Best Bike-fitting in Chicago?

I am looking for the best Best Bike-fitting shop in Chicago. I have gone to Get a Grip Cycles, Turin Bicycles and Higher Gear in Highland Park none have been able to get it right. I almost flew to Colorado to a place that has rave reviews. I love cycling and often after rides I feel pain in both knees and or soreness. I have seen a knee specialist and both knees are healthy. So it must be a fitting issue. I use Time RSX pedals. Does anyone here have a place to recommend in Chicago or even in another state? I hope to ride more this year and avoid post ride ice packs. :)

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on January 22, 2012 at 4:17am

Chris at Element multi sports uses the retul system, I highly recommend it. The others you have mentioned are some of the best in the area.  Good luck.

Permalink Reply by Christian on January 22, 2012 at 4:38am

Thanks, I will do some research on the retul system. Hopefully it will work and lead to pain free miles in 2012! :)

Permalink Reply by Michael A on January 22, 2012 at 4:50am

Also look into some custom orthotics for your shoes, that solved all my knee issues.

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on January 22, 2012 at 5:42am

As Michael says, those shops offer some of the best fitting in the region.  I'm assuming you are using floating cleats and depending upon where your knee pain is, you may be a good candidate for cleat wedges, if you're not using them already.

Your knee pain may also not even be caused by bike fit but rather your body's biomechanics.  11 years ago I had to sit out several days of RAGBRAI because of intense painful knee issues.  After several sessions with my local physical therapist, we found my Ilio-tibial bands were tight as piano wires which was causing my issue.  I stretch and foam roll my IT bands almost daily which has alleviated that pain ever since.  Again, it depends where in your knees your experiencing this pain that will eliminate the cause.

Permalink Reply by JD on January 22, 2012 at 5:59am

Those are all very reputable places - it seems that there may be still some minor adjustments yet to be had (saddle, pedal, cleats alignment, reach, etc).  

To answer your question, I had a great experience with Waterford (Wisconsin).  I too suffered from years of foot & knee pain on a poorly fit bike.  Being 6'5", I decided to start from scratch and get a custom bike made a lot of great options out there, but  I decided to go with a Waterford and Johanna Heller (@ Waterford) did the fit, which was an all encompassing process (about an hour in the saddle and another half an hour of measurements).  When it was all said and done, I received a great bike and more importantly, I have been foot and knee pain free since.  


Permalink Reply by ilter on January 22, 2012 at 6:24am

I too think it might have something to do with shoes or pedals, because my knee pains coincide with riding with hiking shoes. Actually it could be the q-factor rather than the shoes itself. My hiking shoes have wider soles than my cycling shoes, hence they place my feet wider apart.

If you are sure it is not the seat adjustment, or q-factor or shoes, my next suggestion would be to try a less stiff frame if that`s an option.

Permalink Reply by Paul Catanese on January 22, 2012 at 6:49am

I had good luck with Sean at Johnny Sprockets on Broadway.  

Permalink Reply by Seri97 on January 22, 2012 at 7:33am

I was referred to Chris at Element Multisport on Clyborn in Chicago and second him.  Remember to bring in all shoes you wear on a particular bike.  It makes a difference.  Each bike is usually a separate fitting.  Chris did three fitting for three separate bikes so far and is extremely nice, and flexible.  None of the bikes were purchased there.  FYI, his fitting are around $150.00-$200.00 and can go up from there.

Permalink Reply by mark stetson on January 22, 2012 at 7:48am

Cronometro in Madison is a high end shop that specializes in fitting.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 22, 2012 at 10:17am

Try stretching your hamstrings and quads before and after each ride. Three sets of 30 seconds for each leg for each muscle group. Solved my knee problems. 'Tis simple, and the price is right.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on January 22, 2012 at 10:31am

Just curious, was there a significant difference in your fit session results from the three different shops you went to already?

I can recommend Iron Cycles, and Tony Bustamante at Velosmith in Wilmette.

Permalink Reply by Christian on January 22, 2012 at 11:33am

Yes, which really surprised me.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

Just curious, was there a significant difference in your fit session results from the three different shops you went to already?

I can recommend Iron Cycles, and Tony Bustamante at Velosmith in Wilmette.

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