Bike Fit - Adrian Timmis or Paul Hewitt?

I want to get a bike fit in relation to my existing bike and also get all the measurements I need to help me buy my new bike (and then set it up properly). I have spoken to Cadence and Hewitt Cycles and Cadence will charge £130 and Hewitt £50. Cadence will spend about 3 hours and will provide insoles whereas the Hewitt fit is about an hour and there are no insoles. From what I can gather both will provide me with a set of measurements that I can then use to get a new bike (from Rose Bikes in Germany) and when the bike comes I can then use those measurements to adjust the seat post etc.
As part of their fit Cadence will deal with things like flexibility and cleat position.
Neither of the above are local though I would visit whichever one I choose when I'm in Manchester so Hewitt would be about 40 mins away whereas Cadence would be about 1 hour 45 mins away.
I've read loads of good reports about both though I've also read some reports from people who didn't like the Hewitt fitting (Haven't read any adverse reports about Cadence).
My question is whether it's worth spending the extra time and money to go to Cadence and whether the service provided by Hewitt is sufficient?
Cheers
As part of their fit Cadence will deal with things like flexibility and cleat position.
Neither of the above are local though I would visit whichever one I choose when I'm in Manchester so Hewitt would be about 40 mins away whereas Cadence would be about 1 hour 45 mins away.
I've read loads of good reports about both though I've also read some reports from people who didn't like the Hewitt fitting (Haven't read any adverse reports about Cadence).
My question is whether it's worth spending the extra time and money to go to Cadence and whether the service provided by Hewitt is sufficient?
Cheers
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Posts
1. I live in Burton, 5 minutes from him.
2. I have had an achilles tendon and 2 slipped discs surgically repaired, the Sidas insoles are a must for me.
I have just finished the build on my new bike for this season and want to make sure bio-mechanically i am set up.
Hope it helps.
Chas
I was unaware I had a leg length discrepancy and once this was identified and sorted by him it was fantastic.
Plus you get to spend 3 hours chatting with a former top level pro...
Strava - Alex Taylor (sportstest.co.uk)
ABCC Cycling Coach
Have you recieved your questionare to fill in from Cadence sport?
I`m booked in the following day 8)
Great service, a really nice bloke and the insoles are brilliant!
For 2 bikes and insoles it was £150. I don't think its bad at all when you can spend that on a component for a bike
Money well spent IMO
No only received the confirmation of booking, but I only booked this morning.
I know that Adrian is highly thought of and as you say NapD being able to talk to a former pro (especially someone who I gather rode with Fignon) isn't to be sniffed at!
Adrian does seem to provide a lot more than Hewitt Cycles hence the extra cost. I suppose my question is whether the extra's are necessary. Judging from those who have been to him (and who are far better riders than me) it seems the extra's are worth it.
Strava - Alex Taylor (sportstest.co.uk)
ABCC Cycling Coach
but where are the idiots in daft outfits running alongside him...?
Further up the hill waiting for him, holding a bike fitting booking sheet...
Strava - Alex Taylor (sportstest.co.uk)
ABCC Cycling Coach
I had my 3 bikes set up as comfortable, or so I thought. As soon as I stood bare feet in
front of him, and when I eventually went on my bike on the turbo, he pointed out what
he thought was wrong (saddle too high, too far stretched out, very low arches, well I
knew the last one, which was corrected by the use of insoles and wedges). All sorted now.
He did tell me that he was considering riding the Marmotte this year.
I have commented on this before so I will summarise
Hewitt - Wasted £50 to be borderline ignored whilst recieveing a fit that when I said at the time it did not feel right was told that if I knew what felt right why was I there! Left with the belief that I had the wrong size bike and struggled with position for a further 10 months. I will admit I did not help myself here because 1) I didn't change the position as lets face it I had paid for it & 2) The experience was so poor I did not really feel like contacting Hewitt's again to discuss the issues (Paul wasn't interested in my feedback in the shop so why would I believe he would be interested later). Fortunatelly I did not waste money on a new frame/bike or a 150mm length stem to make my current frame fit!
Cadence Sport - 300 mile round trip for the best value money I have spent on cycling. Corrected the significant issues from the Hewitt fit and I immediatelly felt great on the bike. It transformed be from a slow uncomfortable rider to a marginally faster but significantly more comfortable rider. I already knew of the benefits of Conformable insoles as I have them in my ski boots, walking boots and golf shoes but having them in the price of the complete fit is almost giving them away when you could easily justify purchasing insoles alone. When I developed a niggle after changing saddles I did another 300 mile round trip for Adrian to sort a 6 month issue out in 10mins flat and only charged me a tenner despite the actual price for a saddle fit being much more. Top bloke, top service and great results.
Note: WHEN you go to Cadence Sport remember to put a Trainer or old tire on as you will spend quite a while on the turbo!
but
Hearing these tales of bike fit awsomeness from cadence I freeking want one now! Birthday present maybe . . hmmmm
I do feel like one of my legs is longer than the other! in fact one of my older saddles looks a bit lopsided, like I've been reaching down further with one leg.
Alternatives are the half priced Retul fits being offered at Swift Cycles, a cool new shop near Liverpool Street in central London (£100 for one bike and £150 for two). They'll be a doddle to get to with both bikes but don't do custom insoles. While Retul looks great I'm also a bit dubious about a "system" compared to the years of experience that someone like Adrian would have.
The other choice is Adam White here: http://www.awsportsperformance.com/page11.htm
Reading isn't too bad to get to and I could con my wife to bring my other bike. Again, no footbeds but then he does seem good value so I could afford to get some at a later date elsewhere if needed.
I don't have any particular problems on the bike but am conning myself I'll double my power and be able to ride for 24 hours non-stop after a fitting....
Thanks for any advice.
Timmis knows his stuff and has the experience as well. With bike fits, experience is worth far more than relying solely on a basic shop fitting jog. Worth the trip if you are really in need of a proper fitting.
I've never heard of Adam White, he seems a bit science heavy and light in experience. Another option in Berkshire is www.personalbestcycling.co.uk, I know people who have been fitted by that guy and they seem happy.
Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
Just go to Scherrit @ http://www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk/
He's in Ealing and is very good. Remember when getting a fitting there are no guarantees that the first visit will be 100% successful so budget to travel back a second or even third time to iron out any niggles.
Scherrit has trained with fitting guru Steve Hogg and I really couldn't recommend him highly enough. Sorted both me and the missus with beautifully fitting bikes. Call them for a chat about what they do and I'm sure you'll be impressed.
Best money I ever spent on my bike.
http://pedalprecision.com/bike_fitting_services/
Anybody got any views on them ?
<edit - oops you're right NapD, corrected it>
That's Pedal Precision at the velodrome, Cadence Sport is Adrian Timmis.
Heard a few people say they were happy with the results although you don't get the footbeds.
Strava - Alex Taylor (sportstest.co.uk)
ABCC Cycling Coach
A bit steeper than some of the options mentioned above, but that's west London innit I suppose ...
http://www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk/servi ... e-fitting/
It will be the first time I have run Look pedals ever with the new bike and I'm sure Mr Timmis will set them up perfect
How did the bike fit go? Looking at having mine fitted by him.
http://www.amateuretape.com/bike-fit/
https://www.h3otriathlon.com