Do I need to be fitted?

[nakedsushi]

My annoying knee pain (see here: http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=291074&page=2) still isn't going away and I'm scheduled to see a doc on Thursday, but in the meantime should I think about getting my bike fitted?

I always thought that getting fitted was something that serious bikers do. I don't plan on racing or anything. I just want to ride my bike to/from work, around town for errands, and a casual group ride every couple of weeks.

If I do need to get fitted, how much should I expect to pay, how long is it supposed to take, what exactly do they do, and can anyone recommend a good fitter around LA?

[old and new]

Serrota has a good system,it's a brand of bike,many LBSs have that or another system.If you were asking this question in buying a bike ,I'd say "not necissarily" BUT you have a knee problem;pedal-shoe-cleat placement,seatpost set-back,stem,maybe..any number on things may help.Other fit systems work,I gave you a name to throw-around.Any LBS will SAY they fit,you need a real fit.Fits to suit those individuals with problems require specific aspects to be addressed,including how you adjust your bikes seat etc.

[BigSean]

I would suggest it. I just did it last week and paid $200, but it can be more and it could be less.

[WhiteCarbonDude]

Get fitted! The best money I ever spent ($130) on my bike. It took about an hour and a half. I had a serious knee injury on the bike and I thought I was done. After my fitting, my first century was pain free. Now I am a much faster rider. I'm in the OC and I would highly recommend Robert Kahler of Santiago Cycling. Just my two cents.

[BCIpam]

Truly believe a good fitting is worth it's weight in gold. Since my last fitting I've had no knee, back, neck or shoulder pains. a fitting will also help you efficiency of stroke and other good things meaning you have greater power output.

Kahler is not my favorite but many like him. If you indicate where you live, I might be able to recommend someone in your area.

[merider1]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an excellent fitter in the Los Angeles (preferably SFV) area? I've had many comments made to me about how my hips rock when I ride and now that I'm not riding any double in the next month or so, I figure I should get it checked out.

[spingineer]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an excellent fitter in the Los Angeles (preferably SFV) area? I've had many comments made to me about how my hips rock when I ride and now that I'm not riding any double in the next month or so, I figure I should get it checked out.
So I guess this means you are not doing Eastern Sierra or Grand Tour? I enjoyed hearing you yammer so much on the Santa Barbara ride. Was looking forward to the same on GT.

[merider1]

So I guess this means you are not doing Eastern Sierra or Grand Tour? I enjoyed hearing you yammer so much on the Santa Barbara ride. Was looking forward to the same on GT.

I never said I wasn't doing either...I haven't decided yet. But for now, I need to be fitted and I'll think about that later.

[tprevost]

I never said I wasn't doing either...I haven't decided yet. But for now, I need to be fitted and I'll think about that later.

I'm finally getting a fitting done in a couple of weeks... looking forward to seeing if it makes a difference :p

[roadfix]

Yep, same here. I'll get it done one of these days at a fitting party.

[spingineer]

I never said I wasn't doing either...I haven't decided yet. But for now, I need to be fitted and I'll think about that later.
I kinda enjoyed seeing the rocking motion ... kinda soothing :p

[roadfix]

I've had many comments made to me about how my hips rock when I ride

Here, let me fix that for you: for starters, try lowering your seat 1/4". :D

[spingineer]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an excellent fitter in the Los Angeles (preferably SFV) area? I've had many comments made to me about how my hips rock when I ride and now that I'm not riding any double in the next month or so, I figure I should get it checked out.
Lynn has been pretty happy with Phase IV in Santa Monica. It's a sports therapy center run by a physical therapist, Robert Forster.

Robert Kahler at Santiago Cyclery is also good, but he's all the way in Tustin.

http://www.phase-iv.net/

A good fit is NOT cheap!

[Scootcore]

ive heard good things about the guys at sundance cycles in agoura...

[merider1]

Here, let me fix that for you: for starters, try lowering your seat 1/4". :D
You think so? Bob told me the same thing. He thinks I don't listen to him, but I do. Hmmm...maybe I'll do that tonight.

[merider1]

I kinda enjoyed seeing the rocking motion ... kinda soothing :p
Well, as much as I'd like to suckle and sooth you guys on rides, I'm really more interested in having better power output. :rolleyes: ;) :D

[merider1]

I'm finally getting a fitting done in a couple of weeks... looking forward to seeing if it makes a difference :p
Great, Trac. We'll both be fitted by Memorial Day! I can't wait to see you. :)

[roadfix]

You think so? Bob told me the same thing. He thinks I don't listen to him, but I do. Hmmm...maybe I'll do that tonight.
Most definitely, try lowering your seat. I'm constantly fiddling with my seat height and position. Be sure to mark your seatpost before you do anything so you have a reference point.

[spingineer]

Great, Trac. We'll both be fitted by Memorial Day! I can't wait to see you. :)
Oh great ... now you'll enjoy seeing my hips sway that weekend.

[Scootcore]

i raised my seat a bit once we got back from SB and its seemed to help alot! that and putting the extra 40 pounds of air that i didnt have on saturday back in!!!

