Bike Fitting - What should a newbie except / accept?

wibbles

Hi folks,

I have had a MTB that I use to commute and I am about to my first road bike (since teenage years),

The bikes I have narrowed down to (Giant Defy & Bianchi Via Nirone) are locally only available from seperate LBS outlets.

Question is that the method of bike fitting varies widely from what ever LBS I visit.

One shop (LBS1) measures hip bone, shoulder joint, etc inputs into a PC program and come up with specific measurements from seat to steam, optimum crank length, etc. They could also tell me that I have more of my 6 foot in my legs than my torso (explains why I stretch to reach handlebars on my large MTB frame).

The other LBS2 had an assistant that happened to be around my height (about an inch shorter). He also had a Bianchi so he said that he had a 57cm frame so I should try that. He spent some time getting the sandle height right. but that was it! No mention of saddle to stem, said that you can't use spacers on the Bianchi (is that right?), you will get used to the position in time.

Ironically the bike with the "applicance of science" fit, felt fine on the rollers, but when I took it on the road was not as "nippy" to handle as the smaller Giant frame I had tried elsewhere (Giant L vs M/L).

The "rule of thumb", no real fitting apart from saddle height bike, actually felt more comfortable (10 mins in a car park) and very nimble (Bianchi 57cm). Funny enough another LBS3 spec'd me for a Giant M/L size (all they had in stock at the time) and that felt like the Bianchi 57cm frame.

I have the feeling that if the LBS2 had used the specific measurements and program of LBS1 they would have spec'd a 59mm Bianchi (like the Giant L) and again it would have felt a little combersome.

So what is best? Detailed fitting programs (LBS1), detailed measurement of a old pro (Epic?), or old school saddle height only (LBS2/3)? What method do Epic Cycles use (most popular LBS mentioned on BR)?

I felt disappointed by the approach of LBS2 and feel that the guy just fluked it and happened on the right frame because he was around my height. If I was 5'7 or 6'3 he may have struggled with this saddle / pedal only approach.

What is the combined wisdom here and what is your expectation of what "Bike Fitting" should mean for a new cyclist that hasn't got a clue. What should I expect?

Also I am worried that a 57cm / M/L may be nice and whippy for a ten minute spin but when I build up to 2 and 3 hour rides I may wonder about the computer program saying that I needed a 59cm / L?

Apologies for the number of questions. However replies doesn't have to comment on them all, just take your pick!

Cheers

Wibbles

giant_man

A bike fitting ensures the bike fits you and not the other way around. Getting the right size is imperative for comfort and enjoyment of the bike. It's not just Epic cycles who do a fitting mate, Paul Hewitt specialises in fitting and always does, he is very thorough, and a good fit is far more important than what bike you choose ... I wouldn't personally go by what a computer programme says.

As far as bike handling goes, every bike feels different, irrespective of what it's made of. The shops you have been to don't sound as if they know what they're doing imo. Lots of dealers claim to know how to fit someone for a bike but only a few actually get it right.

hopper1

Epic Cycles measure you and then apply those measurements to a bike. They put the bike in a turbo and observe you cycling, stopping you to make adjustments. They are very experienced staff, and I was very impressed when they fitted me.
Call them and discuss your needs. They do stock Bianchi.
Once they have fitted you, they send you out for a test ride on the local roads for +/-30 mins. While you are out, they will prepare another bike for you to demo on your return.
Epic are popular for a reason.

Slow Downcp

hopper1 wrote:

Epic Cycles measure you and then apply those measurements to a bike. They put the bike in a turbo and observe you cycling, stopping you to make adjustments. They are very experienced staff, and I was very impressed when they fitted me.
Call them and discuss your needs. They do stock Bianchi.
Once they have fitted you, they send you out for a test ride on the local roads for +/-30 mins. While you are out, they will prepare another bike for you to demo on your return.
Epic are popular for a reason.

+1.

Took my existing bike into Epic for a fit session, on and off the turbo to make numerous adjustments based on how it looked to them and how it felt to me. A big improvement on my position, despite cycling for 20 years and thinking I had a good position.

Bugly

183 cm and 59cm frames seems wrong, unless you have legs like a spider and very long arms.

A lot of bike shops are trying to shift gear at the moment. I went to three bikes shops today with my mate. She is about 177 cm - each bike shop tried selling her - without measuring her up, 3 different bike sizes - 50cm Giant, 56 cm Merida and a 54 cm Trek. Why? cause they were on the floor and old stock to shift.

and107

I had the measurements done by my lbs which worked out that i was long in the legs and arms but short in the body like you they put the measurments in to a computer which ended with me needing a longer reach and also found out i was a lot taller than i thought which turned out my previous bike which i bought from halfords was too small and was causing some serious pain on the bike now much happier since the bike fit.

markshaw77

hopper1 wrote:

Epic Cycles measure you and then apply those measurements to a bike. They put the bike in a turbo and observe you cycling, stopping you to make adjustments. They are very experienced staff, and I was very impressed when they fitted me.
Call them and discuss your needs. They do stock Bianchi.
Once they have fitted you, they send you out for a test ride on the local roads for +/-30 mins. While you are out, they will prepare another bike for you to demo on your return.
Epic are popular for a reason.

+2

Epic were awesome for me - I spent most of an afternoon down there trialling bikes and making adjustments before I committed to buying anything. They had no issues about test riding in the rain, made countless adjustments based on my feedback and have been great over the phone for a bit of after-sales care too! I couldn;t recommend them highly enough - my mate was so impressed, he is going back with his bike to pay for £50 fit and he is not known for parting with his money easily

The principal measurement for them to get the right frame size was TopTube length - the rest was then a step-by-step process of getting saddle height and seatback positioned correctly, before adjusting bar reach and height with different spacers/stems and then final tweaks based on test ride feedback. I fell right between frame sizes, but the fit process was simply excellent and I ended up walking away with a different bike than I went in for, but the perfect fit for me!!

To the OP - I had had a computer-designed version of measurements done previously, but the Epic fit was substantially different, as it is much more about what feels comfortable rather than what is "technically" right.

I would definitely look for someone offering more than just a guide baded on height/inside-leg and someone who is willing to listen to you more than a computer, but that is just my 2 cents.

hopper1

As an aside to my earlier post, I was so impressed by the 'word of mouth' praise for Epic Cycles, that I did a 420 mile round trip.
Even though I know my size, I'd probably still buy from them again.

wibbles

Thanks for the thougts so far

Cheers

Wibbles

strodey

One shop (LBS1) measures hip bone, shoulder joint, etc inputs into a PC program and come up with specific measurements from seat to steam, optimum crank length, etc. They could also tell me that I have more of my 6 foot in my legs than my torso (explains why I stretch to reach handlebars on my large MTB frame).

Thats how my body is! means the defy fits me perfect and the Bianchi would be way off, i originally went in wanting and thinking i was going to buy a completley different bike but glad i got fitted.


I'd fit either Giant M/L or the L according to the bike fitting but would have to change the saddle and stem accordingly, went for the M/L size as it meant a more aggressive riding position.
Used to get knee problems on other bikes after being fitted i dont get any and can for for miles with no problems at all.