Northeast - Very Best Bike Fitter in Western/Ctrl. Mass?

Folks,

I've got some problems with my knees that I think trace back to bike fit. (I've been through the orthopedist, the PCP, the physical therapist and one very good bike fit, and have been working at this for about a year).

I recently moved to the Amherst/Belchertown area, but am willing to travel an hour or more for a fit session. I'm looking for the single most excellent bike fitter in the area. Preferably someone who combines high-tech tools, depth of training in a proven system, and lengthy experience and common sense.

This person has to be cracker-jack, because my bike has been fitted by one of the best in the state (head of the fit department at Belmont Wheelworks), and I'm still having some trouble (though it's better overall).

Thanks in advance!

Bumpin' this -- someone must know of someone!

How about Laughing Dog Bicycles, 63 So Pleasant St, Amherst MA.
413-253-7722 Serotta bike fit tech: John Cormier.

I've had a Serotta fit, and it wasn't all that 'scientific'. I am also looking for a good fitter, and I would be willing to travel a decent ways to find him/her. I had a thread going in here about fitters and a few in the VT/MA/NH/CT areas were listed. The thread is probably in on the first page still if you're interested.

I will be keeping an eye on this one as well.

Try Brian Case at Fit to Ride (www.fittoride.com), he's in Somers, CT, right over the border from Longmeadow. I've not done a fitting with them, but have met Brian and would not hesitate to go with him if I were looking for a fitting.

Sorry it took a couple days to catch these posts -- for some reason, I didn't get subscribed to my own thread!

Thanks for the tips, guys. I've been to Laughing Dog a couple times. Don't know which one John is, but I had a not-so-great vibe from the place, both times. It felt to me like they really didn't care if they got my business or not. There was also a little touch of cycling snobbery. I really dislike that, even though I am a confirmed roadie and know all the stats, brands, and jargon. Maybe I just caught them on two bad days... (Likewise Competitive Edge -- also a very laissez-faire, loosely-run feeling there.) I'd be very open to hearing differing opinions.

Anyway, I'm hijacking my own thread! Back to fitters...

I'll look into Fit to Ride -- sounds interesting. Thanks, mpfgc. Rankin, I'll look for your thread, too, though apparently, it didn't yield anyone you like!

Anyone else recommend anyone?

Anyone have any experience with Joe's Garage, up on Rt. 9 in Haydenville?

I got a fit in Greenfield from Jamie Pelletier...

He came up from Fit To Ride...

http://www.fittoride.com/Fitting/tabid/472/Default.aspx

He used Dart Fish and a computrainer...

My best fit of many...

I do not know if he still comes to Greenfield but give him a call...

try fitwerx (http://www.fitwerx.com/) - they are in boston environs and waitsfield, vt.
did a fantastic job when i built up my if.
had knee wobble / soreness that they figured out.

but bring the pocket book. the session isn't too bad - but i ended up swapping stems and having insoles made... and also getting a size up in shoes.

I'm a satisfied customer of Grace Bicycles in Holliston on Rt. 16. Roy used to do the fittings for Seven, is trained in several methods, has all the latest tools (Retul, Serotta, Tacx, video, custom shoes, stock and custom frames, etc) as a devotee of the cyclist, not the method or brand.

I don't think it's the fit.

Your intuition is correct, there is misalignment. But I suspect your body is
where the problem is. One leg could be longer than the other, you might be bowlegged, or it's opposite. Look at some old sneakers, is there more wear on one side or the other?

Anyway, Foot Fitness works with a sport orthotics company. The guy
that runs the company is an avid cylist and comes to Foot Fitness once or twice a year.

He is very good at figuring out minor misalignments.

http://www.wedofeet.com/

I don't think it's the fit.

Your intuition is correct, there is misalignment. But I suspect your body is
where the problem is. One leg could be longer than the other, you might be bowlegged, or it's opposite. Look at some old sneakers, is there more wear on one side or the other?

Anyway, Foot Fitness works with a sport orthotics company. The guy
that runs the company is an avid cylist and comes to Foot Fitness once or twice a year.

He is very good at figuring out minor misalignments.

http://www.wedofeet.com/

how is this not fit?

how is this not fit?

He needs to deal with issues that most bike fitters don't deal with.
I wish they did.

He needs to deal with issues that most bike fitters don't deal with.
I wish they did.

bikes should be fit to the rider, not the other way around. this includes leg length, knee wobble, back trouble, etc.


my fit took care of my knee misalignment - and most fitters* should be able to determine if leg length or other special cases are affecting comfort on the bike... that is their job.


*and i'm talking about pro fitters here, not the guy at the bike shop who watches you pedal while he raises and lowers the saddle and adjusts the stem. a good fitter will have knowledge of biomechanics, understand flexibility, core strength and how it affect comfort, etc. etc. etc. they guy who swaps stems at the shop is not a 'fitter'.

That Fitwerx place looks cool. How much does it cost? If I can afford it, I'll
try it.

That Fitwerx place looks cool. How much does it cost? If I can afford it, I'll
try it.

fitwerx $$ varies...
i thought they had a list on the site... but you can give them a call for a quote.

i dropped $800 - but that included new SIDI shoes, a new stem, and custom insoles.
i don't remember how much the fit cost.