Bike fitting? - The Chainlink2024-03-29T02:33:42Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?feed=yes&xn_auth=noSteve,
I did a lot of resear…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-26:2211490:Comment:1782302010-04-26T18:15:21.613ZChris Thorntonhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/ChrisThornton
Steve,<br />
<br />
I did a lot of research on bike fitting after getting fitted for a new bike a couple of years ago. I finished up documenting a lot of the information in an article that was published in the Fox Valley Bike & Ski Club monthly newsletter.<br />
<br />
Principally there's only two things that matter. The "seat-tube angle" and "effective top tube length." Once these parameters are correct everything else can be dialed in.<br />
<br />
Here's a link to the article.…
Steve,<br />
<br />
I did a lot of research on bike fitting after getting fitted for a new bike a couple of years ago. I finished up documenting a lot of the information in an article that was published in the Fox Valley Bike & Ski Club monthly newsletter.<br />
<br />
Principally there's only two things that matter. The "seat-tube angle" and "effective top tube length." Once these parameters are correct everything else can be dialed in.<br />
<br />
Here's a link to the article.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fvbsc.org/archive/fvbsc_roadbikefit.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.fvbsc.org/archive/fvbsc_roadbikefit.pdf</a><br />
<br />
Chris T I just went through the fit p…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-26:2211490:Comment:1782142010-04-26T17:18:32.395ZJackhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Jack
I just went through the fit process at GAG and it went well. They have F.I.S.T. fitting certifications and a fit cycle (a completely adjustable bike trainer thing to dial in your fit). They detail down to your cleat placement if you have clipless pedals, digitally record your cycling motion to help with fit, power transfer, and knee alignment.<br />
<br />
One of the best parts was that when I was fit, my current bike was sized properly and there was no pressure upselling. I had my bars adjusted and…
I just went through the fit process at GAG and it went well. They have F.I.S.T. fitting certifications and a fit cycle (a completely adjustable bike trainer thing to dial in your fit). They detail down to your cleat placement if you have clipless pedals, digitally record your cycling motion to help with fit, power transfer, and knee alignment.<br />
<br />
One of the best parts was that when I was fit, my current bike was sized properly and there was no pressure upselling. I had my bars adjusted and lowered the seat along with a tweak to the cleat placement on my shoes.<br />
<br />
The rate is above 100 clams, it is $325 i believe, but most of it is applied to your bike purchase if you go with something from them. I <b>don't</b> know if there are varying rates depending on how detailed you want the fitting. I am a Chicago Tri Club member and that got me a discount on the fitting.<br />
<br />
They are great to work with and more of an upscale shop. You won't find Huffys on the racks there. Very knowledgeable and easy going. I hope this helps.<br />
<br />
<cite>dan brown said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A178070&page=2#2211490Comment178191"><div>get a grip (the one by Irving Pk Rd) does very good fittings. they have some type of certification and<br/>possibly a 'fit kit' (special bike for fitting). YMMV<br/><br/>DB<br/><br/><cite>Julie Hochstadter said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A178070&page=2#2211490Comment178160"><div>i feel your pain,but unlike you didn't have much of a relationship with an LBS. Turin is great, I agree....i rode a 44 cm eros donna bianchi for 2 years even though it didn't fit me because i loved it and the bike shop i bought it at told me it fit which i believed them at the time..... i miss the bike terribly and even took it in for a bike fitting at athletico since my arms were going numb but finally came to the realtization that it doesn't fit me and sold it to a friend. If anyone knows of a 39-42 cm or xsmall frame junior road bike hit me up.</div>
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</blockquote> get a grip (the one by Irving…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-26:2211490:Comment:1781912010-04-26T15:01:43.784Zdan brownhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/danielbrown
get a grip (the one by Irving Pk Rd) does very good fittings. they have some type of certification and<br />
possibly a 'fit kit' (special bike for fitting). YMMV<br />
<br />
DB<br />
<br />
<cite>Julie Hochstadter said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A178070&page=2#2211490Comment178160"><div>i feel your pain,but unlike you didn't have much of a relationship with an LBS. Turin is great, I agree....i rode a 44 cm eros donna bianchi for 2 years even…</div>
