DirtyDragon

Anybody know a place to get a good cheap bike fitting? I know pacific bicycles does one and so does mike's bikes but they are above 100 bucks. I'd prefer to spend less. Thanks!

jinws

I have a feeling a lot of people will tell you how important a fitting is and to just spend the money upfront. Are you looking for a fitting so you can have an idea of what size bike to buy? or fit to your current bike you already have?

mwu

I'm interested to get feedback on this too. I have a couple bikes already, so I'm more interested in learning the concepts on how to properly fit a bike (both to adjust my current bikes and for future purchases), rather than a fitting to a particular bike.

I've read up on different things, but have always been interested in a professional fitting. I figured it'd be worthwhile for me, as I already spend a minimum of 65-100 miles on my bike per week due to commute alone (1-car family).

powpow

I think the best way to do this is to get a frame size by doing the Competitive Cyclist and Wrench Science fit calculators. After you get a frame size, buy your bike, but tell the shop you need a professional fitting and you may need to swap out the stem, seatpost, handlebars etc. In this economy, they should be happy to oblige. If they don't offer a good fitting, go to someone like Curtis Cramblett in San Jose.

There is really not much of a point in doing a fitting before buying a bike.

powpow

Keep in mind that a good pro fitting may cost you much more than $100, probably $200+, but it's worth every penny to get the right fit. A good shop should throw in a fitting after you buy the bike, but the quality of the fitting may be questionable depending on the shop.

ROJA

What do you guys do for multiple bikes? I hate to pay (even if it's a reduced amount) to get each of my five bikes adjusted to the specs derived from the fitting.

powpow

Once you get your seat height, reach, fore/aft, etc. dialed, you can try to mimic the specs on your other bikes. Sometimes it's a little more difficult with mountain bikes, but definitely doable.

mwu

Great input. Thanks powpow. I don't mind paying a hefty amount, as long as it's to someone who knows what they're doing, and I'm going to learn something from it.

jinws

I believe Ramon got a fitting awhile back that he was very happy with. let me see if I can dig that post up.

Gee3

I had a friend get fitted at Summit Bicycles in Burlingame. The CalTrain station is right across the street, i beleive, if you don't have a car. They charged him $75.

steelblue

Sports Basement charges $75. If you buy a bike from them the fitting is included.

johnny99

What do you want to get out of a "fitting"? I think some of the people here are talking about very different services.

Tapeworm21

What's a fit worth to you? I'll do it for ya as long as you can work around my schedule.... like evenings in east bay. You'll have to buy the stem you need from a shop but I can get it pretty dialed. Don't want to mention credentials here. Let me know if interested... I have all the tools. Trainer, fit kit, adjustable stem that does length/angles, and a fridge full of beer. Only catch is again... it doesn't include a stem.

groundzero

I think BikeNut charges ~$60 if you are looking for cheap.

If you want to splurge and get every aspect of your riding analyzed and tuned then hit up Ari at Bespoke Cycles. ~$250 Highly recommended.

DirtyDragon

Thanks for offering to get me fitted. How much were you looking for? I'll buy you a 6 pack of your choice of brew. Where in the eastbay are you located?

FiveThirteen

Scott or Colin at StudioVelo in Mill Valley. They did a Retul fit for me and I recommend them highly. More expensive than what you are looking to spend, but a bike fit is not where you want to skimp.

mwu

Funny you should mention this! I was just signing on to post about this. I was in Noe Valley w/ my wife over the weekend and had a chance to drop by Bespoke. Talked with the guys there for about 20 minutes or so, and sounds like exactly what I was looking for.

I really don't consider $250 too much to spend considering the amount of time I spend in the saddle. Don't want to look back 15 years later and realize I could have prevented some silly injuries if I had only spent that $250 once.

SkyeC

I'm also looking for a fitter-- I'd like to get my cleats, seat height and fore/aft set up "correctly" as I've been having a bit of knee pain lately after I get home from rides and don't want it to turn into a big problem. Would prefer someone with a background in physical therapy/biomechanics. I was recommended Curtis Cramblett but he is in Ecuador at the moment.

vdlima

Hi! How was your experience with Ari. I just signed up for a session next wednesday, the price is now $275

I saw Terry Shaw in Santa Clara a week ago for $100 and he tended to focus more on pedaling technique rather an fit.

subframe

Just saw this thread.

I can highly recommend Jamaica at City Cycle. He made sure to take the time to talk about my fitness, injury history, etc, then proceeded to quite thoroughly measure me, the it was onto the sizecycle. Every nuance was discussed, adjusted, readjusted, etc. I appreciate his non-dogmatic approach - if something felt right but looked wrong, he wasn't dead set against it 'just because'.

In the end, the bike I built to the specs I got from that fitting is incredibly comfortable. I'd been plagued by upper-back/shoulder pain for years, but no more. My cleat and shoe fit is perfect as well. I basically never notice my feet, no matter how far I ride. It's very nice indeed.

He's also just a nice guy.

fogrider

fitting is more an art than science. a few years back, I developed a pain in the knee. I'm talking numbness and barely able to walk after riding for 30 miles. this was after riding for years on my bike. Tony at A Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito was able set me up - adjust my cleat and tweak my saddle and like magic, no more pain. he really knows what to look for and he makes it simple...