Specialized BG fit

Anonymous
Anonymous Posts: 79,665
edited March 2010 in Road buying advice
Anyone had one done?

How did it affect you?

Since 'The Incident' I've never been happy with my position and I'm thinking of splashing out on one of these fittings rather than bling.

I'm particularly mindful of cleat angle/placement, especially after reading Hopper's thread...
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Comments

  • dag_on_a_bike
    dag_on_a_bike Posts: 581
    Not had one personally but have been looking into it, especially after redesigning my clavicle.

    Found this which might be useful

    http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=4&UTN=118013&V=8&SP=
    There's no such thing as too old.
  • flanners1
    flanners1 Posts: 916
    I would be interested to see if anyone who has had a bikefit session could compare that with the advice and fit calculator on competitive cyclist.com? Just to see the similarities etc
    Colnago C60 SRAM eTap, Colnago C40, Milani 107E, BMC Pro Machine, Trek Madone, Viner Gladius,
    Bizango 29er
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    Flanners1 wrote:
    I would be interested to see if anyone who has had a bikefit session could compare that with the advice and fit calculator on competitive cyclist.com? Just to see the similarities etc

    I had a fit done at Epic Cycles - cost £50 for a two hour session refundable if I buy a bike/frame from them in future. The results were miles away from what was recommended on competitivecyclist.com and made a big difference to my cycling
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Had a Bio Racer fit done a few years back now, it was more or less what I was riding anyway. But I find it useful to have something to refer back to when setting up a bike. Also maybe this is something you should have done before buying the S2?

    And make sure you book it with Spesh before you go, a friend of mine tried to get one done and they refused as it hadn't been booked in advance.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    Had a Bio Racer fit done a few years back now, it was more or less what I was riding anyway. But I find it useful to have something to refer back to when setting up a bike. Also maybe this is something you should have done before buying the S2?

    And make sure you book it with Spesh before you go, a friend of mine tried to get one done and they refused as it hadn't been booked in advance.

    As I said, it's the cleats/foot issue that I'm most interested in, fit wise it's absolutely poifick.

    I will book in advance.
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    Nap,

    I've read that mostly it depends on the skill of the fitter i.e. which particular system (such as BG Fit) is a bit like asking a doctor what brand of stethoscope they use. The only bad feedback I've heard about the BG fit sessions is the foot stuff - according to Steve Hogg (reputedly one of the world's best bike fitters) the BG inshoe wedge can cause more problems than they solve.

    I've heard good things about Paul Hewitt's bike fitting but I've not been. Steve Hogg is in Sydney but does work with people via video - if you want a link to his website let me know. I'm thinking of giving it a go in the next few months (before the summer) ..

    ScottieP
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    NapoleonD wrote:
    greasedscotsman wrote:
    Had a Bio Racer fit done a few years back now, it was more or less what I was riding anyway. But I find it useful to have something to refer back to when setting up a bike. Also maybe this is something you should have done before buying the S2?

    And make sure you book it with Spesh before you go, a friend of mine tried to get one done and they refused as it hadn't been booked in advance.

    As I said, it's the cleats/foot issue that I'm most interested in, fit wise it's absolutely poifick.

    I will book in advance.

    Hmm, I'm not so sure. Now I've never seen you on a bike, but looking at the photos of the S2 you've posted I reckon it's COMPLETELY the wrong size for you. I reckon your gonna need to sell it. What size was it again, a 58? Oh, that would fit me a treat, I'll give you £50 for the F+F :D
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    BG bike fit is ok......but after viewing the info about the guy in Leamington Spa...thats where I would go.....far more technical analysis
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Here you go... http://bikedynamics.co.uk/index.html
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Here you go... http://bikedynamics.co.uk/index.html
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Here you go... http://bikedynamics.co.uk/index.html
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Here you go... http://bikedynamics.co.uk/index.html
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Here you go... http://bikedynamics.co.uk/index.html
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Here you go... http://bikedynamics.co.uk/index.html
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Here you go... http://bikedynamics.co.uk/index.html
  • marin_maniac
    marin_maniac Posts: 513
    nicensleazy wrote:
    Here you go... http://bikedynamics.co.uk/index.html

    Is that bike dynamics by any chance.

    I'm contemplating the same as you NAP, and have seriously considered making the trek to this bloke, all the way from Kent.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    I had two independant bike fit's, but they didn't pick up on the leg length differences. But, they're not looking for that.
    I saw a podiatrist, who confirmed length difference, and how much it was. He also pointed out that one foot supinates, whilst the other pronates, and one arch had begun to collapse!
    I did my own measurements to find out where the difference was.
    Then after a bit of searching, I went here for the wedges and shims.
    My podiatrist has treated pro cyclists in the past, so is good for advice, and if needed he will help me further with set up, etc, all for a cost...
    I reckon that with the info I now have, and the option of camcorder use, I can sort it out myself. But, I know where to go if I can't :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • grahamg123
    grahamg123 Posts: 65
    +1 for being careful with the BG insoles - if you feel you need to go down the route of extra/different support in your shoes or anything else to do with feet, get to a podiatrist - it's what they're there for.
    "scalare come se al grembo degli dei" (apologies to any Italain speakers if the grammar/spelling is off)
  • Mccaria
    Mccaria Posts: 869
    I had the Specialized fit done, which was useful primarily in confirming everything was roughly in the right place. On the shoe side, whilst it helped with cleat position etc I was not totally comfortable with the insoles fitted and ultimately the best thing I did for my feet was to go and get insoles custom fitted ( I used Cyclefit in London). This made a real difference to the comfort of my shoes - apparenly as we get older our feet get flatter requiring more arch support.
  • Kentrider
    Kentrider Posts: 41
    I had the BG fit 6 months ago. The experience for me was overall positive-as I'm relatively new to the sport. I also used the opportunity to buy new shoes so the fitter did the test and then sold me shoes that best suited my needs. My set up only changed very slightly-but the new shoes and the position were fine for a 100 mile sportive that I did the next day (and the pain I was getting in my right kneee went away!). I agree that you have to trust the fitter-all they do is a course run by Specialised to get the tick in the box to do the tests-and for at least part of the test I felt he was reading from a manual-which I didn't mind too much being new to the game myself-but I'd imagine if I had some knowledge already would have made me wonder if I was getting value for money. The test is expensive (around £130) and lasted 3-4 hours-so I'd think carefully before going for it-and check out the shop in advance to see what experience the fitter has got.
  • floosy
    floosy Posts: 270
    I had one done about 7 months ago and to be honest.. it wasnt worth the 120quid it cost.

