I rode with Karen last night and asked her the same thing. Her original fit was so good he changed nothing -- Other than took her money ... :eek:
This is what I fear. Well, okay, my hips rock, so something may need fixing, but for that much $$?!

I rode with Karen last night and asked her the same thing. Her original fit was so good he changed nothing -- Other than took her money ... :eek:

Yep, and I gave him my money!
What an idiot I am, I SHOULD have said something...
$200 is a lot if money for me, I could have bought more PINK jerseys with that money:) :)

Honestly, I was kind of disappointed!:( :(
He did not change ANYTHING, nothing!!
I was on the trainer and he had something up on the computer (not sure what it was called).
He said everything looked fine, the bars, the seat, etc.
He talked A LOT. He said I should work on getting my cadence up, and watch my posture
On the bike, but that was it.
He still charged me $200 (The regular price for the Ergo fit)
I wasn’t going to give a bad review at first because I wasn’t sure if I was wrong
In thinking I was over charged.
But I have had a couple of days to think about it, and I am kind of irritated.
I don’t think he should have charged me the full price for not changing a thing!!
Oh well, I paid it and left, I guess I should have said something.
I was just expecting SOO MUCH more because of all the rave reviews I have heard.
I think he was very nice, but I already knew everything he was saying (about keeping a high
Cadence, etc)
That's really odd. So your fitting is perfect ... no toe in/toe out ... your upstroke/downstroke is completely perfect? Your form is so perfect, there is no room for improvement? Sounds like a real scam to me! Maybe report this to the BBB?

That's really odd. So your fitting is perfect ... no toe in/toe out ... your upstroke/downstroke is completely perfect? Your form is so perfect, there is no room for improvement? Sounds like a real scam to me! Maybe report this to the BBB?

Yeah I guess i am PERFECT...LOL!
this is why I waited a couple of days to think about it.
But basically the ONLY thing he said I could do was get up cadence up and that in turn
would give me more power and efficiency.
BUT I know that about cadence!
Know I just need to spend more money and get a cadence thingy...

Yep, and I gave him my money!
What an idiot I am, I SHOULD have said something...
$200 is a lot if money for me, I could have bought more PINK jerseys with that money:) :)


Karen, you most certainly are NOT an idiot. That is never a comfortable position to be in and you did what any of us would have done. I've been toying with the idea of getting fitted myself. If it's any consolation, you are providing excellent feedback so that others on here may determine if this is right for them or not. Don't sweat it - just know you have a great fit on your bike and keep hitting them hills! :)

Karen, you most certainly are NOT an idiot. That is never a comfortable position to be in and you did what any of us would have done. I've been toying with the idea of getting fitted myself. If it's any consolation, you are providing excellent feedback so that others on here may determine if this is right for them or not. Don't sweat it - just know you have a great fit on your bike and keep hitting them hills! :)

Thanks ME:) :) :)

Karen, how about sending him a nice email expressing exactly how you feel about the fitting session? I'm sure if anything needed correcting, he would have made adjustments accordingly. Although I can sympathize how being charged so much money and having absolutely no physical corrections made on the bike can be questionable. Perhaps your fit was perfect to begin with. :)

Karen, how about sending him a nice email expressing exactly how you feel about the fitting session? I'm sure if anything needed correcting, he would have made adjustments accordingly. Although I can sympathize how being charged so much money and having absolutely no physical corrections made on the bike can be questionable. Perhaps your fitting was perfect to begin with. :)

I agree with George, at least now you know your position on the bike is correct, the fitting has confirmed that. In that sense he may have overcharged, he is still entitled to some compensation for the service provided.

I feel that you were lucky in that your fit was so right on. All the people I know that have been fit have had adjustments made and those adjustments have led to greater comfort and more power.

I was last fit about 2 years ago, I will probably get fit again early next year. I look at fits like a physical, as my body changes, fitness level, flexibility, etc. I feel that I need to be refit. When you consider how many times we flex the hip & knee joints any misalignment over time can cause damage. I enjoy cycling too much to be sitting on the sidelines because my joints will not allow me to cycle again because of wear & tear.

Well, he certainly should be compensated, but perhaps these guys can offer services that come with a caveat - if he discovers that your fit is just fine, $100, if alignments need to be made, $200 - that type of thing. Otherwise, I can certainly understand Karen's frustration for paying a very high price to be told she's doing everything right. And whatever happened to, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" theory? If you feel fine on your bike, assuming that a "fit" is going to vastly improve you is just setting yourself up for disappointment and loss of money that can be spent better elsewhere. This is why I'm reluctant to go shell out the $200 to being with. Just my humble opinion...:o

so did you have a chance to experiment lowering your seat?

so did you have a chance to experiment lowering your seat?
For a minute there, I thought you were asking about a recent date of mine...:p ;) Um...the bike saddle seat thingy? no...:o Not yet, anyway. After this weekend, I'm going to do it, I swear! I want to ride with solid hips. :D

On the other side of this issue is; how many "fitters" have made unnecessary changes because they wanted to justify their fee. Kar3368 paid the man for is time and he didn't feel the need to make changes to justify his charges.

That's true.

For me though (no pro fitted (yet?)), it brings up the question of whether a bike fit is necessary if you're not having issues. If one has rode a few centuries without much noticable problems, can a $100 bike fit uncover something? What about a $200 or a $300 fitting that checks for more things? I guess it depends on whether the bike is already close to the "perfect fit".

It's always nice to know that you're in the most optimal riding position; whether it's for performance or others (e.g. proper pos so it won't cause injuries). :)

That's true.

