Today I am mostly...

TMR

I'm going to Bespoke Cycles in London this afternoon for a Retul bike fit. I've looked at some videos on the net and it seems to use more technology than a standard fit. Apparently they attach sensors to you so they can determine what needs to be changed.

Has anyone used them before? If so, how did you get on?

bompington

The Mad Rapper wrote:

Apparently they attach sensors to you

To determine the location and thickness of your wallet?

cal_stewart

big believer in bike fitting, however do you really need sensors and computers, I don't think you can beat a old man in a flat cap and a tape measure.

keef66

If I was on Team GB I might benefit from such high-tech stuff to squeeze out that last mW or shave off half a second. Similarly if I was an unusual size / shape, or having to cope with chronic illness / injury / disability it might be worthwhile.

However, since I'm a fairly average and symmetrical bloke, I'm happy with the traditional fitting session that came with my purchase.

Suppose if I won the lottery I might do it out of curiosity. (I'd also be curious about how I'd won since I don't buy tickets)

TMR

bompington wrote:

To determine the location and thickness of your wallet?

The thickness of my head more like

It's the same price as a fit from the Bike Whisperer. I tried them both on the same day, as I've never had a fit before, but the Bike Whisperer was in South Africa on holiday so it was going to take longer to get an appointment.

TMR

Hmmm...just got back and have to say that I am a bit disappointed. This was my first bike fit on my first road bike, which I've had 2 weeks but not ridden because I've been waiting for the fit.

I've never ridden clipped in before, so I'd previously asked if he could fit my Speedplay cleats to my Sidi Ergo 2 Carbon Lites - cleats and shoes brand new. Upon arrival I handed them over and went to get changed. When I came back it was clear he wasn't sure how to fit the cleats. It took him at least 20 mins and he had to refer to the instructions a number of times. I'll be honest, that alone didn't fill me with confidence. Then I noticed another Speedplay Zero box had appeared and it seemed he was fitting cleats from a different box onto my shoes. When I mentioned it, he said he told me it was just for the fitting (but he left them on - they seem new as well but I have no idea why he didn't just use the ones I gave him).

There was no flexibility assessment, which I had understood to be part of the fit.

The fit itself went OK I think. The Retul technology seems pretty slick, although I have no point of reference. Numerous changes were made to various parts of the bike, the stem was swapped and the end result felt comfortable. I've been told to ride the bike for a few weeks and he'll be in touch. I paid for the stem, but he said he wanted to wait until I've tried the fit out before accepting payment for it.

During the fit he adjusted the tightness of the heel on my Sidis; to access the screw you need to remove a plastic clipped cover on each screw. He must have used a screwdriver because they are now both scratched. He didn't replace one of the covers, I had to pick it up from the table myself at the end.

The down tube appears to have been scratched just under the seat post collar while he's been adjusting the height of the saddle. The frame was immaculate when I left the house, so I'm disappointed by that.

Barry was nice enough, we had a good chat during the fit, but those issues described above have left a bad taste in my mouth.

I can't say with any certainty that I'd use them again.

Monty Dog

Sounds as though someone who's been on the 'training course' but actually has little real-world experience to draw-on and just relies on a computer programme and the law of averages to come up with an answer. Bike fit is one of those areas where experience and knowledge counts for a lot, in particular having 'fitted' a wide variety of people, not just seen some Powerpoint and run some software. I also know an elite-level rider who was advised by a senior GB coach to raise their saddle and experienced no-end of niggles and injuries.