any better.

Then when I started cycling/ tri's I kept wondering why I was getting ridicolous back pain. It was so bad I was buying heat patches to help with the pain when out a cycle ride.

Then when i bought the argon from Btown I realised the issue was the bike. Sitting the argon next to the claud butler you could see the differences.

I never rode the claud butler again after that, she's now been sold.

So a good bike fit is important.

I very much think that's where I am now! Thinking new bike, fitted properly (with better LBS!). Any suggested retailers?

[guy909uk]

Hi,
I have recently been suffering with anterio-medial knee pain when on the bike. Have been doing 30 miles or on a Sat fairly swiftly with only niggles, but did 50-55 yesterday and got the pain back. Can ride on, but it's very sore and leaves me sore for a couple of days at least. I'm a little concerned that as I increase the miles the pain will get worse. I guess there' a good chance it is the bike setup, but I'm reluctant to pay out 150 quid if it's not!!? I get no pain in my knee when running or swimming.

Have other had experiences of knee pain etc which have resolved with a proper bike fit or is it a case of physio etc to address my inherent imbalances (I'm sure there must be plenty!).

Do these bike fits include fitting tri bars to a road bike? That would be most helpful!
Cheers,
Guy

[bunong]

I am like many of you - it feels good to not to be the only one out their that hurts. I can go out a push for about 30-35 miles after that its mind over matter as my lower back feels like someone is sticking a knife in and twisting it. I have been told by my Chiro that I need to strengthen my core muscles, which I am doing and it actually helps a little, nice to know she knows what she talking about .

I am going to go for a fitting session as I am convinced that the set up is wrong. Hopefully it is as it should mean I will be able to longer and faster - if its not I think I may take up tiddle winks or something equally physical...

Anyway Shadowone1: When you say Btown I take it you mean Bridgetown at Cannock? If so I pass that way on the way to the office so I am very tempted to go their. How do they test you - is there a 'professional' way or method the professionals use rather than 'hummm yeah that looks good'?

Cheers