WildBill

I've been having problems w/ my positioning on my bike and have been sticking primarily to 1 LBS that services and carries Specialized bikes.

I was in another LBS over the weekend, a high end one that carries Trek, Cannondale, Seven, Lemond, etc (no one else around here stocks LeMond and Seven) and they mentioned that they have a "fit kit" system where they spend about 1.5 -2 hrs positioning you to your bike, not just handlebar and seat adjustments, but thru a test bike & pc, then take those settings over and adjust your bike to match the specs.

Question is, is it worth $70? Anyone else here gone thru a similar fitting before? I'm not opposed to spending the cash on it, but only if it improves my overall ride and comfort.

They did say that you have to already have a saddle that you are going to stick with as that's the first step in the process and changing the saddle out midway would throw everything off.

I've got my first organized event this coming Sun, the Diabetes ride and if I could make the 60mile ride any more comfortable for my hands, back, neck, butt, etc...I want to do it.

lovemyswift

I bought my frame and fork 4 yrs ago. I never was comfortable with the saddle flat. If I rode it several days in a row I had shoulder and neck problems. Last summer I got medial epicondialitis in my elbow and still had some pain in my elbow when I rode this spring. I also bought a new mtn bike that was fitted perfectly to me and the more I rode the mtn bike the more convinced I was that something was wrong with the fit on my road bike.

I took it to the shop where I bought it and they could find nothing wrong. Frustrated and because I can't afford to irritate the elbow I went to another shop and had a Serrota fitting done. The fitting included checking my flexibility to rule out physical issues and a prototype bike was set up to show me how my bike should fit. It cost me $125 but it turns out I have short arms and the handlebars were 4 cm too low. That was the only thing wrong with the fit. Since my steerer tube was cut too short I had to buy a whole new fork and stem to get the 4cm that I needed. However, the difference is unbelievable, I'm so much more comfortable, I can reach the hoods and drops better, shift better and the pain in my neck and shoulders are gone. I can now ride with my saddle flat instead of "nose down". The handling of the bike is much better.
So the answer is "yes" it's worth the money.
Kathi

Joe Gardner

Most people buy there 1st road bike for looks, the 2nd for fit and function.

I had a 60min fit session long after I purchased my bike, the cost was $50 for the fit and $130 for a new stem and wider bar. Luckly, the frame size and crank length were close enough!

In the long run, I think time on the fit kit is well worth the investment, my comfort level and efficiency on the bike have greatly improved. If the bike fits you, you will spend alot more time on it. I say go for it.

lotek 

I fiddled with set up and fit for almost a year before I went into my LBS
and threw down for a fitting. Took the fitter about 10 minutes watching me
pedal, measuring angle of my leg etc. to move saddle forward 50mm or so
and to readjust bars. He also checked cleat to pedal interface.
He suggested a change in my posture, rotate hips forward and bend at lower
back (as opposed to roll lower back).
I am alot more comfortable at this point. He also kept measurements
in computer for when I come in to buy my next bike. . .
Yes, well worth it.
Marty

Thylacine

Well, not all fittings are created equal, but my answer, in a word, is 'yes'.

RobotSonic

when i bought my bike they fitted me right there and then. also they didnt charge me for swapping out the stem. i would highly reccomend getting pro fitted. i plan on going back as i have grown a bunch over winter and my adjustments are a little shadey

NZLcyclist

:O I should take up the offer my semi-sponsor has made me. Free fitting....

Semi-sponsor at the moment cause he sells me stuff at cost, and anything labour related he doesn't charge for. When I start getting results I might get more. hmmm just a matter of getting there cause its like over 60km away, with a harbour crossing.

Brendon

vrkelley

Is it worth the $70? Try blowing out a knee instead and see how much those Dr. bills add up. It's definately worth it.

When you go in for the RAD or Fit test, be sure not to rush the tester and try to pedal as closely to your normal stuff as possible in your cycling shoes and clothes. Some places allow free re-testing when you upgrade equipment too!

Raleigh_Rider

I found this thread to be helpful as I too am considering getting a professional bike fit thru Specialized. With all the different "fit threads" in this forum, its no surprise this one was "lost in space" and not expanded on since 2004!?

Would love to hear about others' experiences regarding getting professionally fitted, particularly with the Specialized Fit System. My local LBS offers the fit session at $50/hr and they say it takes approx. one hour.

Thanks in advance.

