Anyone had a Level 1 BikeScience fit at Velosport in Putney?

prhymeate

I've had some pains in my left hand for a while after riding and have always felt that my frame was a bit too large. I have never had a bike fit before so am considering getting one. I've only been riding a road bike for the last 10 months and have a Triban 3, so part of me feels that I'm better saving the money until I buy a new bike. However, seeing as the Level 1 BikeScience fit includes a setup of your current bike and a measurement report to help me figure out the best bike in the future, I think it could be worth it.

So, has anyone had gone to Velosport in Putney and had a Level 1 fit? What are your thoughts?

£89.99 for 75mins
The level 1 bike fit option uses traditional static bike fit measurements while the rider is stationary on the bike. An Excellent choice for people in the process of selecting a new bike and needing to know what kind of geometry is going to suit them best, or riders who need general guidance of a suitable set-up for their existing bike. The fitting jig used allows any geometry to be replicated or the fit can be performed on your own bike. The process ends with the mechanical set-up of your current bike and the production of a PDF report of the final set-up geometry.

il_principe

Go to the cyclefit franchise at Pearson down the road. The chaps at cyclefit do the fitting for RSLT and really know their stuff.

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/content/68/CycleFit/

prhymeate

Thanks, I'll have a read up on that one. It's tough to face spending £105 on their most basic fit when I think that my bike only cost £300. I know everyone raves about bike fits though.

rosavillewill

Velosport is my LBS and are pretty good but have no experience of their bike fits. Retul and cycle fit seem to have a different philosophy about bike fitting so i would go and have a chat with both and see what feels right for you and go with that.

Will
Remember that you can take those measurements onto your next bike and it will also help in the selection of that upgrade that will be shortly coming along!

goonz

That Pearsons is right around the corner from where I used to live! If only it had been there a few years ago! Think I will pay them a visit this summer.

Slo Mo Jones

Prhymeate wrote:

I've had some pains in my left hand for a while after riding and have always felt that my frame was a bit too large. I have never had a bike fit before so am considering getting one. I've only been riding a road bike for the last 10 months and have a Triban 3, so part of me feels that I'm better saving the money until I buy a new bike. However, seeing as the Level 1 BikeScience fit includes a setup of your current bike and a measurement report to help me figure out the best bike in the future, I think it could be worth it.

So, has anyone had gone to Velosport in Putney and had a Level 1 fit? What are your thoughts?

£89.99 for 75mins
The level 1 bike fit option uses traditional static bike fit measurements while the rider is stationary on the bike. An Excellent choice for people in the process of selecting a new bike and needing to know what kind of geometry is going to suit them best, or riders who need general guidance of a suitable set-up for their existing bike. The fitting jig used allows any geometry to be replicated or the fit can be performed on your own bike. The process ends with the mechanical set-up of your current bike and the production of a PDF report of the final set-up geometry.

Can you update on how you get on please? I'm sceptical about bike fittings, but live in Putney and given it's only £75 am tempted to see what they do.

prhymeate

Slo Mo Jones wrote:

Can you update on how you get on please? I'm sceptical about bike fittings, but live in Putney and given it's only £75 am tempted to see what they do.

Yea, if I go then I'll let you know. I live closer to Southfields and just dropped my bike in to cycleworx for a service. He said they offer a bike fitting which lasts about an hour and costs only £35. It's not shown on their website though and it did sound a bit like it was something they only offered if you asked for it so I'm not sure how 'technical' it is or how experienced they are. I remember reading somewhere on here that they set up David Millar's bike before he did the Richmond Park laps though, so who knows.

cerv52

I have recently had a level 2 with Bikescience at Tunbridge Wells and apart from being very interesting it has really improved my cycling. Average speed is increasing due to the better position and now I dont get aches and pains in my knees and wrists. Big thumbs UP from me

jibberjim

Il Principe wrote:

Go to the cyclefit franchise at Pearson down the road. The chaps at cyclefit do the fitting for RSLT and really know their stuff.

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/content/68/CycleFit/

Presumably you need to factor another 50 quid for a stem with another angle that you can really see that it's flipped?

A bike fit is not a static thing, so a report is not necessarily of much use, as your fitness / riding goals etc. all change so will the fit that is right for you, there is no magical single position that is right. If you have an issue in your fit which might be causing you pain, then you can look to address that without paying for a fit (and remember you'll need to pay for the components required to achieve the position too.)

il_principe

I went to Cyclefit about a year or so after I started cycling. Had been having issues with my knees & lower back which they helped to sort. I'd made the mistake of buying a bike online and then setting it up in a far too aggressive position. Guess this is fairly common. Over the years I refined things as I got fitter, stronger etc, but the initial fitting was a good learning experience in terms of things to look out for etc. Then a couple of years ago I had a discounted Retul fit. Was pretty happy with my position but wanted to see if there was anything that could be done to improve my efficiency. The Retul fit made a few minor tweaks, which (anecdotally) seemed to help - my times around RP improved for one, and climbing felt better. Of course it's hard to attribute how much of this was down to the fit and how much down to the fact that I'd been ramping up the time I spent on the bike.

One thing that neither fit has completely eradicated is my propensity to get a sore lower back if I push really hard. For example - last year after a day that pushing hard up the Tourmalet, my back was a complete mess for the last 10 miles home. I suspect that this maybe down to core strength as I've tweaked and tweaked on the bike with no joy. Problem is I hate exercising off the bike, have tired pilates etc, so I've accepted that I have to manage my back as best I can. I guess that if I had the time to ride more the problem might resolve itself.

I suppose the key thing is to buy your bike from a good LBS who will at least attempt a decent fitting at point of purchase, and then tweak as you develop.

prhymeate

I just had to drop £138 on repairs at my lbs so I might take them up on their £35 fitting service... £100 plus for a fitting is a bit to much for now.

lawrences

Unless you have a medical condition that causes immense pain then screw a bike fit on a 300 quid bike, just adjust to what feels good. Trial and error using short rides to test or the turbo.

Use this (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm) it's not some kind of magic gift that these bike fitters have. Since you know what's feeling good/bad on your bike/body better than they do, then if you do it yourself you can get just a good fit.

Only way I would justify a bike fit is to get cleats right if you get knee problems.

prhymeate

I got a call this morning from Ben at Cycleworx in Southfields. I'd just picked my bike up from there the day before and we spoke briefly about bike fittings. He said that he had a bit of spare time and would take a quick look at my position on the bike etc for free. It seems my positioning is okay and I'll probably have to get my hand checked out at the Dr's.

Anyway, that's what I call great service from your LBS so encourage anyone in the area to give them a try for repairs/parts etc if you haven't already.