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get a grip (the one by Irving Pk Rd) does very good fittings. they have some type of certification and<br />
possibly a 'fit kit' (special bike for fitting). YMMV<br />
<br />
DB<br />
<br />
<cite>Julie Hochstadter said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A178070&page=2#2211490Comment178160"><div>i feel your pain,but unlike you didn't have much of a relationship with an LBS. Turin is great, I agree....i rode a 44 cm eros donna bianchi for 2 years even though it didn't fit me because i loved it and the bike shop i bought it at told me it fit which i believed them at the time..... i miss the bike terribly and even took it in for a bike fitting at athletico since my arms were going numb but finally came to the realtization that it doesn't fit me and sold it to a friend. If anyone knows of a 39-42 cm or xsmall frame junior road bike hit me up.</div>
</blockquote> i feel your pain,but unlike y…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-26:2211490:Comment:1781602010-04-26T08:08:13.785ZJulie Aberman (Hochstadter)https://thechainlink.org/profile/JulieHochstadter
i feel your pain,but unlike you didn't have much of a relationship with an LBS. Turin is great, I agree....i rode a 44 cm eros donna bianchi for 2 years even though it didn't fit me because i loved it and the bike shop i bought it at told me it fit which i believed them at the time..... i miss the bike terribly and even took it in for a bike fitting at athletico since my arms were going numb but finally came to the realtization that it doesn't fit me and sold it to a friend. If anyone knows of…
i feel your pain,but unlike you didn't have much of a relationship with an LBS. Turin is great, I agree....i rode a 44 cm eros donna bianchi for 2 years even though it didn't fit me because i loved it and the bike shop i bought it at told me it fit which i believed them at the time..... i miss the bike terribly and even took it in for a bike fitting at athletico since my arms were going numb but finally came to the realtization that it doesn't fit me and sold it to a friend. If anyone knows of a 39-42 cm or xsmall frame junior road bike hit me up. Thank you for you're help Its…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-26:2211490:Comment:1781292010-04-26T01:40:01.053ZStevehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Steve147
Thank you for you're help Its kind of what I expected. But again thank you so much for your help and very good information.<br />
<br />
<cite>Arrak Thumrs said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A178124&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment178124"><div>I didn't realize that, and I apologize for the suggestion. I assumed the steerer was aluminum.<br></br> <br></br> If you're already stretched out on the flats, I'm ready to side with your…</div>
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Thank you for you're help Its kind of what I expected. But again thank you so much for your help and very good information.<br />
<br />
<cite>Arrak Thumrs said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A178124&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment178124"><div>I didn't realize that, and I apologize for the suggestion. I assumed the steerer was aluminum.<br/> <br/>
If you're already stretched out on the flats, I'm ready to side with your bike shop. If you like everything about the bike but the frame, why not transfer the full grouppo to an appropriate frame that fits you? Sell the bare Litespeed on eBay or the CL Marketplace.<br/>
<br/>
Frankly, your fit sounds out of the norm. Perfect for a custom. Having said that, I think my suggestions will be exactly what you don't want to hear. So I plead the fifth and consequently shut up :)<br/>
<br/>
Best of luck and happy rides!</div>
</blockquote> I didn't realize that, and I…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-26:2211490:Comment:1781242010-04-26T00:53:28.728ZArrak Thumrshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/ArrakThumrs
I didn't realize that, and I apologize for the suggestion. I assumed the steerer was aluminum.<br />
<br />
If you're already stretched out on the flats, I'm ready to side with your bike shop. If you like everything about the bike but the frame, why not transfer the full grouppo to an appropriate frame that fits you? Sell the bare Litespeed on eBay or the CL Marketplace.<br />
<br />
Frankly, your fit sounds out of the norm. Perfect for a custom. Having said that, I think my suggestions will be exactly what you don't…
I didn't realize that, and I apologize for the suggestion. I assumed the steerer was aluminum.<br />
<br />
