Booked in for my first bike fit with Specialized. I have opted for the cheaper one £50 as opposed to the £150 one. My reasoning was that I am a 45 year old with pins and plates in parts of my body and I don't want to be aerodynamic just comfortable..as I can't get aerodynamic. I do about 4500km -5000km a year and like doing sportives so its about comfort not speed.My question is... is the lower priced one the one I need or will it be a waste of money?
Bike Fit
- Thread starter JD42
- Start date
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vickster
Squire
Does the fitter have musculoskeletal expertise which will be more important if you have history of injury which may affect your flexibility etc. If not, I would find someone who does if you really think you need the fitting - are you struggling with comfort now (your post doesn't say)? If not, sounds like a waste of time and money to correct something that isn't broken (you could even end up with discomfort you don't have now)
Can't imagine they do it very thoroughly for £50 (an hour tops?)
vickster
Squire
I'd get a bike fit from a physio (be around £100 in London, maybe less elsewhere), and an exercise / stretching programme tailored to your ails at the same time
No point spending £50 on something that might not be suitable
Cheers vickster
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I like the physio idea.
The problem with bike fits is that there are several systems out there, that somewhat differ and contradict each other in detail, and they can't all be correct - this being the case, which does one choose?
Like you, I've got Meccano in me and a Reutul fit made things quite uncomfortable. Went back to my own set up, hard won after years of practical application, trial, and error, and the problem went.
The problem with bike fits is that there are several systems out there, that somewhat differ and contradict each other in detail, and they can't all be correct - this being the case, which does one choose?
Like you, I've got Meccano in me and a Reutul fit made things quite uncomfortable. Went back to my own set up, hard won after years of practical application, trial, and error, and the problem went.
I feel your pain... it's more the saddle, cleat area. I ride with my bars high due to the expensive metallic things in the lower back.. it's that position I have got to like...there may be small adjustments but they could make life that slightly bit more bearable.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Good luck my friend. Right elbow and forearm for me.
Lozz360
Veteran
- Location
- Oxfordshire
I was just about to book a bike fit. This thread has just about made me change my mind. The thing is I don't have any discomfort. My cycling is commuting, leisure rides and sportives. I was hoping that a professional bike fit could advise on the optimum position, plus if I were to upgrade my bike in the near future, I didn't want a bike fitter to then say that I should ideally have a different size frame to my new bike. I would rather they said that with reference to my existing starter bike.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
AS said before if you post a piccie of yourself on your bike from the side with your hands on the hoods , one with legs at the bottom extended and another with your leg bent at 90 degrees you might get some pointers for free.
Commuters can still benefit from help , bike fit is not just about being aero but being comfy too .
I used to get problems with my neck/hands and posted on here and it certainly helped.
Have a look at ....
http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html
http://bikedynamics.co.uk/guidelines.htm
Commuters can still benefit from help , bike fit is not just about being aero but being comfy too .
I used to get problems with my neck/hands and posted on here and it certainly helped.
Have a look at ....
http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html
http://bikedynamics.co.uk/guidelines.htm
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I reckon those differences are down to the person doing the fitting rather than the system they use. Retul and other high-tech systems are all essentially the same as an old-school bike fit with stick and tape measure, just with more of a sciencey veneer.
When choosing where to go for your bike fit, you should consider the credentials and experience of the person doing the job, rather than what fancy kit they've got.
A good bike fitter will understand that and work towards your requirements, not just try to force you into a position that doesn't suit you because it's their idea of what a rider should look like on the bike.
You won't get a lesser service with the £50 option, you just won't get to spend as long with the fitter. When I went for a bike fit earlier this year, it took the best part of three hours. I could have got most of the way there in 90 minutes, but it was good to have that extra time for fine-tuning. I would say it has been worthwhile.
Globalti
Legendary Member
Money well spent. There are so many ways you can adjust a bike and especially a Specialized bike with the multiple stem positions, that it should end up fitting you well. Bear in mind that if you are buying the bike from a Specialized dealer they won't mind swopping things like the stem, bar tape, saddle, tyres etc.
I already have a diverge a1... unfortunately Mrs jd has put a stop to n+1 lol
vickster
Squire
The optimum position IMO is one that is comfortable (and efficient)