[tprevost]

Great, Trac. We'll both be fitted by Memorial Day! I can't wait to see you. :)

for some odd reason, I'm pretty excited about this fitting... I'm convinced that it will help me maximize my effort! and yup, mine's on the 12th :p

[merider1]

Most definitely, try lowering your seat. I'm constantly fiddling with my seat height and position. Be sure to mark your seatpost before you do anything so you have a reference point.

I'm going to do that tonight or tomorrow, I guess. Maybe I can sweet talk Herb into helping me. ;) I'm nervous about moving my seat at all. But that's because I've suffered with severe knee pain on rides before and haven't had an issue since I bought this bike. Maybe my hips rock cause they're padded? :p

[tprevost]

I'm going to do that tonight or tomorrow, I guess. Maybe I can sweet talk Herb into helping me. ;) I'm nervous about moving my seat at all. But that's because I've suffered with severe knee pain on rides before and haven't had an issue since I bought this bike. Maybe my hips rock cause they're padded? :p

nah... if your hips are rocking, you need to lower the seat. Start out in teensy increments... like 1/8 of an inch and test... don't make any major adjustments all at once. As someone else said earlier... don't forget to mark where it is now so you have a reference point! (I've already made the mistake of not marking the post and know its a PITA to start all over!)

[spingineer]

I'm going to do that tonight or tomorrow, I guess. Maybe I can sweet talk Herb into helping me. ;) I'm nervous about moving my seat at all. But that's because I've suffered with severe knee pain on rides before and haven't had an issue since I bought this bike. Maybe my hips rock cause they're padded? :p
IMHO, I would go for the fit. You might need some shims installed on your cleats to accommodate for the positioning of your pedal strokes. It's more expensive, but a professional fit will be well worth it.

[herbm]

yup..rockin hips is caused by the seat being to high...we can help adjust it for ya!

[merider1]

yup..rockin hips is caused by the seat being to high...we can help adjust it for ya!
:love: This is why I love men...love them...loooooovvvvvveeee them. You guys will always help if we just are nice enough to ask/beg/plead/look helpless. :o :D

[merider1]

IMHO, I would go for the fit. You might need some shims installed on your cleats to accommodate for the positioning of your pedal strokes. It's more expensive, but a professional fit will be well worth it.
Well, I'm going to try lowering my seat first and then work my way to the fitting if need be. :)

[jschen]

I haven't rode with you lately, but do your hips rock whenever you pedal, or only when you're in a relatively aero position? If only in an aero position, you may need to raise your bars a bit or work on your flexibility. With my relative lack of riding recently, my saddle feels higher than before (despite no changes) because my flexibility has plummetted.

[tprevost]

Well, I'm going to try lowering my seat first and then work my way to the fitting if need be. :)

oh my goodness woman.... go get fitted!!!!! :p

[merider1]

I haven't rode with you lately, but do your hips rock whenever you pedal, or only when you're in a relatively aero position? If only in an aero position, you may need to raise your bars a bit or work on your flexibility. With my relative lack of riding recently, my saddle feels higher than before (despite no changes) because my flexibility has plummetted.
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).

[Indolent58]

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).

This is a perfect example of how men and women will never understand each other.

They say you have "rockin hips" and you think they are referring to bike fit. :rolleyes:

[roadfix]

To be honest, I don't feel myself rocking at all.which is perfectly normal....like most irregularities in form, some one else needs to point that out to you.

[Go_Fast]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an excellent fitter in the Los Angeles (preferably SFV) area? I've had many comments made to me about how my hips rock when I ride and now that I'm not riding any double in the next month or so, I figure I should get it checked out.


i'll need to evaluate your "hip rocking" in a personal session.

then, we'll decide what "fits" you best.

[DaveSANYYZ]

:lol:

Over the weekend, I went over to B&L in SD to ask about bike fitting. This is the one Mo went to. They told me they have a few price levels, $95 to $250. The cheaper one is stem+seatpost; and the latter includes cleat positions.

To me, the question is if I don't seem to be having major issues while riding other than being very slow, is the cheap one "useless" (because I felt ok in century rides); and does the $250 require more bike sensitivity/skills in order to give proper feedback to the fitter which I lack.

[spingineer]

Well, I'm going to try lowering my seat first and then work my way to the fitting if need be. :)
Well, I can't call myself an expert. I'll be the first one to admit if I am wrong. Be interesting to see what happens.

I did go to a Physical Trainer specializing in cycling. He had cameras to the side and front of me. It's amazing when he measured me and let me know how much I was bowing in and out. I usually pride myself on my form, but I could clearly see how my knees were not going completely vertical. That's when he played around with shims on my shoes, seat positioning, and cleat positioning.

[dauphin]

i'll need to evaluate your "hip rocking" in a personal session.

then, we'll decide what "fits" you best.
http://www.pacfit.com/worth.gif

[ronjon10]

I think you should return your Garmin and use that $$ to get the a fitting. If you aren't uploading rides to the computer, the garmin isn't worth it. There are cheaper computers that give odd elevation readings that don't have the battery or conk out issues.

