Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
I don't think self-fitting is a great idea...
In other respects, if you're mechanically inclined then go for it.
Agreed on the self fitting but, I can feel what's off with my posture and such in terms of comfort. I do have a fitter and will be going back to him next week. The other upside is due to the experience I can speak better to him and hopefully garner results.
Originally Posted by
RoadTire
Sounds like you are having quite an adventure. What are the tight margins you mentioned? Fitting margins? If you are getting that close, and it really matters, then finding a good fitter should be your next move. However, having experienced riders with you giving immediate feedback as you ride is also valuable. They can watch your leg extension, rocking hips, back profile, arm profiles, etc.
And once I get it all set up, I'll probably go in for a fitting just to see what changes the fitter suggests. Might be educational. And might just be backwards.
Doing all your own maintenance is as you said, priceless. Even if you take the bike into the LBS, you will know when the job is muffed or done right.
My cockpit isn't as comfortable as I'd like it to be, I like being in the drops, but the hoods seem a bit far away and I'm on the elbows of the bars. My stem is 90mm 0 degrees with spacers below. What I wanted to achieve is being able to stretch out a bit more in the drops and have a smidge less twitchy feeling in the front end. I'm starting to think that my frames top tube length is about 10-20mm too much, not allowing for compensation up front. I do have a set back post...
I do need to get involved with a group of riders...hopefully this Summer.
Originally Posted by
Kayotee
Just had that same experience myself. I had gotten a new ergo bar and was uncertain how best to position it's angle compared to the old regular curved ones. I ended up having to add more and more angle, about 3 times, and each time I'd have to unwrap the damn tape, shuffle the hoods, and then spend 10 minutes staring at the hoods doing the "are they level? They aren't. No they are, I'm just crazy. No wait they aren't" routine. My only solace was that the next time I need to set up a new cockpit I'll be a pro.
lmao, yup!
Originally Posted by
turky lurkey
IMHO it is well worth it to learn to work on your own bicycle. If you can work on the bike it is not a big deal to try different things with fit, gearing, etc.. Plus if you learn to work on your own bikes they will always be in great mechanical condition. At the first sign of a funny noise, missed shift, or strange/loose feeling somewhere you can figure out the problem and fix it.
Agreed, it saves money and in the end you can really tailor things to yourself. I do most of the typical maintenance on my musical instruments as well.
Originally Posted by
Homebrew01
I don't tape the bars until after I've ridden it a few times, and take tools to make adjustments mid-ride.
That was the lesson learned.
