Organised a bike fit for next week

screebs

For a few months I have been thinking about getting a bike fit and have noticed s number of threads about it on here. I had decided to get one a few weeks ago but didn't want to change anything in advance of taking part in last weekend's EtapeCaledonia.

I have been suffering from lower back pain and have got to the point where I need to really figure out if it is as a result of my bike set up or if it is unrelated. I am largely ignorant of how my bike should be set up and just want the confidence and comfort from a professional set up.

I am using the TriCentre in Edinburgh, they seem to get a decent write up from anyone that has used them and they are reasonable (compared to may I have seen) at c£50 for a fit that will normally take c2/3 hours. Anyone used them?

rc856

Haven't used them myself but a fit is definitely worth getting, even to give you peace of mind that you've got the bike set up right.
I had one at Dales. Cost more but it was easier for me travel wise.

I've also been to a physio who does an initial bike assessment which is more or less the same. Even cheaper with the physio part included.
He's based in Burnside and East Kilbride.

screebs

RC856 wrote:

Haven't used them myself but a fit is definitely worth getting, even to give you peace of mind that you've got the bike set up right.
I had one at Dales. Cost more but it was easier for me travel wise.

I've also been to a physio who does an initial bike assessment which is more or less the same. Even cheaper with the physio part included.
He's based in Burnside and East Kilbride.

Wish I had known about that physio doing a bike assessment - I'm based in the Southside of Glasgow anyway. The physio isn't Brian Scott by any chance is it?

mrwibble

may i ask if you are a desk jockey? A bad back seems to the ailment for the VDU generation. Obviously this doesn't go well for any cyclist. My problem with my bike was the setback seat post, my saddle was too far back. Well done for doing something about your problems. Let us know how it goes...

screebs

mrwibble wrote:

may i ask if you are a desk jockey? A bad back seems to the ailment for the VDU generation. Obviously this doesn't go well for any cyclist. My problem with my bike was the setback seat post, my saddle was too far back. Well done for doing something about your problems. Let us know how it goes...

I am a desk Jockey, yes!

If it continues once my bike is set up, i'll be getting my work seat checked out. 8)

mrwibble

Check out Psoas exercises or stretches, this is probably the route cause of your back misery

suzyb

RC856 wrote:

Haven't used them myself but a fit is definitely worth getting, even to give you peace of mind that you've got the bike set up right.
I had one at Dales. Cost more but it was easier for me travel wise.

I also got a fit at Dales. Like you screebs I'm a desk jockey and know my back problems are down to that plus my back having to counteract too much weight pulling me down at the front.

But I wanted to get a bike fit just to try and make me as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.

Does seem to have helped as well as after the 26 miles I did on the etape and the previous weeks 28 I was only beginning to feel my back getting a bit stiff whereas before it would actually have been sore.

Garryboy

RC856 wrote:

Haven't used them myself but a fit is definitely worth getting, even to give you peace of mind that you've got the bike set up right.
I had one at Dales. Cost more but it was easier for me travel wise.

I've also been to a physio who does an initial bike assessment which is more or less the same. Even cheaper with the physio part included.
He's based in Burnside and East Kilbride.

I'm also interested to know who the physio is, can only imagine it is Brian Scott. Would be handy for me as I live nearby.

How much does the fit at Dales cost?

screebs

Got my bike fit this afternoon at the Tri Centre in Edinburgh - very enlightening experience for a relative ignoramus!

Took about 90 mins in total and the cost was £35 plus cost of any new parts. You get 2 drawings to take away detailing your ideal bike set up/geometry.

Turns out i have very long legs in comparison to my torso - to the extent that if i was being fitted for a new bike, it would probably be an XL size i'd need - mine is currently large. However, i have a relatively short torso - so my current position has me overstretching to reach the drops.

My saddle was moved up by about 3cm centimetres, saddle moved forward by 2cm (it appears I have been riding down the saddle to help with reaching the bars) - a new shorter stem (£30) was installed, not only bringing them closer but raising them a bit.

Had a short ride back to the car (about 3 miles) but the set up felt more comfortable, especially my reach. Looking forward to getting out for a long ride to see how it feels now.

Garryboy

Sounds good, have been thinking about using the Tri centre as I work in Edinburgh. Let us know how you get on.

overgeared

there are 3 competing priorities when it comes to position on the bike - comfort, aerodynamics, and power output. how you reach a balance between the 3 depends a lot on the kind of riding you do.

the thing about bike fitting services is that they tend to emphasise the comfort aspect, moreso if you complain about discomfort. they have an awful lot of scope to tweak peoples position in that direction in order to create the kind of quick fix they beleive the customer is paying for, and that kind of advice goes well with selling people shorter stems, bigger frames, new forks, etc.

sometimes though it is worth looking back to the bigger picture, eg would improved core strength solve the problem without sacrificng aerodynamics?..

DF33

^^^^^^ Wot he said.

Not aimed at the businesses on this thread.

But if you take your car to, say, Quickfit for an mot don't be surprised if it needs a quick fit type part to pass.

All about customer satisfaction and buying your way to happiness. If that's what the customer wants (and most do - a quick fix, credit card out) then fine.

After all who wants to pay for a bike fit / ski lesson and be told " your not as strong / fit as you need to be, do this regime for 2 months" rather than "you need to be slightly higher, buy this stem", "wow that feels great, Thanks".