For me though (no pro fitted (yet?)), it brings up the question of whether a bike fit is necessary if you're not having issues. If one has rode a few centuries without much noticable problems, can a $100 bike fit uncover something? What about a $200 or a $300 fitting that checks for more things? I guess it depends on whether the bike is already close to the "perfect fit".

It's always nice to know that you're in the most optimal riding position; whether it's for performance or others (e.g. proper pos so it won't cause injuries). :)



I wouldn't think that an improper fit would always be painful, maybe just not as efficient as possible. When you first started, your seat was way too low, but did it hurt?

I sometimes wonder if someone’s evaluation of a fitting doesn't just justify the money that they spent, kind of like spending tons of money for a bike, you feel is should make a difference, so it does.
I once had a nice table saw for my woodworking, but I needed or wanted a better saw, I wanted the mighty Powermatic 66. Well after a few years I found a way to buy it and you know what I found out? Except in extreme cases, it was no different than the saw I had. When my wife asked if it was worth it, I told her without pause that it was worth every cent.
Just from the fact that all fitters don't fit you the same says something to me.

JMO:)

:lol: Thanks! I've already asked a few local shops for pricing. Just trying to decide whether to really do it and if so, at which price point.

:lol: Thanks! I've already asked a few local shops for pricing. Just trying to decide whether to really do it and if so, at which price point.

I've been thinking about doing it for some time also. I took my bike to Santiago Cyclery about a year and a half ago to have some things checked after installing a CC and not only did they do nothing that I asked them to do, but they made crappy remarks about my set up and asked me who did my bar tape. Instead of the guy just coming out and discussing a fitting with me, he had to be an *** and insult me instead. So the person who is purportedly the most qualified to do the job is the last person I'd go to, so instead I've put it off in hopes of finding someone better that's not in LA, and at a time when I have the cash to spend.

Sorry to bytch, I had to much MSG @ lunch.:mad:

To be honest, I don't feel myself rocking at all. I feel fine and I love the way my bike handles. However, I've had so many riders comment on my rocking the hips thing, that I feel I should check it out at least. Biting Duck had noticed last September but then told me that one of the top racers at the velodrome rocks her hips as well and that it may very well be just my particular riding style (i.e. innate and nothing will change it).

here is a good thing to try, from Bike Fit 101 (http://www.caree.org/bike101bikefit.htm):

Seat Height
Adjustment: Dress in your biking duds and put the bike on an indoor trainer or position yourself and your bike in a doorway, so you can hold yourself up while pedaling. Have a buddy sit behind you and watch. Then raise the seat until, as you pedal backwards with your heels on the pedals, your legs are completely extended at the bottom of the stroke. If you have to rock your hips to reach the pedals the seat is too high.
How to do it: The Allen bolt that holds the seat post in place is on the side of the frame by the base of the seat post. Pedal backward until one pedal is completely at the bottom. Your heel should just be able to touch the lower pedal with your leg straight so when you place the ball of the foot on the pedal (ball over the center of the pedal) your knee will bend. This is a great starting place for seat height.

Good luck!

First: if you're the kind of person that has lots of money and likes to be pampered and made to feel special, go get a "boutique" fitting. It probably won't hurt.

If you're the kind of person that wants to be fast and comfortable on a bike, I'd keep the MasterCard in the wallet. There is no guru who can make a few tweaks to your bike and cure your lifelong butt pain while cutting an hour off your century time. You hear anecdotes, but you also hear anecdotes about psychics on TV.

Additionally, there's a lot of "new blood" out there; folks who've realized they can fleece bike riders. $200 to tell someone they look great on the bike is criminal. It's a very dangerous environment for your checkbook these days.

Back before the Lance boom, "fitting" was done by experienced riders in your local club, and it was done for free. It didn't included aromatherapy, self-image counseling, or fantastic predictions as to future performance, but it did result in proper fit. These folks can still be found, if you ask around a bit. Try to find someone who's been on the bike for more than a decade, and not just the local fast guy who earned his cat. 2 on the merits of one good season. Those familiar with Velo Club LaGrange can ask for Wes Oishi. He's a grumpy old ******* but he'd be happy to ensure you're set up on the bike correctly for free, as long as you don't bug him with questions about matching your helmet color to your aero wheels.

For folks who really need to spend some money, go to Bill Ron in Redondo Beach. He started racing before most of us were born. He was the '84 Campagnolo Olympic mechanic, and he's on the staff of the U.S. national team. He knows his business and I just got off the phone with him to ask about fittings. He says he charges between $85 to $100 for a "full" fitting (anyone who will charge less to only work with part of your bike should be avoided as a charlatan) and it will take about an hour (anyone who takes three hours is either confused about what he's doing or is charging by the hour.) Again, no crystal therapy or healing touch, just solid work from a man who knows his business.

</grump>

First: if you're the kind of person that has lots of money and likes to be pampered and made to feel special, go get a "boutique" fitting. It probably won't hurt...


</grump>

Thanks, Grump. ;) I like your kind of advice. :D

I really try not to have anything against the folks who like to spend money and get the treatment. It's a whole lot different from the sport I grew up with, but c'est la vie.

The only real grump I have is that a lot of folks are getting the idea that they have to drop two or three hundred bucks to get their bikes set up or they'll be behind the curve.

Fitting is not a black art. The basics can be learned through books or online, and the few subtleties can be explained by an experienced rider. Then you have to go out and ride your *** off, because that's the only thing that's going to make you good -- and is far more important than paying someone hundreds of dollars to move your seat a couple of millimeters.