    If is a way of ensuring that the person fits a specialized bike... (thats my opinion btw)

    They test for flexibility.. it band can you touch toes etc.....

    then put bike on turbo, 5 min warm up then measure opening angles on torso and legs
    Result was 3mm raising of saddle height and 10mm shorter stem....
    (and im still not convinced about the stem change)

    IMO absolutely pointless if you have been riding a bike for a while...

    And I do intend to go to bikedynamics for a fitting session soon... as its a dynamic fitting session.


    Dave.
  • JohnnyAllez
    JohnnyAllez Posts: 785
    Without trying to blag any free information, (for the guys who have had a pro-fit session, whoever did it) where did these professional fitters have the cleats set to on your shoes? Do they use the knee-over-pedal-spindle methods that seems to be the norm/popular of did they have other theories to work from?
    Jens says "Shut up legs !! "

    Specialized S-Works SaxoBank SL4 Tarmac Di2
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    JohnnyAllez wrote:
    Without trying to blag any free information, (for the guys who have had a pro-fit session, whoever did it) where did these professional fitters have the cleats set to on your shoes? Do they use the knee-over-pedal-spindle methods that seems to be the norm/popular of did they have other theories to work from?

    Knee over pedal axle is not affectected by cleat position. That is affected by saddle 'for/aft'.
    Regarding cleats, mine are set so that the ball of my big toe is roughly 7mm in front of the pedal axle.

    Does that help?
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • JohnnyAllez
    JohnnyAllez Posts: 785
    Just watched the video on the previous posters link (5 links !) about the Dynamic fit fella. Good info on there, and I see that you are correct in saying that the cleat position doesn`t affect the KOPS thing.

    I`ve got my cleats set same as you mention. Seemed better as soon as I did it.
    Jens says "Shut up legs !! "

    Specialized S-Works SaxoBank SL4 Tarmac Di2
  • bobbymeister
    bobbymeister Posts: 186
    Napd, if you're in Cheshire and looking for a bike fit, I can personally recommend Adrian Timmis down in Staffordshire.
    I went to see him last year to try and sort out a long term knee problem and was pretty impressed.
    He's very 'real world' and uses his experience and knowledge rather than just punching some numbers into a PC.
    It's good value too, I think he's charging about £100 at the moment including a pair of the Sidas custom insoles, which are brilliant even if you don't have any other changes made.
    You can google him at Cadence Sport.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    bobbymeister wrote:
    Napd, if you're in Cheshire and looking for a bike fit, I can personally recommend Adrian Timmis down in Staffordshire.
    I went to see him last year to try and sort out a long term knee problem and was pretty impressed.
    He's very 'real world' and uses his experience and knowledge rather than just punching some numbers into a PC.
    It's good value too, I think he's charging about £100 at the moment including a pair of the Sidas custom insoles, which are brilliant even if you don't have any other changes made.
    You can google him at Cadence Sport.

    Ta!

    This looks like the winner...
  • bobbymeister
    bobbymeister Posts: 186
    Glad to be of assistance. Just found Adrian's business card hidden in the pile of rubbish on my desk :-)
    His mobile is 07501 465253.
  • Kneesaway
    Kneesaway Posts: 56
    + for BikeDynamics. I went there early last year with knee pain and it has been fine ever since. Mike, the chap who runs it put a mark on the bony bits at the end of my 3 biggest metetarsels and set the cleats a couple of mm behind an average of all 3. This sounds close to the 7mm behind the big toe. The saddle needed to go up a fair bit and it all felt intantly better. Well worth it.

    Neil
  • stonehouse
    stonehouse Posts: 222
    Give the "Bike Whisperer" a try, he does a very comprehensive fit based on his years of experience. He only charges £95 and that includes any re-visits for adjustments. He also explains EVERYTHING that he does and why. I'd walk out in discust if I saw someone reading a manual whilst doing a bike fit, IMHO that's shameful!
    www.ciclobyron.com
  • tomsdad
    tomsdad Posts: 221
    Knee over pedal axle is not affectected by cleat position. That is affected by saddle 'for/aft'.
    Regarding cleats, mine are set so that the ball of my big toe is roughly 7mm in front of the pedal axle.

    Does that help?[/quote]
    how and where do you get the measurement, 7mm in front of the pedal axle?

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