Bike Fitting

I think a re-shuffle of priorities ought to see you right, as others have said, custom is rarely required unless you have very strange bodily dimensions. And if you do really value the fit, then you'd be better off spending money on the bikefit, then less on a frame. Personally I wouldn't bother with some old lugged thing from Goff, unless you enjoy waiting more than riding.

can not believe that someone wants a custom made frame and does not have the time to visit the makers, why not try a halfords bike ! or tescos ????????

I've been using this free web based one, which will be about a millionth as good as a proper fitting. You can tweek your measurements over time, as you create a log in. I use it to decide which OTP frames would be most suited to me.
Seems to give me a short total reach (TT + stem length) though. I'm pretty sure 63 cm is about right (my fixed is admittedly 62), but it seems to throw up 61cm.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

If you're going custom then I would have thought a rough fitting was part of the price. Its certainly worth investing time on the consultation, otherwise why go custom? (IMHO)

More info/links
http://www.cyclemetrics.com/Pages/FitLinks/bike_fit_links.htm

A fair while ago I had a fit done and it suggested I ride a 54-55 (I havent got the exact numbers to hand) top tube with a 90-100mm stem. My question is, is this the same as riding a 57 top tube with say a 70mm stem, or am I missing something? I've got a weak lower back due to a bit of what is medically know as 'shit spine' but the past two years or so since the fit have been a lot better... but it does limit your frame options a touch...

Anyone know?

the reach is still the same, but the handling will be different.

i don't see how this limits your options?

I know how it will affect handling, its the fitting issue I wasnt certain of - I assumed that the overall reach was what was key. I actually would prefer a shorter stem on a slightly longer TT - i like the feel of shorter stems.

Cheers

Hi all,

I feel that with Christmas coming, a proper bike fit is in order to alleviate my newly acquired knee pains and other aches. However, like many people out there, I require serious enlightening as to which service I should splash my hard earned cash on, and if it's worth it?

I therefore hope to start a comprehensive and up-to-date thread on bike fitting services available in the London area.

Below I've listed several issues that come to mind:

1. So far I've identified four main service providers to choose from in London:
   
   

CycleFit (Classic Cycle Fit: £250, Basic Cycle Fit on your own Bike: £110)
Mosquito (£180)
Bespoke Cycling (£175)
The Bike Whisperer (£145)

Any more good ones out there?

1. All of the above seem to offer different approaches to fitting. Bespoke uses Retul, CycleFit also uses some high-tech shiz, whereas Mosquito and The Bike Whisperer take a more traditional approach as far as I understand. From your experience, which is the best? In particular, is the £110 CycleFit one adequate?

2. What is included as part of each service? It is a bit unclear to me whether each fitter will set up your bike in addition to giving you a write-up of your specifications, vice versa. Do you have to pay extra for small things such as cleat shims?

3. How long are the waiting lists? I've heard that some people wait several months to get fitted at CycleFit.

4. Do you receive any after-care? If something isn't quite right, can you return for a follow up fit within a certain period of time? I know you can come back within 3 months at The Bike Whisperer.

I'd really appreciate your input.

Cheers,

Peter

Paul Mill at http://www.elitecycling.co.uk/ based at Crystal Palace Sports Centre.
I know some people who have used him and been very happy, prices depend on how in depth you want to go.

My Osteopath is just starting up a bike fit service and will hopefully be up and running in the New Year, I'll ask how much he will be charging.

Not in London but Warick but I thought I'd give him a plug as he fitted me to two of my bikes and will be back there again in the new year to get my partners bike sorted - did a good job.

http://bikedynamics.co.uk

https://www.lfgss.com/thread21125.html

The Warick one seems to be very reasonably priced and you seem to get a lot of options, although travel costs will probably outweigh the low price benefit. You could always cycle there...

Fixedwheelnut, I've just dropped elitecycling an email enquiring about prices. I'll post them when they get back to me.

From my experience, Cyclefit is the best in London. Have used 3 out of the 4 you mentioned.

Which one haven't you used?

Also, which CycleFit service did you use? The £110 one or did you go for the whole shabang?

specialized BG fit at sigma (by Nick when at cycleworks, now at sigma in kingston)

You could always try Wyndy Milla.

http://www.wyndymilla.com/fitting-performance.html

How much does that cost?

Have you actually tried Wyndy Milla?

first off, im not in london (or the uk, for that matter) but, i can tell you that no fit system out there is designed to compensate for injured knees, elbows, or pride for that matter....if it was me, id start with a custom cleat fit if you run clippless pedals, if that doesnt work....check out the fore/aft position of your saddle.....these are the two most common cause/agrivators of knee issues

I beg to differ... My experience of cyclefit and bikewhisperer is that injuries are dealt with comprehensively. At least an hour of my cyclefit was a physical assessment away from the bike of my flexibility and in particular the movement of my knees. Cleat positioning and custom innersoles are standard practice.

1+

Scherrit were able to adjust my bike to compensate for my dodgy knees (extra bones growing just under kneecap - very painful), his vast knowledge enough to make mdcc_tester look like Prince William, and I've yet to hear anyone who didn't find the Bike Whisperer useful.

his method may be old fashion, but by god it work.

I must say, I'm very tempted by the bike whisperer. I think that overall experience beats modern technology.

I got my bikefit at Mosquito, when I purchased a new road bike, it was coo, roger who did the fit, was professional, and conscientious and going from the jig back to my badly set up mountain bike was torture.
As far as I'm concerned a fit, should be fit and forget, the information is given to me, and I shouldn't need to head back to them again, or refer to it unless I'm building up a bike or getting a custom frame. I may need to tweak a couple of things but my riding style and body position shouldn't change that much, so I shouldn't need a return to them, its not like I'm a top flight racer who needs minute changes in fit to get optimal performance.

Just get the one you can afford, and let your body tell you whether it was worth it, which it will be.

Wyndy Milla have a new fitting service that uses a neumatic jig fitted with a power meter in each pedal, the jig moves 1mm at a time and spits out real time power data as your position is manipulated.

It's a very scientific approach to bike fitting, although I do feel the position Scheritt would deliver would be near as or exactly the same. It's only a bike.

Costs £150 I think.

As far as I'm concerned a fit, should be fit and forget

but your fit will change over time due to various things plus different kinds of riding require different kinds of fit.