Fitting/positioning

dhope
dhope Posts: 6,699
edited April 2011 in Commuting chat
New bike, my position on it is lousy (or it's a cunningly disguised and horribly overpriced BSO) as I feel like I'm putting in a lot of effort to go nowhere fast.

This seems like a decent read
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

Any other suggestions? (I've not looked up Sheldon yet, will be sure to as well)
Rose Xeon CW Disc
CAAD12 Disc
Condor Tempo

Comments

  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    Bike Whisperer or similar bods.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    edited April 2011
    Are you body aware?

    I'm not. People ask questions like 'Do you feel any tesnion in your back whilst riding?' and my generaly response wou'd be 'I've got no idea, I'm generally concentrating on something else.'

    As a result I'm a bit shit when it comes to setting up my own position and not fantastically helpful when someone else is doing it for me. If you aren't very body aware and can't tell the difference made by raising your saddle 5mm then get a pro to help you.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    I've booked a fit with Dales for that reason. Hopefully it'll help my comfort on long rides as knowing I'll end up with an aching back/neck is putting me off.

    Fortunatly the fit isn't until the 27th which gives me 2 weeks to get the bike back in working condition :roll:
    Whippet
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Cafewanda wrote:
    Bike Whisperer or similar bods.

    Good advise right there ^

    I went to the BW and can say it was money very well spent, no weird pains since, I was also pleased to note that my own set up hadn't been that far off the money, apart from my saddle and cleats.

    Now when it comes to MTB set up I have no idea :? I use the roadie principle and set the saddle height / position as I would normally, then at the first bit of proper off road it WHACK! right in the family jewels :shock: my guess would be that's why most MTB have QR seat posts, that or they like riding with their knees above their heads.

    position fettling = hours of fun ... and pain
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • soundninjauk
    soundninjauk Posts: 333
    itboffin wrote:
    Now when it comes to MTB set up I have no idea :? I use the roadie principle and set the saddle height / position as I would normally, then at the first bit of proper off road it WHACK! right in the family jewels :shock: my guess would be that's why most MTB have QR seat posts, that or they like riding with their knees above their heads.

    The rule I stick to is saddle at 'normal' roadie type height for climbing/flat, and then stick it down for anything really bumpy or downhill.
    FCN - 10
    Cannondale Bad Boy Solo with baggies.
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Get the bike whispered and then you can copy the position on all of your fleet.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    EKE_38BPM wrote:
    Get the bike whispered and then you can copy the position on all of your fleet.

    My fleet is a geared carbon roadie, a touring type and a fixed with a more relaxed geometry.
    Would 1 fitting suffice? Or get fitted on the road bike and I'll get enough of a clue to sort out the others despite the different shaped frames/positions?
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
    CAAD12 Disc
    Condor Tempo
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Dunno.
    Tell the whisperer and I guess they can advise, but I would guess some of the major things like saddle height would stay the same.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • Wrath Rob
    Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
    Off to Bike Whisperer on Tuesday. Will report back with my findings!
    FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.
  • jzed
    jzed Posts: 2,926
    Wrath Rob wrote:
    Off to Bike Whisperer on Tuesday. Will report back with my findings!

    How easy was it to get a booking - think I need to sort my position out
  • tptvmbircn
    tptvmbircn Posts: 782
    well i'm converting to 29er but going to keep a 26er as a backup, was thinking about this as i get a pain in my right foot arch a lot and wanted to ask on here actually but forgot to post it. the question is is there anywhere in the north east region really up north "like" to see.
  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    dhope wrote:
    New bike, my position on it is lousy (or it's a cunningly disguised and horribly overpriced BSO) as I feel like I'm putting in a lot of effort to go nowhere fast.

    This seems like a decent read
    http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

    Any other suggestions? (I've not looked up Sheldon yet, will be sure to as well)

    http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2011/03/0 ... -fit-tips/ <==my blog article

    http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/the ... e-position <==on core strength

    http://www.bikefitting.com <==another PoV
    Audaxing Blog - Long Distance Cycling
    follow on twitter-c.png
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    Cafewanda wrote:
    Bike Whisperer or similar bods.

    +1 on BW, if you're fairly local to Ealing.
  • Wrath Rob
    Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
    JZed wrote:
    How easy was it to get a booking - think I need to sort my position out
    Easy, if you're prepared to wait for 2-3 weeks and can do mid-week. If you want a wekeend its more like 6
    FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    sampras38 wrote:
    Cafewanda wrote:
    Bike Whisperer or similar bods.

    +1 on BW, if you're fairly local to Ealing.

    ............ or you don't mind travelling across London like I do :wink:
  • clarkey cat
    clarkey cat Posts: 3,641
    I'd suggest you'd have a pretty different fit between a touring bike and a racing bike.
    Dolan Mythos
  • londonlivvy
    londonlivvy Posts: 644
    JZed wrote:
    Wrath Rob wrote:
    Off to Bike Whisperer on Tuesday. Will report back with my findings!

    How easy was it to get a booking - think I need to sort my position out

    I was looking for a Saturday, and contacted the Bike Whisperer on the 25th March and the first available Saturday was the 14th May, which didn't work for me as my knees were sore and I needed a solution quicker than that.