MKIV987

Definitely worth it. I spent $90 on a fitting session and it turns out my seat was too low and too wide. A new, adjusted Bontrager saddle later and I don't have any pain at all. The money I paid includes free adjustments when I buy clipless shoes or any other gear from the store. $70 sounds like a steal. Do it.

aggarcia

Wow, these "pro-fits" are cheap. In Houston the 3D pro-fit by Tad Hughes is 2.5-3 hours and $200. Tad came to a local bike clinic and he is amazing. He first tests for flexibily then discusses injuries and surgeries. You are then captured and everything about your fit is checked and adjusted. A lot of the racers and a close have used Tad.

I am a firm believer in his fit and and will schedule a fit in Sept once my kids go back to school. The costs is more than I would like to spend ( I am cheap), but everyone I know who has used Tad was very happen with the results.

Spend the money, what is your comfort worth?

zrossiter

wildbill,

goto Bikeworks on alexis by franklin park mall. it is my LBS, I am friends with the owners. They are great and actually care about what they do. They have a fairly new computer (Retul) system that sees how you ride and can tell you what exactly needs adjusted. It takes a while, and isn't cheap, but I've heard they are the only ones in a large area that have it.

sabazel

yes. yesyesyes.

yes.

yup.

yes.

Hunt-man

Yes, maybe. Depends on the fitter. I had a fitter hurt me, long story posted last year. Just be cautious. Most likely it will be a great help. Fit kit is straight forward.

bostongarden

Yeah, do it, why not.

urbanknight

I fitted my bike to myself for free. Of course, it took me over 2 years with many rides cut short due to knee or back pain. So you gotta decide what's more important: money or time.

Howzit

In most cases I would have said its a waste of time, but I say YES its worth it.
With age comes wisdom, (hopefully) and I realize now that I spend 6 to 8 hours a day on my bike some years ago. I had an old school attitude about such things... Usually responses would have been "ride it off son, dont be a whimp," or "the bike shop must be laughing all the way to the bank because of people like you." However, now as I get older, I realize that not all people are on the bike for 6 hours a day, not all people spend so much time enough to be able to get right down to the millimeter of what position works for them. My bike was fitted perfectly, but that's because I had done it the hard way, years of micro adjusting till I got it right.
As such, its VERY important that you use a shop to help you fit it.
I have so many regrets as to many things I didnt have access to, couldn't afford, or things I didnt know back in the day when I raced. I can only imagine how much difference it could have made.

Your health is priceless, no matter your attitude, be it based on youth, or simply being a cheap bastard who doesn't like to spend money because your a penny pincher. But believe me sir, coming from where Im from, its a small price to pay to make sure you get the right fit, and enjoy many years of healthy, fun filled cycling

Get fitted, and enjoy your rides... cheers!

Quel

I'd do that in a heartbeat. $70 for 1.5-2 hours? A 4 hour fit at a place near here is $425, and the 2.5 hour fit is $275, though I can't exactly tell what the extra 1.5 hours gets you. Both are Retul I believe.

Raleigh_Rider

Great advise regarding this important subject. Would love to hear about what other riders have experienced. Really good sharing of info that will benefit many. Thanks again all.

roadiejorge 

If after you research how to fit yourself on a bike and cannot achieve the right fit then it's money well spent because discomfort on a bike will lead to not wanting to ride it.

Nachoman

I had a good fitting quite a few years ago that eliminated all knee pain.

Raleigh_Rider

Good point but I'm not sure if I would need to swap out stems, saddles, etc. in order to achieve the best fit. Thus might be best to save my time and novice effort and put out $50/hr for the evaluation from a pro.

Eclectus

Getting other people to fit you sounds good to me. I prefer fitting myself just because I like playing with things. I think I am pretty good. because I have set riders from 5'7 to 6'2 on the same frame, all happy riding to 35 mi. I love dialing things to make people happy.Being uncomfy is a bummer.

johnybutts

My fit was done by Tad... He works miracles, can't say enough good things. I've actually taken several bikes to him now.

ctcycler

I have used three bikes in the last year or so. 1st bike was an old one that I first started riding on, which was the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Relative gave me a frame and I built that up and got a shorter stem and narrower handlebars, but still not comfortable. Finally I bought myself my third bike and got a pro fit, and let me tell you it was the best thing I could have done. I ended up with yet a shorter stem than I had ever ridden and some of the little adjustments have made a world of difference. I have just gotten back on the bike after an early season knee injury, and I did my first 30 miler the other day and I was so comfortable on the bike it was a dream. Definitely go and get the fit, and good luck!