This is the way to go. Buy the bike- get the LBS to set it up as best they can for you-Ride the darn thing-You to adjust the bike as things need it- allow for some body settling in- adjust to fit-Get over the saddle that came with the bike- And then when you cannot adjust any more to allow you to stay with the fast boys--look at a better more expensive fit.

Was just about to ask myself. Have never heard of that. Thanks.

DF = Diamond Frame. That's what bent riders call a standard frame bike.

Exactly! However, in past posts that have anything to do with fit or pain or saddles, the bent stuff always pops up as to how those on a DF are being fooled by marketing or who ever and that all DF riders should be on bents in order to solve all their problems. After a while it tends to get old. I have nothing against bents as I will most likely get one when I get to the point that I can no longer ride my road bike, but .......

As for your pro fitting, you will know when you need to get one done. I had one done when I purchased my first road bike as I had a long distance charity ride coming up the following month and didn't want to fiddle around with adjustments that I wasn't sure of doing correctly. However, don't get a pro fit strictly based on price. Do your homework before you agree to any LBS. Make sure the fit is exactly what you need and that the fitter knows what they are doing. I know too many cyclists that have gotten "pro fits" from their local shop only to have to go elsewhere to get it done correctly.

john v

For my part no. There is room for several different types of bikes. Mountain biking on single tracks is no place for a recumbent. But then I still say for long touring rides with as much as 10 or 12 hours riding is no place for a DF bike.

john v

For my part no. There is room for several different types of bikes. Mountain biking on single tracks is no place for a recumbent. But then I still say for long touring rides with as much as 10 or 12 hours riding is no place for a DF bike.

Just because way back the the 30s some ignorant self serving frenchman declared that a recumbent "was not a bike" is no reason for logical people not to pick the right bike for the riding at hand. Again if riding a DF bike getting the adjustment right is necessary.

+1.

Fitting a bike on a showroom floor will only get you in the ball-park imo. And short rides around the LBS parking lot and/or minor time spent on some sort of stationary stand will not take the place of real saddle time that accurately reflects the actual type and style of riding that you do.

Any competent rider (as stapfam and others suggest) should be willing and able to perform the necessary fitting/adjustments required by all but the most serious bicyclists and/or pros.

I'll also add my opinion that spending serious money on a "showroom floor/parking lot fitting" would often be better spent on buying a higher grade bike in the first place.

Thank you, I can agree to some of this.

But aye, there's the rub!

I can't consider myself a competent rider in this regard, which is why I'd like to get some professional input on fitting. It's like learning Yoga - sure, you can do it yourself, but it really helps to learn how to do the poses and transitions from a qualified teacher. After you learn what and how, you can then start applying those skills on your own.