Professiona Bike Fitting in the North East - Newcastle area?
bus_ter
Posts: 337
I've been riding for a few years now and I've never had a 'proper' bike fit. I've made constant tweaks and component changes over time, and when I bought my last bike I spent a lot of time researching fit including using the Competitive Cyclist fit Calculator to choose a frame and I refer a lot to Steve Hoggs online information when it comes to fitting cleats and making adjustments.
Last year I rode several 100+ mile sportives in 'acceptable' comfort. However I still have a few niggles that I would like to iron out if possible. I'm already signed up for some 300+ mile events this year and I think these niggles could become problems if I don't sort them out.
Now I know most LBS's offer some kind of bike fit service, however if they're just going to sit me on a bike for 5 minutes, drop a plum line from my knee cap, tilt my saddle and send me on my way then it's going to be a waste of time and money. I feel I'm way past that level of bike fit. I want somewhere that can, for example, correctly diagnose and apply cleat wedges and/or shims. Steve Hogg's believes 2/3s of riders benefit from these. Despite all the reading I've done I don't believe I can correctly apply these myself, but I believe it may be the solution to one of my knee 'niggles'. Also I want somewhere that will listen as I explain the last 3 years worth of fit adjustments I've made and the results (and problems) they've brought about. Somewhere with fancy gear that will analyse my pedal stroke to improve efficiency would be a benefit too.
Basically, to cut a long story short I'm after a professional bike fitting service in the North East that's above your typical LBS 'bought your first road bike fit'. There seems to be several very good places down south, especially around London, but not so much up north. I'm a little hesitant to travel as far as London for a bike fit unless I really thought it would be the only solution.
My research has brought forward 3 places in the North that might be suitable.
1) Bike Science have a studio in Darlington. They use the RETUL motion tracking system which is a very hi-tec computer approach to fitting. However they don't appear to make much consideration towards aspects like cleat wedging/shimming etc. I could be wrong but it seems to be all about the RETUL system.
2) Cycling Dynamics in Newcastle. They seem to be very medical/physio based in their approach. All their bike fit seems to be based around the foot. The focus seems to be all about gait and foot Orthotics and insoles etc. They're not a bike shop by any means and seem to put less importance on bike components.
3) Bicycle Repairman in Prudhoe. On the surface this appears to be just a regular LBS with a turbo in the corner of the room and some basic tools for bike fitting. However I see regular mentions of how good this place is, and I'm a firm believer that knowledge and experience can out weigh the fancy technology.
Can anyone strongly recommend any of these 3 places for a professional bike fit or suggest any other options?
Last year I rode several 100+ mile sportives in 'acceptable' comfort. However I still have a few niggles that I would like to iron out if possible. I'm already signed up for some 300+ mile events this year and I think these niggles could become problems if I don't sort them out.
Now I know most LBS's offer some kind of bike fit service, however if they're just going to sit me on a bike for 5 minutes, drop a plum line from my knee cap, tilt my saddle and send me on my way then it's going to be a waste of time and money. I feel I'm way past that level of bike fit. I want somewhere that can, for example, correctly diagnose and apply cleat wedges and/or shims. Steve Hogg's believes 2/3s of riders benefit from these. Despite all the reading I've done I don't believe I can correctly apply these myself, but I believe it may be the solution to one of my knee 'niggles'. Also I want somewhere that will listen as I explain the last 3 years worth of fit adjustments I've made and the results (and problems) they've brought about. Somewhere with fancy gear that will analyse my pedal stroke to improve efficiency would be a benefit too.
Basically, to cut a long story short I'm after a professional bike fitting service in the North East that's above your typical LBS 'bought your first road bike fit'. There seems to be several very good places down south, especially around London, but not so much up north. I'm a little hesitant to travel as far as London for a bike fit unless I really thought it would be the only solution.
My research has brought forward 3 places in the North that might be suitable.
1) Bike Science have a studio in Darlington. They use the RETUL motion tracking system which is a very hi-tec computer approach to fitting. However they don't appear to make much consideration towards aspects like cleat wedging/shimming etc. I could be wrong but it seems to be all about the RETUL system.
2) Cycling Dynamics in Newcastle. They seem to be very medical/physio based in their approach. All their bike fit seems to be based around the foot. The focus seems to be all about gait and foot Orthotics and insoles etc. They're not a bike shop by any means and seem to put less importance on bike components.
3) Bicycle Repairman in Prudhoe. On the surface this appears to be just a regular LBS with a turbo in the corner of the room and some basic tools for bike fitting. However I see regular mentions of how good this place is, and I'm a firm believer that knowledge and experience can out weigh the fancy technology.
Can anyone strongly recommend any of these 3 places for a professional bike fit or suggest any other options?
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