road bike fitting in greater London area

ghesketh

Can anyone recommend a good place in the greater London area where I could have my riding position checked, and my road bike properly fit to me? (The LBS where I recently bought my bike doesn't have the capacity to do a proper fitting)... I've got a Specialized Secteur Comp and was going to take it to the Spec Concept Store in Ruislip, but they charge 120 quid, which to me seems a bit pricey (eg. Epic cycles near Birmingham charges 50, but is a little tough for me to get to). Any recommendations/advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,
GGH

ScottieP

From what I've seen most of the places in London are very expensive.... e.g. Bespoke Cycling and Cyclefit. A few places do the Specialized BG fit (like Sigma Sport) which as you say is at least £120.

I've heard good things about the Bike Whisperer in Ealing - but I've never been there ... It's under 100 but only just.

I had the same dilemma a few months ago.... and ended up just getting a hour fit at my local bike shop for £40 - where they did some fairly basic checks.

Ultimately as I see it, it's all down to the competence of the fitter and that's a tough one to judge. As well as Epic, Paul Hewitt is very highly regarded - but he's further away from London.

I hope that this is of some help.

The guy I really wanted to use is Steve Hogg - but he's in Sydney - so that's too hard from here, but next time I visit Aus - he'll be one of the first people I get in touch with.

bigal.

The money that cyclefit charge is worth every penny down to the fact that they actually set up your bike correctly according to each detail which is taken from your own shape, riding style and even your saddle type. I am sure they measure your flexibility as well and advise on ways to improve your riding technique.

ScottieP

bigal. wrote:

The money that cyclefit charge is worth every penny down to the fact that they actually set up your bike correctly according to each detail which is taken from your own shape, riding style and even your saddle type. I am sure they measure your flexibility as well and advise on ways to improve your riding technique.

That's what a bike fit is to me - getting you measured and set up correctly - it's just that various companies/people charge very differently for doing it (especially in London).

If you have the money and are happy to spend it - that's great, I'm sure you will get benefits from doing it.

I think the OP was looking for options at less than the BG fit pricing which probably rules out Cyclefit and others above £120.

Lou_m

I had a Specialized BG fit last February as I was having knee problems. 2 weeks later I was out at a training camp in Majorca and I was still having pain. At the camp they offered a Cyclefit and as i was going to be out there for 2 weeks I took the plunge and had it done.

The result? No knee pain from the next ride onwards There wasn't a great deal of adjustment made from the Specialized one but the Cyclefit one picked up lots more info about my body, ie bones of different length in my legs!

Lloyd who carried out the bike fit is now working with Columbia HTC Team for bike fits etc!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/cyclefitde/ ... aroteCamp#

Some great photos there!

bigal.

ScottieP- I agree that is what a bike fitting should involve but there are lots of companies out there that will take your money from you with little or no experience and could actually do more harm than good.

I have experienced 2 companies in different parts of the UK who never even looked at saddle type, leg length or shoe/cleat type.

Cylcfit along with one or two others will actually get your position into what is correct and comfortable for you and then measure your power output. They will then make minor adjustments to gauge if they can incease your power output whilst maintaining a comfy position. I suppose for me it is all about the level of detail and support that is offered.

ScottieP

bigal. wrote:

ScottieP- I agree that is what a bike fitting should involve but there are lots of companies out there that will take your money from you with little or no experience and could actually do more harm than good.

I have experienced 2 companies in different parts of the UK who never even looked at saddle type, leg length or shoe/cleat type.

BigAl, I agree completely that there are lots of companies and people of differing experience doing this and also that it could cause you more problems than help. I'm not at all trying to say don't use Cyclefit either - I have seen some good reviews for them - I'm just saying it's a lot of money (if you're riding a relatively inexpensive bike) and if you're not buying your bike from them (£350).

I think buying a bikefitting is a leap of faith for most of us, as you're putting your faith in the individual doing the fit.... it's just a tougher leap at high prices.

Given the OP's original question - I do think you probably need to look outside of London for lower priced bike fitting - but also realise that the service may not be a "full" or detailed as one of the premium services.

daviesee

Looking outside London may give better prices, even with equal service, but add on additional travel expenses and hassle; is it worth the saving?
Such is the price for living in the big smoke.
Is a proper fit worth the price?
How much do new bars cost? Or stem? Or cranks? Or saddle? etc, etc.
Or, all of the above?
Not to mention a new frame :shock:

If I lived near Cylcefit when purchasing a bike above £1000 they would have been my first stop!

Lou_m

That is expensive! I paid 150 euros last year for mine, then again i did "waste" £125 on a Specialized fit which didn't solve my problem.

Mark73

I had a fitting at the Bike Whisperer (based in Ealing) a few months back can't recommend them highly enough. Great people, great service and a brilliant fit. Knee probs disappeared overnight!

mtb-idle

Corridoriat Epsom Downs (it's only a couple of miles outside London).

Apparently they are also one of Specialized's concept stores and also sell Bianchi.

Here's the bit about bike fitting

Monty Dog

I'd only recommend Cyclefit if you have a genuine biomechanical issue - I know people who've had it done for just a regular fit and only ended up with little for their money - itheir bias is more towards comfort rather than performanc - oh and selling you an expensive custom Serrotta.