Bike Fitting – Without a Bike

fat_homer

I’m looking to buy a new bike at the minute, but with no shops I trust locally, I’m going to be buying online.

Question is, are there any companies that offer a fitting session prior to buying a bike (none of the local shops offer this), to make sure you buy the right bike, before a proper fit once you’ve bought a bike?

I’ve seen the likes of the Competitive Cyclist online fit calculator, which I’ve had a play with; just not sure how much I trust it and my measuring!

At a smidge under 6’ with a 34” leg and using the Competitive Cyclist calcs I should be riding something with a 560mm toptube and 110mm stem, but on my Boardman (570mm toptube, 120mm) I can clearly see the hub in front of the bars. This maybe down to setup as I’ve never really changed anything from the day I bought it off eBay!

Sorry for the waffle!

ai_1

I would think any bike fitter could do this but you might pay the same as a full bike fit.
I've only had a single bike fit and it mostly consisted of putting me on my bike and setting up to suit then giving me a set of ideal dimensions (in his opinion) if I was to buy another bike. However I know some bikefitters use an adjustable rig to get the position dialed in before transferring it to your bike. The rig can equally be used to specify the bike if you don't have one yet.

menthel

Places do it all the time on jigs. Its how condor fitted me for my italia.

patrickf

I used the competitive cyclist site to work out the frame size I wanted. It wasn't too bad - just make sure your measurements are accurate.

Recently had a fit by Adrian Timmis at Cadence Sport near Burton. I'd suggest giving him a call.

In terms of my fit, no parts were changed so the calculator must have been gold enough.

jonny_trousers

Just sneakily try a couple of different sized bikes around what someone of your size would normally go for (a 56 and a 58, I'd guess) from a shop like Evans and see what feels best.

Forget about that, shouldn't be able to see the front hub, old wife's' tale. If you're comfortable, you're comfortable.

BrandonA

menthel wrote:

Places do it all the time on jigs. Its how condor fitted me for my italia.

I've never seen a jig but to me this is how a bike fit should be.

When I got my S-Works I had to choose the frame size I wanted and get the bike built before the bike took place. My fit therefore fitted me to my bike. What you describe sounds more logical as they are fitting you to a bike.

Steve236

fat_homer wrote:

I’m looking to buy a new bike at the minute, but with no shops I trust locally, I’m going to be buying online.

Question is, are there any companies that offer a fitting session prior to buying a bike (none of the local shops offer this), to make sure you buy the right bike, before a proper fit once you’ve bought a bike?

I’ve seen the likes of the Competitive Cyclist online fit calculator, which I’ve had a play with; just not sure how much I trust it and my measuring!

At a smidge under 6’ with a 34” leg and using the Competitive Cyclist calcs I should be riding something with a 560mm toptube and 110mm stem, but on my Boardman (570mm toptube, 120mm) I can clearly see the hub in front of the bars. This maybe down to setup as I’ve never really changed anything from the day I bought it off eBay!

Sorry for the waffle!

I also have a 34" inside leg and am a few millimetres short of 6' and I can see my hub in front of the bars. Of all the fit rules that are supposed to be myths, this one has caused me the most problems. I swapped my 100mm stem for a 120mm to hide my hub and after a year of playing around with my position, it wasn't until I put the 100mm one back that I got one I'm happy with. (KOPS and the 109% seat height rule have worked for me though).

giant_man

Forget any online calculators, they're not reliable if you haven't got a clue. That is the best way, for someone WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING to get you on their bike jig and measure from there. I'm not sure what there is in Leicester, but in the same position, I would go and see Paul Hewitt in Leyland, Lancs. He does know what he's doing.

You will come away with a detailed schematic drawing with sizes that you can apply to any frame you fancy which you want to know what size is right for you.

menthel

BrandonA wrote:

menthel wrote:

Places do it all the time on jigs. Its how condor fitted me for my italia.

I've never seen a jig but to me this is how a bike fit should be.

When I got my S-Works I had to choose the frame size I wanted and get the bike built before the bike took place. My fit therefore fitted me to my bike. What you describe sounds more logical as they are fitting you to a bike.

http://www.condorcycles.com/workshop/co ... tting.html

Condor have a video but they are not the only ones that use one of these interesting contraptions...

No "system" with computers etc- they have the geometry for every model they sell and then can vary all the components that will affect the fit. Its all done by someone whom knows what they are doing. It was such fun I want to go and buy another condor...

Doris Day

Try this.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store ... orBike.jsp

Adam1985

Im from leicester and recently just bought a bike from rutland cycles in whitwell...

I cant praise them enough, excellent knowledge of all types of bikes, huge range of stock.

Well worth a trip, they do a full fitting package all the details are on thier website.

There is also a giant store 5 mile from rutland cycles thats excellent too

giant_man

gosh, how long have you worked for them?

team47b

BrandonA wrote:

menthel wrote:

Places do it all the time on jigs. Its how condor fitted me for my italia.

I've never seen a jig but to me this is how a bike fit should be.

One for sale on ebay.it

holiver

I had a fit done at Bike Science in Bristol before I decided on my Kinesis. Used a jig like the above to get me into a comfortable position that took a lot of the weight off my hands. Definitely a good thing to do in my opinion.

andyeb

Most good bike fitters will do what's called a "new bike consultation" and get you setup on a jig. Be nice and they might even transfer the fit to your new bike, once you've bought it.

littledove44

I have tried half a dozen online bike "calculators". They have come up with top tube measurements from 51 to 56 cm. Clearly there are multiple measurements that are needed. Some ask lots of questions. Some ask few.

My preference would be to go to someone who has no vested interest in selling me a bike or a frame. Happy to pay for a really experienced professional who knows how to calculate what dimensions you need for your body and type of riding. If you end up that a standard frame will fit so be it. There s a lot of adjustment in saddles, stems etched. If it is not possible to accommodate your needs without custom building then so be it. At least with a custom fit you would know why you are paying.

Moonbiker

Have tried half a dozen online bike "calculators". They have come up with top tube measurements from 51 to 56 cm. Clearly there are multiple measurements that are needed. Some ask lots of questions. Some ask few.

Would be an interesting experiment to get 5 different bike fits @ 5 different places & see how much the dimensions vary.

I suspect the results would be quite alot of difference as it think its more of an art than a science what do you reckon?