    I went to the Specialised Concept store in Kingston for a BG fit (who fitted me in on the 26th!!) and found it absolutely fantastic. My knees have stopped complaining and I did a 90 mile ride without an ouch. They even offer a follow up visit a few weeks later to check in how things are going.
    http://minxcompendium.blogspot.com/
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    londonlivvy wrote:
    JZed wrote:
    Wrath Rob wrote:
    Off to Bike Whisperer on Tuesday. Will report back with my findings!

    How easy was it to get a booking - think I need to sort my position out

    I was looking for a Saturday, and contacted the Bike Whisperer on the 25th March and the first available Saturday was the 14th May, which didn't work for me as my knees were sore and I needed a solution quicker than that.

    I went to the Specialised Concept store in Kingston for a BG fit (who fitted me in on the 26th!!) and found it absolutely fantastic. My knees have stopped complaining and I did a 90 mile ride without an ouch. They even offer a follow up visit a few weeks later to check in how things are going.

    Unfortunately Bike Whisperer are a victim of their own success, or rather unfortunately for the customer. Bloody good though. They tend to do 2 fittings per day and weekends are booked up solid for weeks. Incredibly thorough though and lovely people too.
  • jzed
    jzed Posts: 2,926
    londonlivvy wrote:
    I went to the Specialised Concept store in Kingston for a BG fit (who fitted me in on the 26th!!) and found it absolutely fantastic. My knees have stopped complaining and I did a 90 mile ride without an ouch. They even offer a follow up visit a few weeks later to check in how things are going.

    Interesting will try this - starting to get a few niggles from my setup and can't get it right.

    You don't mind me asking how much they charge?
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    JZed wrote:
    londonlivvy wrote:
    I went to the Specialised Concept store in Kingston for a BG fit (who fitted me in on the 26th!!) and found it absolutely fantastic. My knees have stopped complaining and I did a 90 mile ride without an ouch. They even offer a follow up visit a few weeks later to check in how things are going.

    Interesting will try this - starting to get a few niggles from my setup and can't get it right.

    You don't mind me asking how much they charge?

    If it's the same as Sigma (who run the Concept Store) then it's £120, but that includes any follow up visits.

    I'm trying to organise a follow-up at the moment, but it's proving difficult.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • jzed
    jzed Posts: 2,926
    Asprilla wrote:
    JZed wrote:
    londonlivvy wrote:
    I went to the Specialised Concept store in Kingston for a BG fit (who fitted me in on the 26th!!) and found it absolutely fantastic. My knees have stopped complaining and I did a 90 mile ride without an ouch. They even offer a follow up visit a few weeks later to check in how things are going.

    Interesting will try this - starting to get a few niggles from my setup and can't get it right.

    You don't mind me asking how much they charge?

    If it's the same as Sigma (who run the Concept Store) then it's £120, but that includes any follow up visits.

    I'm trying to organise a follow-up at the moment, but it's proving difficult.

    I'm sold - wonder whether I can use by KW discount.
  • londonlivvy
    londonlivvy Posts: 644
    I think it was £140 but I can't remember the exact amount because I also paid for insoles and compact handlebars (that they fitted for me, no labour charge, whilst I ate a sarnie). And it wasn't a hard sell on the handlebars btw - I knew I needed them but fitting them is out of my skill range and I just hadn't got round to going to a bike shop and getting it sorted. They sorted it for me. Hurrah.

    Definitely value for money as far as I'm concerned. I'd book in your follow up while you're there for the first visit and then you're all set.
    http://minxcompendium.blogspot.com/
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Yeah, I also got a new stem out of the deal and some coloured insole thingies.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    I've been quoted £120 for the BG fit I'll be getting done.
    Whippet
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Got my follow-up organised.

    Am I the only person who gets the impression that you are inconveniencing Sigma whenever you go in there or ring them up?
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    You probably (always) call/stop by when they are doing something really, really important. Please stop.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Cafewanda wrote:
    You probably (always) call/stop by when they are doing something really, really important. Please stop.

    After leaving some messages and not getting called back I finally managed speak to the guy I wanted.

    I told him who I was and what I wanted and he responed by saying 'It's not going to take very long, is it?' Like I hadn't paid for the service in the first place. I might see if I can book myself in at ProFeet and get them to do a fitting and orthotics that I need.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • King Donut
    King Donut Posts: 498
    Asprilla wrote:
    Am I the only person who gets the impression that you are inconveniencing Sigma whenever you go in there or ring them up?

    I find Sigma a bit hit and miss, depending who you get to talk to.
    Their latest fitting left my saddle a bit high.
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    Asprilla wrote:
    Cafewanda wrote:
    You probably (always) call/stop by when they are doing something really, really important. Please stop.

    After leaving some messages and not getting called back I finally managed speak to the guy I wanted.

    I told him who I was and what I wanted and he responed by saying 'It's not going to take very long, is it?' Like I hadn't paid for the service in the first place. I might see if I can book myself in at ProFeet and get them to do a fitting and orthotics that I need.

    Nice to see staff go out of their way to make a customer feel valued :roll:. Hopefully ProFeet will be better.

Categories