A good fit is priceless, yet costs less the $200.

[awiner]

Not to be picking on anyone, but ME, I have noticed you have an interesting pedal stroke. Your knees seem to point out a bit. Have you ever noticed that ?

[dauphin]

that's a reaction to admonitions from Nuns...

[spingineer]

Not to be picking on anyone, but ME, I have noticed you have an interesting pedeal stroke. Your knees seem to point out a bit. Have you ever noticed that ?
Same problem I had ... might require cleat adjustment and shims.

[DaveSANYYZ]

We don't need pics, we need videos! :D

[vc_rider]

ive heard good things about the guys at sundance cycles in agoura...

I've heard they use the Serotta system. Anyone know what they charge? I've been thinking about being fitted as well.

There's also this one in Thousand Oaks - http://bodyfix.net

[Go_Fast]

i don't think anyone wants to see me on video.

[bbp]

I've heard they use the Serotta system. Anyone know what they charge? I've been thinking about being fitted as well.

There's also this one in Thousand Oaks - http://bodyfix.net

I also recommend Dr. Rich Cimadoro from www.bodyfix.net. Not only is he a doctor but he's a Cat 2/Masters 35+ racer. After getting a bike fit from Eddie Monier at Veloworx I still had some knee problems. Eddie recommended me to Rich and he helped me a lot in terms of pedaling mechanics to help my knee. He is a little pricey but he knows what he's talking about when it comes to biomechanics. He also has a computrainer w/ spin scan so you can check out your pedaling efficiency.

After the fit he sent me an e-mail with all the things we discussed and pictures of my before and after position and spin scan efficiency. I was very pleased with his bike fit and highly recommend him to anyone who has any sort of knee problems or just needs a bike fit. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about my bike fit and experience.

[merider1]

Not to be picking on anyone, but ME, I have noticed you have an interesting pedal stroke. Your knees seem to point out a bit. Have you ever noticed that ?
My knees go out on climbs when I'm fatigued, but generally I keep them in (or so I've been told), but the hip rocking I have been told about more times than I can count. Knees going out would be a sign of too low a saddle, yes? And hip rocking too high, yes?

I think I do need to be fitted. :(

Thanks BBP - I'll check those references out.

[nesdog]

I also recommend Dr. Rich Cimadoro from www.bodyfix.net. Not only is he a doctor but he's a Cat 2/Masters 35+ racer. After getting a bike fit from Eddie Monier at Veloworx I still had some knee problems. have any questions about my bike fit and experience.

You did the full $275 deal?

I've been considering a fit lately. Ever since I switched saddles (Avatar to an Alias), I've not been quite right, despite my best efforts to get everything lined up. This office being in TO is close by my home so it's a good location for me. However.....is it worth $275 if all I need are a few saddles tweaks?

(does he take insurance??)

sheldon

[bernmart]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an excellent fitter in the Los Angeles (preferably SFV) area? I've had many comments made to me about how my hips rock when I ride and now that I'm not riding any double in the next month or so, I figure I should get it checked out.

A guy named Brandon runs a fitting/training business out of InCycle in Pasadena. A bit of a drive for you, ME, but he's really good and his prices are reasonable. I'll PM his website to you when I get home this evening. I had him do a "comfort" fitting for me, and while he said most of my own settings were pretty close, the changes he made helped a lot. Not, God knows, to make me faster, but to be more comfortable and relaxed on the bike.

[nesdog]

You did the full $275 deal?

I've been considering a fit lately. Ever since I switched saddles (Avatar to an Alias), I've not been quite right, despite my best efforts to get everything lined up. This office being in TO is close by my home so it's a good location for me. However.....is it worth $275 if all I need are a few saddles tweaks?

(does he take insurance??)

sheldon

Oh,. I see I could do the $200 one as I don't need any injury stuff.

[jpconrad]

A guy named Brandon runs a fitting/training business out of InCycle in Pasadena. A bit of a drive for you, ME, but he's really good and his prices are reasonable. I'll PM his website to you when I get home this evening. I had him do a "comfort" fitting for me, and while he said most of my own settings were pretty close, the changes he made helped a lot. Not, God knows, to make me faster, but to be more comfortable and relaxed on the bike.

I've had a comfort fit and performance fit done by Brandon and both have been great.

ME, you really should get a fitting.

http://www.tricentrictraining.com/

[merider1]

A guy named Brandon runs a fitting/training business out of InCycle in Pasadena. A bit of a drive for you, ME, but he's really good and his prices are reasonable. I'll PM his website to you when I get home this evening. I had him do a "comfort" fitting for me, and while he said most of my own settings were pretty close, the changes he made helped a lot. Not, God knows, to make me faster, but to be more comfortable and relaxed on the bike.
Thanks, Bernie. Actually, Incycle isn't far from me at all. Please do PM the website. :)

EDIT: Nevermind, John posted the website. Thanks, John! :D