Bike fitting without a bike. Is it possible?

jspash

I just got a new bike and thought I'd treat myself to a proper fitting. The guy at the shop assures me that I don't have to bring my bike along to get fitted. They will just look up the specs online, then adjust their Fit-o-matic 3000 (or whatever it is) to the correct dimensions. I can then take a print-out of a bunch of numbers, and somehow adjust the bike myself.

He wasn't the pushy salesman type, but something about this procedure seems odd. He didn't even mention that I needed to bring my shoes along until I asked how they plan on setting my cleats?

So my question is, can you get a proper bike fit without your own bike? Or is he just trying to get my cash?

BTW, this is a reputable bike shop, not just some greasy wrench on the high street that makes most of it's money flogging hi-vis belts and patch kits.

Wirral_paul

I'd suggest he's talking a load of rubbish - whats the point paying for a bike fit if you then have to transfer the numbers to your own bike. Chances of getting it right from measurements is very low. Even if you get it right - wont it always be in the back of your mind that it may be wrong?

I wouldnt go for any bike fit if the final tweaks weren't done on your own bike.

jspash

Thanks for the reply. That's what I thought.

Just to clarify, I bought the bike elsewhere. Not at this shop. They area highly regarded top-end shop in Islington (take a guess) so I figured they were above tactics like this. Oh well. Off to the bike whisperer...

Cygnus

I've never heard of a bike fit without a bike before. I suppose it is possible in theory if you manage to get the measurements spot on but that's a big if.

Moonbiker

I'd avoid that shop sopunds like he is taking the piss.

andrewjoseph

There are a lot of places that can do a bike fit without a bike. They can do this to ensure you buy a bike of the most suitable geometry.

My wife a bike fit like this years ago at bike dock bristol.

However, she did need to bring her cycling kit and shoes to make sure she was comfortable on the bike. From memory they reccomended saddle higher and shorter stem.

So it may be worth doing, but may have been better before buying the bike.

slowbike

You can of course do a bike fit off your bike - it's only the dimensions that are needed to replicate it on your own bike. My brother fitted me to my bike and when I got a new one I transferred the dimensions to the new one - it helped that it was the same geometry so I didn't need to convert ...

The advantage of fitting on a fitting machine is that adjustments can probably be made quickly and easily whereas adjusting on your own bike will take a little bit longer.

My other brother had a fitting for his bike - not on his bike, but on a fit machine - and the dimensions were then replicated on his new bike.

That said - if I had a bike fit done, I'd like the fitter to transfer the dimensions onto the real bike rather than rely on my probably inaccurate measurements ...

cswitch

I'd go Cyclefit rather than the bike whisperer. Ive used both and Cyclefit was a much better experience for me - certainly seemed to have much more knowledge of bio mechanical issues. Bike whisperer didn't even check for range of motion, massively too high saddle height which resulted in a lengthy and niggling bout of ITB. It was a while ago so maybe since Steve hogg training he's got better. Just my experience. Probably many have had good experiences.

Speckled

When i bought my new bike i was given a free bike fit using their wattbike in the store, he just transfered all the settings off that onto mine.

It was free so i thought why not, but i wasnt happy and ended up going back to a fitter i'd seen before.

littledove44

I am going to have a custom bike built, so the " fit" has to be done off the bike.

Can't see a problem with having someone decide what the best setup for your body is and then setting the bike to match it.

The only question for me is where to go. Don't seem to be many options need Southampton.