If you're already stretched out on the flats, I'm ready to side with your bike shop. If you like everything about the bike but the frame, why not transfer the full grouppo to an appropriate frame that fits you? Sell the bare Litespeed on eBay or the CL Marketplace.<br />
<br />
Frankly, your fit sounds out of the norm. Perfect for a custom. Having said that, I think my suggestions will be exactly what you don't want to hear. So I plead the fifth and consequently shut up :)<br />
<br />
Best of luck and happy rides! Ok well I guess I'm not right…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-25:2211490:Comment:1781152010-04-25T23:42:38.614ZStevehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Steve147
Ok well I guess I'm not right on the reach. But when I am on the bars the top flat I am very stretched out. Now the reach of the bars are 90mm drop is 145mm. Great idea on the extender I would just have to change out my fork it is a full carbon steer.<br />
<br />
<cite>Arrak Thumrs said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A178113&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment178112"><div>I was looking back over the numbers you provided…</div>
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Ok well I guess I'm not right on the reach. But when I am on the bars the top flat I am very stretched out. Now the reach of the bars are 90mm drop is 145mm. Great idea on the extender I would just have to change out my fork it is a full carbon steer.<br />
<br />
<cite>Arrak Thumrs said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A178113&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment178112"><div>I was looking back over the numbers you provided above. Seatposts are reasonably common in very long lengths---driven a lot by mountain bike designs as well as the more recent popularity of compact road geometries such as yours. I would not be surprised if you could get an appropriately sized post, which would be about 65mm longer. 40 <b>centimeters</b> (~16") reach is another thing... are you sure that's right?! That is an extraordinary amount.<br/> <br/>
*Do you already feel stretched when on the tops? That is, not on the brake hoods or in the drops, but on the flat section nearer the stem clamp.<br/>
*What is the reach of your handlebars? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html#reach" target="_blank">http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html#reach</a> Definition 2. Handlebar reach can easily vary by 40<b>mm</b> or more.<br/>
<br/>
Remember too, as you raise the steerer height (with an extension) you bring the bars closer to you. Also remember that as you raise the saddle, the bars get <i>farther</i> from you. It is a bit of a balancing act.<br/>
<br/>
As for your shoulder position, I think I would have to see it in person. Is that something you hadn't noticed before it was mentioned to you?<br/>
<br/>
BTW, Wig is totally right. It is a bit of a theoretical exercise without being able to see your relation to the actual bike configuration.</div>
</blockquote> Arrak Thumrs said:Remember to…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-25:2211490:Comment:1781132010-04-25T22:19:48.262ZArrak Thumrshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/ArrakThumrs
<cite>Arrak Thumrs said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/comment/show?id=2211490%3AComment%3A178112&xn_out=json&firstPage=1&lastPage=1&_=1272232879265&xg_token=108203b422f57437eba932633bf09b6a#2211490Comment178112"><div>Remember too, as you raise the steerer height (with an extension) you bring the bars closer to you.</div>
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<br />
To expand on this in a practical matter:<br />
<br />
If you kept everything else the same and installed this 3.25"extension…
<cite>Arrak Thumrs said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/comment/show?id=2211490%3AComment%3A178112&xn_out=json&firstPage=1&lastPage=1&_=1272232879265&xg_token=108203b422f57437eba932633bf09b6a#2211490Comment178112"><div>Remember too, as you raise the steerer height (with an extension) you bring the bars closer to you.</div>
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<br />
To expand on this in a practical matter:<br />
<br />
If you kept everything else the same and installed this 3.25"extension (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/2bz465z" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/2bz465z</a>), you would reduce your reach by about an inch with that frame geometry. I was looking back over the n…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-25:2211490:Comment:1781122010-04-25T22:01:18.707ZArrak Thumrshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/ArrakThumrs
I was looking back over the numbers you provided above. Seatposts are reasonably common in very long lengths---driven a lot by mountain bike designs as well as the more recent popularity of compact road geometries such as yours. I would not be surprised if you could get an appropriately sized post, which would be about 65mm longer. 40 <b>centimeters</b> (~16") reach is another thing... are you sure that's right?! That is an extraordinary amount.<br />
