Bike Fitting

Get a fit done and then send the fit data to the frame builder

Yes this, I would definitely get a fit for a custom build!

I went to Bike Whisperer yesterday and highly recommend them

I don't know how suitable for your needs is bike fitting like the bike whisperer offers as they usually work with your own pre-existing bicycle. Do they have one of those adjustable bikes that frame builders use?

He will be able to draw you up a geometry for a custom frame. He did for me and I was/am very happy with the result.

As stated getting a bike-fit is not possible. This would be the normal way of doing it but how I'm going about this is a little different so I'd like to know the best way of finding out what frame size I need please :)

best way is to get a bike fit done!

there are online calculators but they fail to take into account the important things that a bike fitter should consider, such as your flexibility, what you want to do with the bike, any past injuries...

if you don't accurately know what size of bike you need, or if you even need a custom frame, then paying to have a custom frame seems pointless

Once again, I appreciate your advice but my circumstances are different and the reason I'm building this bike.

I'll have a look into the size chars more.

Oh james1234, you are a mystery, an enigma.

The only ways to determine your frame size, AFAIK, are;

1. Guess
   
2. Use your existing frame
   
3. Use the various formulae/tables/calculators etc
   
4. Go to a professional
   
   

Since you can't/won't do 4. then you are stuck with 1-3. Maybe if you tell us more about your circumstances, we might be able to help you better.

1 to 3 could be a poor basis for speccing a custom frame.

Have to agree, does seem silly to get a custom frame that won't aaaaaactually be custom because it isn't fitted to you...

James. If your circumstances don't allow you to get a fit, then your circumstances also mean you shouldn't get a custom frame. Go buy something off the shelf and save your cash

^ this. A custom bike is a once-in-a-lifetime thing (in fact most of us won't get even one). Spend the time and money to do it right.

I tried online fitting after I acquired/built 3 bikes in a couple of years. I think their value is limited because the measurements can be tricky to take (locating body landmarks and measuring them accurately is difficult). They also don't take account of flexibility etc. On top of all that, at the end you may be offered 3 different but equally valid "fits" depending on your riding style and intentions for the bike. As a result, the output of an online fit is probably no more valuable than simply using a bike you currently like as your template.

Take the advice.

Don't spunk your money away on a custom frame without getting yourself measured properly.. kinda evades the point of a custom frame in many ways.

I'm sure many of the Leicester Forest lot have had fittings at a decent prices so ask them.

how was this resolved?

So, I'm trying to work out if I can stretch to a Medium in a LOOK 586 that's for sale... I'm currently riding a LOOK KG176 which has a TT of 535, ST of 535, HT 120. These are all CTC. The HT is 72º and the ST is 74º.

I'm running a 100mm stem and an inline seatpost (though not Gastoned, it's almost as far back as it'll go on the rails).

I'm inclined to think the Small is the way to go, but the Medium might fit. I'd greatly appreciate your input before I drop all the dollah.

Stack and reach numbers would help.

The main issue would appear to be the increase in stem height, close to 30 mm if I read that right. Can your current handlebar position be replicated on a head tube that high? The change in top tube length looks like 5 mm which is barely noticeable.

As far as my shonky spirit level measurements, the stack is 524mm and the reach is 391mm. Those are both to the centre line of the HT where it intersects the top of the TT.

The handle bar issue should be fine I reckon, the KG176 has a quill stem and a threaded headset which has a load of parts above the HT. I also can't get it down very low as the HT is so short it bottoms out before it's really slammed. There's effectively 60mm from the top of the HT to the centre line of the stem just now. I imagine that with an integrated headset and maybe one of tester's bearing caps I'd be fine.

The Small would likely to required a setback seat post if you have to set your saddle that far back on the original.

A 60 minute presentation by one of Garmin's fitters at University of California

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxNznrlRXGU

tl;dw

^^Would like to get around to watching that, first 10mins seem quite interesting

A 60 minute presentation by one of Garmin's fitters at University of California

If one payed attention you'd have noticed that the presenter seems to like static metrics more than many people here suggest-- quite far removed from a poster child for Retül. Accepting that the body adapts and compensates its a simple logical consequence that there can't be such as thing as a bicycle fit beyond "starting points".. and static methods applied with reason (application, flexibility, condition etc.) are good starting points.. From there its really about training, psychology, physical therapy and a dash of experimentation..

I think he makes a good point that a fitness and flexibility will easily compensate for an inexact bike fit but even the most accurate bike fit will not make up for the lack of fitness and flexibility.