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Bike Fit Recommendations in Gloucestershire area

peteb0peteb0 Posts: 58
edited December 2014 in Road buying advice
Hi all

After a few years of 'fitting' the bike myself, and in preparation for building a new bike from the frame up over the autumn/winter, can anyone recommend a good bike fitter in the Gloucestershire (or wider) area please?

I've had a search on the web which has pulled up some names, but I'm looking for experience based recommendations if possible

Thanks

Posts

  • holiverholiver Posts: 729
    I used Bike Science in Bristol which was my first experience of a bike fit and I think it was a good. I have a bike which doesn't destroy my hands!

    They had me on the static rig to try to get some stack and reach figures for me to look for in frame geometry rather than fitting an existing bike.
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • pigeontoespigeontoes Posts: 73
    I used Worcester University. Very thorough and professional, bike is a really good fit now.
  • peteb0peteb0 Posts: 58
    Thanks both; I'll check them out. I had thought of universities but forgot to check Worcester for some reason!
  • pak-manpak-man Posts: 76
    Performance Cycles in Poulton near Cirencester. They do a retul fit and are a top lbs.
  • opusver21opusver21 Posts: 56
    Dynamic rides in warwick also do retul....not too far away

    http://www.dynamicrides.co.uk/bike-fit-studio
  • peteb0peteb0 Posts: 58
    Cheers both; I'd come across those names but personal recommendations are always appreciated!
  • GrillGrill Posts: 5,610
    holiver wrote:
    I used Bike Science in Bristol which was my first experience of a bike fit and I think it was a good. I have a bike which doesn't destroy my hands!

    They had me on the static rig to try to get some stack and reach figures for me to look for in frame geometry rather than fitting an existing bike.

    Used Bike Sciene- terrible.

    Go see Chris at The Triathlon Shop in Bristol.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • peteb0peteb0 Posts: 58
    Any particular reasons why they were so bad?
  • GrillGrill Posts: 5,610
    peteb0 wrote:
    Any particular reasons why they were so bad?

    Over-reliance and way too much faith in Retul and KOPS. Saddle way too high, bars too high, saddle too far back. My position isn't even close to how they suggested I should fit.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • mercia_manmercia_man Posts: 1,431
    Grill's response doesn't make sense to me. If Bike Science rely too much on KOPS, how come they set his saddle too far back?

    I recently had a fit at Bike Science Bristol as part of a new bike purchase. Found it a useful experience even though I've been riding seriously since the mid 80s and felt I had my position already sorted. I can recommend Bike Science.
  • GrillGrill Posts: 5,610
    Mercia Man wrote:
    Grill's response doesn't make sense to me. If Bike Science rely too much on KOPS, how come they set his saddle too far back?

    Because in the correct position for me my knee is quite a bit farther forward than the BB (especially in the case of my TT bike which is what the fitting was for). KOPS is a guide, not a rule.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • peteb0peteb0 Posts: 58
    Thanks all. Some conflicting feedback so I may give Bike Science a swerve as there seems to be plenty others around!
  • peteb0peteb0 Posts: 58
    Update: I have booked a 3D bike fit at Worcester Uni in a couple of weeks time. Bargain with my student discount.

    I'll let you know how it goes
  • mfinmfin Posts: 6,726
    I have a friend who's a great TT rider and he went to Bike Science Bristol and was not impressed with where they put him at all, he said he should have known better than to bother, he put his position back to what it was when he got home. I think he also had issues with how careful they were being with his bike. Obviously they might have more than one fitter though.
  • peteb0peteb0 Posts: 58
    A bit of a delayed update but better than nothing:

    I had a full 3D fit on their fitting rig in August with Mark. After going through some measurements, flexibility tests and ensuring my cleats were correctly set up, we then spent ~2hrs firstly getting the seat correct before then moving onto reach and stack. Then discussed the geometries of the bikes and sizes I was looking at to see what could work best. Pick out 'my' bike (Supersix Evo 58), mirrored it on the fitting rig and settled on stem length and stack height. Also discussed bar width, crank length etc. The 3D motion capture was backed up with video and my pedalling form could be discussed. At all steps, Mark explained to me what was going on (admittedly in 'engineering' but I'm sure he could do the same in 'english') and he made sure I went away knowing all of the key numbers. A written report then followed.

    I was offered to spend another hour with them once I had the bike and had put some miles on it, so went for a second visit last week. We ended up adjusting the seat a little (possibly due to the different crank length versus the fitting rig) and discussing any future tweaks. My position, while not a million miles away from where I had 'fitted' myself, feels right and I expect it to stand up well. I also understand much better the effects of any changes I may make.

    Mark was very professional and clearly knew the subject. Also great to chat bikes/biomechanics/etc with. Thoroughly recommended to anyone in the area.
  • de_sistide_sisti Posts: 1,283
    peteb0 wrote:
    Mark was very professional and clearly knew the subject. Also great to chat bikes/biomechanics/etc with. Thoroughly recommended to anyone in the area.

    Cost?
  • peteb0peteb0 Posts: 58
    Mine was at old pricing (with student discount on top) but website says £150 for the full 3d fit

    http://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/bikefit.html
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