<br />
*Do you already feel stretched when on the tops?…
I was looking back over the numbers you provided above. Seatposts are reasonably common in very long lengths---driven a lot by mountain bike designs as well as the more recent popularity of compact road geometries such as yours. I would not be surprised if you could get an appropriately sized post, which would be about 65mm longer. 40 <b>centimeters</b> (~16") reach is another thing... are you sure that's right?! That is an extraordinary amount.<br />
<br />
*Do you already feel stretched when on the tops? That is, not on the brake hoods or in the drops, but on the flat section nearer the stem clamp.<br />
*What is the reach of your handlebars? <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html#reach" target="_blank">http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html#reach</a> Definition 2. Handlebar reach can easily vary by 40<b>mm</b> or more.<br />
<br />
Remember too, as you raise the steerer height (with an extension) you bring the bars closer to you. Also remember that as you raise the saddle, the bars get <i>farther</i> from you. It is a bit of a balancing act.<br />
<br />
As for your shoulder position, I think I would have to see it in person. Is that something you hadn't noticed before it was mentioned to you?<br />
<br />
BTW, Wig is totally right. It is a bit of a theoretical exercise without being able to see your relation to the actual bike configuration. I have already gone to my LBS…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-04-25:2211490:Comment:1781112010-04-25T20:36:44.372ZStevehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Steve147
I have already gone to my LBS Turin to have the bike fitted and they are the ones who told me they cant make the frame work for me. Like I said before I trust them totally they are a awesome shop with great workers. But do you think I should go back and ask them about handle bars? Also I was told that my shoulders were not level while I was sitting on the bike and my shoulders were facing out the sides. Would that be corrected by different bars?<br />
<br />
<cite>Arrak Thumrs said:…</cite>
I have already gone to my LBS Turin to have the bike fitted and they are the ones who told me they cant make the frame work for me. Like I said before I trust them totally they are a awesome shop with great workers. But do you think I should go back and ask them about handle bars? Also I was told that my shoulders were not level while I was sitting on the bike and my shoulders were facing out the sides. Would that be corrected by different bars?<br />
<br />
<cite>Arrak Thumrs said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-fitting?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A178110&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment178106"><div>I don't know where you are, but I have a rideable "Fit Stem" <a rel="nofollow" href="http://tinyurl.com/2e7uxvc" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/2e7uxvc</a> I would let you borrow. You would need to leave a deposit (fully refundable upon return). There are a lot of workarounds on bike fit... i.e. stem length, stem rise/fall, seatpost length, seatpost setback, different handlebars can drastically change your ride position, where you are positioned on the seat rails, HT extension risers, etc etc. If you are determined to stick with this frame and you are not <i>utterly</i>, <i>drastically</i> off base for size, you should be able to get something to work. In my experience, hand problems nearly always come from a too-high seatpost and too-low handlebar position. We're programmed to see the arrangement as attractive and correct due to bicycling's love affair with racing. Unfortunately, that is not how most of us ride and need our bike to fit. When you are racing, your legs are working along with your core to hold your body up by the strong downward force of your stroke. Your hands are very loose on the bars. When you're just pedaling through town, that force is not there, and you are left leaning on your palms, which is painful.<br/> <br/>
Also of note if the reach is too long, you might try some of the "randonneur" style drop bar designs. The tops flare back to allow you a more upright position when using them. Nitto makes a nice one as well as Modolo (through Velo Orange). I am set up to do personal fitting and have a number of bars you could look at to get an idea. If you want to look it over and even use the rideable fit-stem with your current set-up, that would be fine. No charge. I wouldn't want to lend out any bars without a fee, though. I'm in the western 'burbs.</div>
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