bikefit experience

GD73
GD73 Posts: 29
edited March 2011 in Road beginners
i'd been suffering with a bit of inner knee pain since last summer.

i'd been dicking about with different saddles, cleat position but nothing really seemed to
make that much of difference.

i took the plunge and got a specialized bike fit done.

the results have been remarkable.

during the fit - i found out my saddle was 40mm to low.

my cleats were in the wrong position.

the position has taken a little bit of getting used too but, i can ride faster, and in greater
comfort.

Previously i'd suffered cramp especially in my quads - i'd always put it down to not drinking enough, lack of training - not eating etc but actually this turned out to be because my saddle was too low!

i went out for a 25miler at the weekend i felt tremendous, faster, stronger, climbing hills in gears that i would never have attempted - i felt as fresh as daisy (no cramp )

it's still early days, but the knee pain has gone.

it's not cheap (£120) and i dare say there will be folk on the site who will say they can get it done cheaper, or i was ripped off, but you know what sod them - it's been worth every penny.

bear in mind folks that it's only as effective as your fitter, and if you have an underlying medical condition then there is no guarantees your fit will fix the problem.

so the moral of the story is, if your suffering with your position/comfort on the bike or maybe your getting a new bike and your unsure of how to set it up - a good quality bike can increse your comfort and reduce your risk of injury.

i wish i'd done it years ago.

roll on the summer - lets hope it's good one!

Comments

  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    Where'd you get the fit done?
    Whippet
  • garysan
    garysan Posts: 63
    I can vouch for this service too. I had a fit done in Birmingham last Thursday and although my saddle height was perfect and fore/aft position was almost bang on they adjusted my cleat position, brought the saddle back a few mm and flipped my stem along with fitting shims into my shoes.

    Only been on a 29 miler since the fit but certainly did feel more comfortable and the height adjustment for the bars by flipping the stem has made getting onto the drops far more comfortable and I don't have to worry about my knees touching the drops when I'm honking up hills now :)

    Danny was the guy at Birmingham Spec Store and he did a great job of listening to my desires for what I wanted to achieve and then watching me on the bike to suggest adjustments that needed to be made.

    If you're in any doubt about the process, look up bgfit on YouTube and look at some of Team HTC riders and SaxoBank having their fit done. Jens Voight saying 'what I have been doing for the last ten years!' - sold it to me.
  • japsy
    japsy Posts: 78
    suzyb wrote:
    Where'd you get the fit done?

    Based on the OP's location, I'm guessing http://www.dalescycles.com/.

    I can't see any advertising on their website but I was across last year in the shop for a total of 4 hours as I was in between frame sizes and pretty much ended up getting a free Specialized BG Fit session.
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    japsy wrote:
    suzyb wrote:
    Where'd you get the fit done?

    Based on the OP's location, I'm guessing http://www.dalescycles.com/.

    I can't see any advertising on their website but I was across last year in the shop for a total of 4 hours as I was in between frame sizes and pretty much ended up getting a free Specialized BG Fit session.
    That's why I was wondering. Dales seems to have removed the advertising from their website so I wasn't sure if they still did the fit.
    Whippet
  • japsy
    japsy Posts: 78
    suzyb wrote:
    japsy wrote:
    suzyb wrote:
    Where'd you get the fit done?

    Based on the OP's location, I'm guessing http://www.dalescycles.com/.

    I can't see any advertising on their website but I was across last year in the shop for a total of 4 hours as I was in between frame sizes and pretty much ended up getting a free Specialized BG Fit session.
    That's why I was wondering. Dales seems to have removed the advertising from their website so I wasn't sure if they still did the fit.

    In the 'Contact Us' tab, they are still showing specific email addresses for BG fit inquiries.
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    I think contact us is the one page I never looked at :wink:
    Whippet
  • rc856
    rc856 Posts: 1,144
    I had it done at Dales last year.
    Like you, my saddle was raised a bit but I ended up putting it down a wee bit as it felt too
    much of a jump.
    I wasn't sure about getting my moneys worth but at least I had the peace of mind that my cleats were in the right position etc.


    And I see I'm just along the road from you in Glengarnock :D
    Are you in a club at all?

    If not..... http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/ :D
  • GD73
    GD73 Posts: 29
    suzyb;

    yup it was dales cycles glasgow.

    the fit takes about 3 hrs.

    dales have 2 qualified fitters in store

    you may need to book early (race season and spring coming on)

    the price excludes parts ie maybe a new stem or saddle etc

    remember if your bike is too big/small ( frame size ) they can't sort that
    or if you have underlying medical complaint - they will be quite open and honest
    and tell you this from the start.

    but i do recommend it if you can afford it.

    you also get a a4 bit of laminate with all your measurements so you can transfer
    the across incase you have winter bike (always handy to refer back to)


    rc856;

    no i ain't in a club
    not good enough, fast enough to be in one, nor do i have the time to atttend one!

    recreation/fun/sportive rider only..

    thanks for the offer, i'll check it out.

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