[First timer] new Bike and Bike Fit

benalexandert

Hello there. I'm Benjamin Alexander and I live in Greece.

I have a cheap trekking bike that I'm riding at the moment but I want to upgrade to a decent road bike. My question is about bike fitting. After the research I've done about it, I found out that there are 2 types of bike fitting. One that you go with your bike and the other with a machine like a bike (i have no idea what is called). Since it's my first time getting a road bike I'm guessing that I'm going to need the second one?? And if so, what happens next? Do I get everything I need to, to go and buy a new bike to the correct size and then setup saddle handlebars, etc?

Also unfortunately in Greece, there are 2-3 bike fitters in the whole country and they are far away from me. So I'm probably going to buy a bike and get a bike fit somewhere near the Birmingham region or Frankfurt region when i will be visiting friends. Any suggestions there?

Thanks in advance and sorry if something is not clear.

slowmart

Specialised concept store Birmingham, it’s s a short cab ride from the city centre

https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/bike-fit/


If you are in the market for a new bike I’d email the store to see if they are offering any deals as it’s comkng to that time of year.

The only consideration is if you do buy a Specialized bike, can you get warranty support in Greece?



Or you could ask a local bike shop for a test ride, and start tweaking the set up with their help. Most informed cyclists should be able to set up a decent base line. If you choose this route, one small adjustment at a time and log and measure what you move. The latter suggestion for me seems the most prudent, it keeps the solution local to you and you build your knowledge.

benalexandert

Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with bike fitting and I don't want to risk it by taking the wrong size bike. That's why I'm asking mostly about what do I get if I take the bike fit. Do they tell me what geometry I should buy and what dimensions or bike suggestions? I don't know what's the procedure and I didn't find a lot of details. Most articles are about getting a bike fit once you bought the bike. I want information about bike fit without a bike and if that's actually a reliable way to get the correct bike.

P/S: I have trouble translating my thoughts in English, so sorry if something doesn't make sense.
P/S2: So the bike fit at specialized will cover the necessary requirements for buying a bike?

Matthewfalle

Russ @ Lutterworth Cycles, 15 mins or so from Brum.

Really nice guy, nice shop.

#recommendation

kingrollo

Hmmmmm

I would disagree with your assumptions:-

1.Most manufacturers will have basic size chart - ie 5ft 9 you need a medium - this is a good starting your point for buying the right size bike.

2.You might find that after a bit of meddling with saddle height - you don't need a bike fit. As I got older I benefit from having the fit 'bang on' - if fact I get aches pains if I don't - If you're not having any issues - and feel good on the bike - you might not need a fit.

3.The people who you buy your bike from will offer you a fitting. These really aren't much benefit at all IME - you would probably get to a similar position yourself.

Then there are the specialist systems - retul seems to be flavour of the month - but again IME this is only as good as the guy doing the fit.

Or you can go to a dedicated fitter - I have used adrian timmis (Cadence sport)- about 30 miles from brum - no fancy lasers or diagrams he puts you and youre bike on a turbo and uses an expertly trained eye to set you up correctly - Ive took 3 bikes there - not cheap @ £110 - but I always get the desired result - a pain free bike.

StillGoing

Mike at Bike Dynamics in Leomington Spa. Top guy and physio too.

alanyu

You can do a bike fitting on a simulation bike @ Specialized via their Retul fitting, and it requires: jersey, bibs and cycling shoes.

The fitter will measure and test your body function first, and then you will pedaling on the simulation bike and adjust everything. The whole process can take 3~4 hours. You will get the size and the primary setup after your fitting, and a detailed report after maybe one week.

However, the problem is: if it's your first time on the drop bar road bike and your ability is not well developed, your ideal setup will change rapidly as you are riding and getting used to the road bike. So it may be not so wise if it's not convenient for you to do a fitting as you may need that for a second or third time.

Another choice is a easy sizing first, e.g, shimano static. The fitter will measure your body and the computer will calculate the bike positions. It's not so accurate, but good enough to determine the bike size. After two or three months riding, you may be used to the handling, and then a dynamic fitting result will be more suitable for you.

laurentian

Matthewfalle wrote:

Russ @ Lutterworth Cycles, 15 mins or so from Brum.

Really nice guy, nice shop.

#recommendation

Nice guy, nice shop but nearer an hour from Birmingham than 15 minutes

pilot_pete

The key is to get the right sized frame for your first bike. A good bike fitter will be able to size you and then recommend a bike that will be the correct size. It is a minefield because each manufacturer does their own thing when it comes to sizing their frames, so for example a medium in one brand may not be anywhere near the same size as a medium in another brand.

As mentioned by others, every manufacturer will produce a size guide which will list the frame geometry for each of their sizes. This will be the first port of call once you know roughly what your dimensions are. Again, you may need a size that goes against what their geometry chart lists as ‘ideal’ for your height because your physical dimensions are not ‘average’ - for example, two people can be 5’11” tall, but one has really long legs and a shorter torso and the other shorter legs and a long torso. See? Minefield for the uninitiated!

To determine a starting benchmark a fit using a jig could be very helpful. This will give a number of measurements and the fitter will be able to look at the geometry charts for any bike you are considering purchasing and recommend the right size frame in that manufacturers range of sizes. Once you have the bike you will invariably need fitting to the bike post purchase to get into the ideal riding position. As mentioned above this will change quite rapidly as you adapt, get stronger and do larger and larger distances.

It could well be worth asking if a fitter will size you and then fit you once you get your bike - some may throw in the initial fit at cut price just to size you if you pay up front for a full fitting to be done once the bike has been purchased. It could be that just seeing you and looking at your dimensions the fitter will be able to tell you which frame size would be best.

Best of luck with it.

PP